hair loss with lexapro

Hi everyone,

Thank you very much for sharing this information, it is helping so much right now. I have been on a very low dose (5mg) of lexapro for three years. My hair was thinning a little during this time and changing texture, but I thought it was just age related, though everyone in my family, including grandparents, have tons of hair. In April of 2009 I upped my dose to 10 mg due to a very stressful situation. In July I started losing tons of hair, and I am still shedding at an alarming rate. I just cut my hair short for the first time in my life, and that has helped a little. I quit lexapro when I found this post about a week ago. I will post again and let everyone know how long it took to stop the shedding. After reading the posts here, I have some optimism that it will grow back. I am trying to stay positive. I have so much anxiety right now, I almost have a panic attack every time I wash or comb my hair.

I have always taken my nice thick hair for granted, and I am so surprised how upset i am by this. I don't want to leave the house right now. I would appreciate any feedback on hair experiences post lexapro, and I am happy to answer any questions.

Hi,



I just wanted to let you know you're not alone. I posted about a month ago, but am still very much suffering from my hair loss. Some days are better than others, but I still always seem to think the worst. I've been to the dermatologist, who seems to not think twice about antidepressants being the cause of my hair thinning/loss. I think she is completely wrong. Every morning I dread getting ready for work, because I know I'll have to deal with my hair issues.... yet again.



I go back to the dermatologist for a scalp biopsy in two days, so I'll definitely post the results. I have been off of Lexapro for approximately 2.5 months. I do see some regrowth when I part my hair, but I'm very impatient. I know the stress I'm dealing with is not helping the hair loss situation at all, but I'm not really sure how else to deal with this. It truly does help to read these posts, and to know we're not alone.



Good luck :)

I am a 31 year old female, was on Lexapro for 2 months and then quit (not cold turkey, but still too quickly, which I DO NOT recommend, because I suffered from the most horrible withdrawals for one week - though in comparison to others here, seems to be short and I am lucky for that). I quit because I started to notice a lot of hair loss. My hair is long and used to be quite beautiful and healthy. I looked online, saw that Lexapro causes hair loss and stopped as soon as I could. It has been 2 months and I am still losing so much hair. From all the posts here, I can't tell to feel hopeful or dismayed. According to posts, it takes 3 - 4 months to stop losing hair, so it seems it's not even close to stopping. :-(

Has anyone with really long hair (mine is nearly to my waist) experienced a positive hair-regrowth experience. I don't want to cut what I have to make up for the regrowth which will surely take years to match what I have in length.

And has anyone tried natural products to stop it/stimulate growth - there are some natural shampoos with biotin, etc...

I don't know..... :-(

I googled "lexapro and hair loss" because I was suspicious that lexapro was the reason for my current hair loss. I can't begin to tell you how upsetting this past year has been for me. Taking a shower, combing my hair, going to the hair salon, and noticing how my friends seem run their fingers through their hair without losing a single strand makes me feel helpless. Growing up, I had the thickest, most beautiful curly hair. Hair stylists would always comment on my hair when washing it "my gosh you have such thick hair!" Now, my hair is so thin that I can't even keep it pulled back in a ponytail without the rubber band sliding right off because there is not enough hair to keep the rubber band in place. I can't even believe I am writing this- who would have thought the girl who used to complain how thick her hair was is now sobbing at how thin it is- and I am only 26 years old. I stopped taking lexapro five days ago, and today I am starting to take vitamins- Biotin is known for helping hair grow, as well as a multivitamin. I will let you know what happens. I am taking Wellbutrin now and if I find evidence that it causes hair loss I will stop taking it too- but since I just started wellbutrin and since i have been taking lexapro for two years I know the suspect here is lexapro.

if chemo patients can lose all of their and have it grow back just as thick and beautiful as it was, then i have no doubt that all of us who have lost hair because of lexapro will return to our normal head of hair.

I am a pharmacist...... 14 years now, when I was in college I was started on Prozac... gained 30 pounds, so after a year I got off cold turkey...... I've been on and off of antidepressants now for 18 years. I to have always had thick hair, I was on a low dose of Lexapro for about a year.... didn't notice any hair loss. 7 years later, now being on Lexapro for almost 2 years now (20mg), I've notice significant hair thinning, especially at the front hair line!!! As a pharmacist, you would think I would have all the answers...... MORAL, NO ONE knows everything...... it took me 4 months before I started questioning my meds..... sadly, we all have to do our own research and be responsible for our own bodies...... read, research and ask tough questions of your medical professionals!!!

I was on Lexapro for about 5 months and weaned off slowly when I felt better. I noticed my hair thinning after I went off of it and now it has been about three years and it has been shedding like crazy for the last two and a half years. I have been to numerous doctors who say numerous things but they all tend to poohoo me when I mention the lexapro. I have been told that I have low ferritin, that I have normal ferritin, that I have insulin resistance, that I don't have insulin resistance( I'm positive that I do), that I have normal thyroid function, that I have low thyroid (I'm pretty sure I don't), I've been told it's because I'm fat (only 25 pounds overweight, I don't think it's normal to go bald from that amount of overweight), that it's female pattern thinning, that it's telegon ellufium ( or however you spell it), I've heard everything and I'm exhausted.

Did anyone else stop the Lexapro and have continued hair loss? Did it ever stop? Or reverse? Please, please respond if you've had a similar experience, any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

I started taking 10mg of Lexapro about four months ago. I already had a short hair cut and was patiently trying to let my hair grow back. Approximately two months ago I began noticing the excessive shedding and thinning around the front of my head. At first I assumed that I was shedding more than normal due to it being winter. However, lately I've also noticed that the texture of my hair had changed. My hair was already very fine and somewhat thin naturally so I'm devastated by the amount of hair loss I've had over these last few months. Yesterday I went to my hair salon and my stylist told me that something was going on because I was losing way too much hair. This morning it came to me that I didnt start losing my hair until after I got on the lexapro. I googled lexapro and hair loss and here I am. I'm quitting cold turkey. I'm hoping that it doesn't take to long to get out of my system and that my hair starts growing back soon. I'll definitely come back to keep everyone updated.

I am 24 years old and have little family history of hair loss. I was experiencing hair loss when I was on lexapro. The only problem I have is I was also on Enalapril, Prograf, and prednisone, which all also cause hair loss. I have always had great hair and it was incredibility thick but now I look like I am 50. Its very hard for me to deal with in some ways because I though of myself as attractive. I am now off all the medications and I still see major hair loss. It seems to be general and without much pattern to it. That is a hopeful sign I suppose, since that means its more likely telogen effluvium. I really hope that’s what it is, being bold is no fun. I was on anti-depressants because eof my illness(FSGS kidney disease) and the side effects of the other drugs, one of which is depression. It actually seems to be getting worse now after I have been off the meds for about 10 months. It might be just because I see it now or I finally lost enough hair to see the effects.

I really hope it comes back. I am far too narcissistic to survive without my hair.

I've been on Lexapro for just over two years. Started on 10 mg, bumped up to 15 mg for about a year, then have been very slowly tapering down. I'm taking 5 mg per day now.

I am a 22 year old male with short hair, but enough to gel and style on top. A few months into taking Lexapro I noticed my hair becoming thinner, dryer, and duller. Even hair gels wouldn't take the same to my hair. I never experienced any hair loss, just thinner, dryer texture. Simultaneously, I also experienced less oil production on my face, which was a welcome side effect as i had overly oily skin, but over time, my skin started to become duller as well.

As I've been tapering my lexapro dosage, I've recognized my hair becoming somewhat thicker again. Hoping that when i stop comletely soon, it will restore itself to its old form.

I am so glad i found this site. I have been on lexapro for about 7 years. I was taking 10mg until about 5 months ago my dr increased the dose to 20mg. Around this same time i have noticed my hair thinning very badly in the front! I have a couple of bald areas where the hair is completly gone. Everytime i wash my hair i loose more and more. I have been really upset about this and couldnt figure out what was going on but after reading this i believe i may have found my problem!!! Can someone tell me how long they were off the Lexapro before they noticed the hair regrowth? I am 31 year old female who doesn't want to be bald!!!!!

I began taking Lexapro approximately three months ago and began experiencing hairloss. I've noticed it most in the shower and in my hairbrush--this has never happened before and definitely correlates with the time that I began taking Lexapro. I spoke with my MD, who stated that it could be alocpecia or stress and also ordered thyroid function test. I just had my blood drawn today, so I won't have those results for a couple of weeks. I talked to my hairdresser who told me to try Sulfate free shampoo as these can contribute to hair loss as well. I went out today and purchased the shampoo/conditioner that she suggested. I've been off the Lexapro completely for about a week and a half and have not noticed any improvement on my hair loss situation....I'm terrified that it won't stop falling out. I've even noticed eyelashes and eyebrows falling out. This is causing a great amount of anxiety. Lexapro was great for controlling sx's of anxiety/depression, but I can't say that the benefits outweigh the risk anymore. Good luck everyone.

So it's not just me!

I've been on LIFE CHANGING Lexapro for almost 4 years now and luckily do not seem to be losing my hair at such a rapid pace as many of the posters.

I was hoping some one might have more details about the hair loss, i.e. where it first appears to start thinning & the progression.

I have DEFINITE thinning along the forehead and temple. I am regretting all the wishful thinking of finer, thinner, more manageable hair when I was younger...

I also have TWO OTHER HAIR & SCALP SYMPTOMS THAT NO ONE ELSE HAS MENTIONED
and wonder if anyone else has experienced either of these aging & embarrassing possible side effects:

HAIR RAPIDLY TURNING PREMATURELY GREY?

SCALING SCALP W/ "BUMPY" OR "CLOGGED" HAIR FOLLICLES THAT SLIGHTLY RESEMBLE A BLACKHEAD OR SMALL PIMPLE?

The scaly scalp/bumps sometimes become EXTREMELY itchy and may bleed easily?

Lexapro has saved my life, LITERALLY, and I can not suffer through another brain-zapping, numb limbed, nearly suicidal withdrawl.

I have been on & off a wide variety of other medications & anti-depressants and this is the very medication that allows me the comfort-ability to live in my own skin without constant fear. Except for the fear I feel each day as I examine my scalp.

I have a friend with Alpecica (sp?) and as much as I adore her lovely wigs... I WANT MY HAIR, and THICK!

At this point the "Bumpy" individual follicles that still have hair (many of them GREY!) are so far apart that I could probably stand in front of the mirror and individually count the lack luster locks that have yet to leave me.

I'M SICK OF SEEING MY FOREHEAD!

And I'm afraid of how far this may go. I understand I have been luckier than most (or just had a TON of hair to begin with?) I am not losing handfuls nor have blatant bald spots, but I sure have a mess of mane to clean out the shower every time I wash my hair....

PLEASE RESPOND IF YOU HAVE HAD SIMILAR EXPERIENCE(S)...

Who knows if it may be chalked up to something else?

If not, guess it's just one more "mystery illness" I'll eventually self-diagnose after another year of being poked and prodded by various doctors & "specialists." From my personal experience that's about how long it takes for a Physician to believe that I might just know how I feel better than him/her. That has always been the rough time table of how long it's taken to get a decent diagnosis.

Thanks for your help & all your posts! I finally know I'm not imaging the extreme thinning & hair loss.

Wow, I am so glad I found this website. I was struggling with depression about six weeks ago, due to a really bad haircut and other personal matters, I hit rock bottom and went to see my Doctor to get some anti-depressents. I told him to please don't give me anything that causes hair loss. Six weeks later, I have been noticing severe hairloss in the front of my hair and thinning all through the top. I went to see my obgyn to get blood work done for thyroid, not even considering it could be the lexipro. My test results came back negative. So I was sitting here wondering what on earth could be causing it. After reading these posts, I will definately stop the lexipro cold turkey. I am so scared now, I just can't afford to lose anymore hair. I wonder how long it will continue to fall out after only taking it 6 weeks?

I too have had slot of side effects to lexapro. It made my depression worse and after 2 weeks on it i became suicidal. I also noticed hair loss and irregular periods. My mood got worse and it made me numb. I stopped it cold turkey after 3 months use and have never been better. The drug took 3 months of my life. Been off 3 weeks now and my hair is still falling out in clumps. I had thick long hair which is thinning rapidly. Other side effects include loss of sex drive and motivation. All effects are different in different people but this to me is a dangerous drug

I have had a very unpleasing experience with lexapro as well. First, my hair comes out in knots and clumps. Second, my nasal passages gets so blocked with intensely dry mucus. Third, my eyes are so itchy and dry that the pain is throbbing. I'm going down currently, hope it helps.