Wellbutrin Causes Hair Loss?

Posted over a year ago

I didn't know Wellbutrin causes hair loss, but was curious because my hair is coming out in handfuls. It is especially bad when I take a shower, but will come out all throughout the day if I run my hands through my hair. Initially I thought it was ... more »

I didn't know Wellbutrin causes hair loss, but was curious because my hair is coming out in handfuls. It is especially bad when I take a shower, but will come out all throughout the day if I run my hands through my hair. Initially I thought it was residual from Depakote, which I stopped taking 2 months ago, but I couldn't imagine Depakote still being in my system after 2 months. I wasn't on a high dose, only 750 mg. and only for four months. I am still on Wellbutrin. Was on 100 mg a day and now upped to 200 mg a day. Wish I knew for sure though about what was causing this hair loss. I've lost so much, I had to cut my long hair to my chin. It's so thin, it sticks to my head and looks terrible. I hope it grows back.

6 Replies

Tara12 - i thought it was just me....i started taking wellbutrin 6 weeks ago, i was soooo happy there were no side effects (that i thought) still had my sex drive, no weight gain, and it supposed to help me quit smoking too!!!!!!!! thought it was a WONDER drug! after 4 wks.....my hair started falling out! FAST!!!!! i will just drink alcohol like i used to instead! xoxo

Posted over a year ago - Reply

Livingdeadgirl - It took me a few months of being on 300mg XL to notice but yes, the longer I was on it the thinner my hair got. And I pretty much got anorexic. I never ate and was completely dehydrated. I didn't get any bald spots but my hair thinned out by at least 33 percent.

Posted over a year ago - Reply

Livingdeadgirl - Once I went off the wellbutrin it only took my hair about a month to go back to normal. Just stop taking the drug.

Posted over a year ago - Reply

Nbchis - livingdeadgirl: If you never ate and were dehydrated that could have caused hair loss.

Posted over a year ago - Reply

Idontlikethis - The reason i went on this site is because of hair loss. I have been on Wellbutrin for about 6-8 months. I started on 150mg a day increasing to 300mg a day. Yesterday while parting my hair on the side, I noticed that i can see my scalp! The part is wide. I parted my hair towards the back and noticed a huge difference! The back part looks normal. I have fine hair as it is and this balding is scaring me. After reading some of these posts, I am inclined to think that my hair loss is due to the Wellbutrin. This is such a disappointment for me because the drug has been very helpful for me. But since it is more anxiety than depression that i suffer from, I think I am going to wean myself off of these and use the Ativan as need, which is not very often at all

Posted over a year ago - Reply

Pearsontop - Wow. I have been on this medication for 3 weeks and thought that it was just me. I am also experiencing a lot of hair loss. The reason for my going on this medication is because of going through a divorce as well as trying to complete grad school. One of the best side affects that I am experiencing is that I have a lost of appetite. If I would have been told that hair loss would take the place of feeling like crap, not sure if I would have started. I have a follow-up appointment with my doctor in a month but wondering, should I stop cold turkey or continue to go bald!

Posted over a year ago - Reply

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