Wellbutrin and hair loss

I am experiencing severe hair loss - I was on Wellbutrin XL for a year and a half with no side effects, then changed doctors and we prescribed the generic, bupropion. That is when my marked hair loss began. I then switched to Lexapro, but felt like a zombie, and so went back to the bupropion hoping that it was a vitamin deficiency that was causing my hair loss and not the med. But, with all sorts of supplements, my hair continues to thin - I used to have thick, healthy shiny hair, and now cannot bear to touch my head because it is so upsetting to have lost so much hair.
Has anyone else experienced NOT losing hair on the brand name Wellbutrin, then switching to the generic and losing hair? I don't want to give up the med because it has worked so well for my depression, but I don't want to loose my hair either. HELP!!
Thanks!

I have been on the generic version of Wellbutrin Xl since January 09. About 6 weeks ago I noticed a lot of hair loss. A week or so ago it increased and my thick hair is thinning so quickly I am panicked. I contacted my doctor on Monday morning and he advised I stop taking it right away. 150 mg a day. I have noticed my scalp is very itchy and today the hair has not stopped coming out. My doctor told me the hair will grow back but I don't know I believe him at this point. He wants me to go med free for 2 weeks until I see him. A little nervous about withdrawal and how I will feel med free since the depression was intolerable. Has anyone had significant hair loss with this drug and seen it come back after quitting the meds?

People!In short BIOTIN!
Here's my story... I have had severe hair loss from this med and from other causes. Wellbutrin is now causing me anger severe memory loss and itch all over. I have taken it before several times because it has no sexual side effects but the hair loss is a no can do for me. I didn't know it did that until reading recently these posts. I just switched back to it from zoloft because of weight gain and sexual stuff. What I do know is about hair and that mine is falling out. I also know that I have been working on regrowing mine basically from nothing fore the last two years and that BARNONE BIOTIN is the best thing you can take to regrow your hair healthier and faster from the inside out. It takes about one month to see results. You can get it from CVS! Take the highest dose, twice a day at first and then once a day for maintenance. Two hairdressers told me about it and then I said I should try this. So glad I did, because I have great hair genes like so many here and now they are showing. Now to get off this crap medication!! I've

I've been on Bupropion XL 300 mg (Generic Wellbutrin) for almost 3 months.Overall I feel much better than before.I can cope with lifes issues without freaking,I'm a better mother to my girls.I haven't had any major side effects such as hives or hair loss,however I do notice occasional bouts of anxiety.Tightness in the chest.My libido all but disappeared after having my second child and I'm only 30 years old.I was hoping the Wellbutrin would help but it's really made no difference.Aaargh! But at least I don't have to suffer the depression and guilt due to lack of sex drive and the monotony of everyday living.I'm living my life again...And my hair has never looked better!

i'm a 30yr old female with no prior experience taking anti depressants. i have been taking 300mg of the generic wellbutrin (budeprion) xl since end of September. i had a lot of the side effects mentioned, but quite mild and they mostly faded away as of January. i even lost 35 pounds. i have a slight ringing in the ears, no hair loss, and had a week period of feeling itchy on my arms. every person reacts different to drugs, generic or not. in the beginning i used to read these type of boards frequently but forced myself to stop bc i was starting to get paranoid that some of the side effects were going to happen. and they didn't. all i can stress is to listen to your body and nothing else. i feel better than i have in years, i want to get out of bed, i want to participate in life, and i want to believe in a future. wellbutrin has helped me get here. not a cure all. i still have emotions, get bummed, cry and worry but not to the extreme of what it was. best of luck to all!

I'm on Wellbutrin since August and I've been loosing lots of hair lately. At the beginning of the loss I didn't give it much importance until about a week ago when pulling my hair back in my usual ponytail I notice that my hairline moved back noticeably, and that my already thin hair was barely covering my scalp...I thought it was stress or something, but I've never seen my hair weak and little like that. Then I thought at the meds I'm taking and googled "wellbutrin and hair loss". A super long list of web pages (including this) were talking about this side effect of Wellbutrin. Now I'm worried not just for my hair loss, but to the process of adaptation of my body to a potential change of medicinal. What should I do? My doctor is in Italy and cannot check on me personally.
Thanks for sharing
M.

My teenage daughter was taking generic Wellbutrin (manufactured by Watson pharmaceuticals) 150 mg. daily for about 3 weeks or so and started having serious hair loss on the top of her head. The prescribing psychiatrist told her to stop the medication and after about 2 weeks, the hair loss has stopped almost completely. I have read a number of blogs including this one that indicate that hair loss is a side effect yet the Wellbutrin trials only listed hair loss as a side effect for less than 1% of patients. Given the U.S. Supreme court ruling today that says that even if the FDA has approved a medication, a pharmaceutical company is still responsible for fully reporting side effects and can in fact be sued in individual states if they do not provide sufficient warning, I would be interested in hearing ideas of how we can put more pressure on the manufacturers of Wellbutrin and its generic equivalent so that they give better warning of this side effect.

hi - i've been on wellbutrin for a week, 100mg a day, and today i was supposed to up the dose...but my scalp has been itchy, and today, especially, i noticed A LOT of hair falling out. every time i ran my hand through my hair i'd get a handful. looks like other people experience this side effect, too, but do people get hair loss this soon after starting the drug? i don't want to keep taking it if this is going to be a permanent thing...also...the hair that you lose grow back...right? i'd appreciate any tips or insights. thanks!

To make a long story short (I think). Taking Celexa (20 mg) for more than 4 years definitely caused decreased sexual sensations (numbed nerves), though it did change my life. In October Switched to Wellbutrin XL. Withdrawal from Celexa was not easy but Libido is definitely back. Problem is I am angry ALL the time at my husband. In fact, I've been angry almost from the get go from switching to Wellbutrin. I have also been puzzled by slight hair loss in the back of my head at the hairline. I have of late experienced abrupt halts in thought processes and my periods, though I am 45, have suddenly become irregularly. Frankly I didn't realize that Wellbutrin could likely be the cause of these symptoms until I read some of these posts. I really would like to wean off of this drug (was prescribed 300 mg but have taken 150 mg due to feelings of being 'wigged' out on higher dosage - did up the ante for just over a week to see if that would help but didn't seem to matter)...Nevertheless, I really think Wellbutrin is causing me to feel deep resentment toward my husband. This is not a usual emotion for me and it pretty well started immediately after I began taking Wellbutrin. I really could use your opinions(s). IS THE WELLBUTRIN causing the anger??? Did the Celexa simply MASK existing problems??? Is it a combination of both. Is this depression again or am I in the process of slipping back in??? (anger was not a previous symptom of my depression though black clouds, low esteem, doom and gloom and sadness were) Also, aside from anger and sheer resentment, I feel as if I'm spinning my wheels, that I'm in rut and that no matter how I try to move forward, I can't - I really feel lost and am so angry at my husband and see him in such a different way that it is almost to the point of being ridiculous). THANK-YOU so much for your replies.

I am noticing hair loss. I was on 150mg of XL for a year and then I was on 300mg for 6 months to deal with situational depression that my 150mg dose was not enough for. I lost more weight (because I had no appetite at all) but then slowly got used to the new dose. I have been confused sometimes and fuzzy brained. Often someone can say something to me and I don't even hear them. I have significant memory loss and trouble focusing on 2 things at once. If a radio or TV is on, I can't carry a conversation... even if i am looking directly at the person I am talking to. I have reduced back to 150mg but I am still having these side effects. I just thought I was getting loopy from having been on so many different drugs continually for 6 years. I do love having energy with Welbutrin and losing all excess weight I had but I can't stand losing my hair.

I can agree with so many of you who've shared your experiences - for about a year I felt more like 'the old me' on Wellbutrin, but in the last six months I've become progressively more fuzzy-minded. It scares me that there are times that I worry that I won't be able to finish a coherent sentence... like I'm speaking in slow motion waiting for individual words to filter through the fog of my brain so that they can be spoken. OK, it's certainly not always like this - and so far only my husband seems to have noticed, but I dread muttering the wrong thing in a business setting. Perhaps worse than this, in the vanity that is our present reality, I've seen significant hair loss from the top of my head - my squeaking clean pate is SHINY in the mirror and I hate it!!! It's winter now, but I can't wear hats all the time, and I just don't happen to work in a 'fashion forward' industry where I might hope to make hats a trend for all to follow. I will be weaning myself off of Wellbutrin and looking into oral and topical arnica b/c I'm nervous about trying Rogaine and begging stuck with that regimen for the rest of my life. The women in my family all have lovely hair; I'm 40, not 80!!

I have been on wellbutrin for about 4-5 years.I thought it was a God send..I was feeling so good and had so much energy at first..then recently Im having a lot of memory loss..thought it was due to getting older,kinda normal..but it has gotten so bad..I cant even remember what I had for dinner,or remember names,or even a conversion,Im having I just forget it in the middle of talking to someone,I cant even read,seems like I read the same sentence over and over...Its gotten to the point my family members,including my own kids are noticing it,I feel like Im dumb,or not even capable of anything anymore.I have gone cold turkey as of Dec.31st..I hope I can have my memory return...I even got so scared,I had an MRI on my brain..thats how bad I am.but it came back normal.....what can I do?..I also suffer form hair loss..I have short hair to begin with,I hurts when people just stare at your thin spots,and know what there thinking.
mgd761

I have had THICK hair all my life. Was on WB XL (300mg) for 2 years went off because of memory loss. Was off for 6 months, felt good, but inevitably depression slowly crept back into my life. Went back on WB XL (150mg for a week, then 300mg). Been back on it for 2 1/2 months and just noticed 2 weeks ago that my hairline is thinning at the corners of my forehead. It's especially noticeable when wet or when the light shines down on my head. I can see my scalp. I have also noticed an increase in dandruff. Yikes! I am a hairdresser and it would be terrible for me to have bad hair while working with clients. Why didn't this hair loss happen when I first started taking WB XL 2 years ago? And why is it flarring up now? Is this a temporary side effect that will work itself out, or do I have to stop taking this drug? I'm glad that I am not the only one and that I am not crazy!

I have also experienced hair loss. My doctor said it could either be due to recent weight loss or Wellbutrin. Can someone please tell me how long it takes for your hair to stop falling out after discontinuing this drug? Also any other advice would be helpful.

I just wanted to hurry and post this for all of you and anyone else reading these posts. I was having bad hair loss from wellbutrin.It works so good that I did not want to quit so I went to gnc and bought womans ultra nourish hair supplement by gnc just to see what would happen and behold...it works the very same day I took it. I haven't been losing hair at all except the normal 1 or 2 a day6. Please go try this it really worked for me. God speed...

WOW! I have been taking wellbutrin for two years now. The first three weeks were spent with nausea, vivid dreams, some jitters and being very tired. By the end of the first month that had all pretty much gone away and I was feeling more energetic, less anxiety and no depression. When I started exhibiting memory loss at first I really didn't notice it since was just articulation & range of descriptive words. Eventually it progressed to common words and sentence endings. Then I began to notice I could no longer do ANYTHING and listen to someone else at the same time, that progressed to not paying attention to what someone was saying period and the lack of ability to remember the plot of books I had read or some movies I had watched. I also began to notice moderate hair loss. Last but not least I was very slowly gaining weight, it was beginning to add up and I didn't seem to be getting the energy boost or feel that great anymore. So I decided I would quit. After a quick taper off I got to experience all the joys of withdrawal, nausea, sleeping fourteen hours and taking a nap in the afternoon, appetite swings, mood swings, diarrhea , sweetooth and the inability to get up and do anything or go anywhere. It was paralyzing. That went on for almost a month. Its been three months now and the improvement in my cognitive function and physical energy was so profound that it made me wonder if my problems over the past two years could be related to the wellbutrin, so I typed in memory loss and wellbutrin and here we are. I really didn't realize it was affecting me (or others)so seriously and I had zero initiative to investigate my condition until after I quit taking it. Dont get me wrong when I started taking wellbuterin I was at the mercy of my emotions and I needed something, but I feel the corruption of my facualtys was very insidious with this drug and by the time I realized I was having problems I didn't readily recognize it and and had no desire to do any thing about it anyway. My husband had even pointed these symptoms out to me and still I didn't/wasn't able to put it together until now. I don't know what the solution for others will be but I have found mine. I guess what bothers me most is that none of the symptoms caused by this drug was expounded upon by my doctor, the focus was all about how much better I would feel, He never once mentioned memory loss or concentration. And in the last two years he has never once mentioned the idea that I would ever be off antidepressants. For most of us it doesn't have to bee forever. I don't know if I had it all to do again if I would take wellbutrin again or ask for something else, but what I do know is that I would be more aware of what I was taking and not take it for nearly the length of time I did. The drug itself kept me from reacting to its effects and I was unable to gage when I was starting to do better emotionally. The process of getting off it made me wonder if I could do it and if I really was better, believe me I thought about reaching for that bottle every day for a month. Ask yourself where you are mentally, talk to your doctor, MAKE HIM TALK TO YOU, and taper off a lot slower than I did so your able to clearly differentiate between recurring depression and withdrawal. I am no longer in the same frame of mind that I was when I started taking wellbutrin and now that I am completely off of it I feel fine. Good Luck and be careful

I have been taking this since March and I have lost half my hair, it is so depressing. I only realized this evening that the Wellbutrin is maybe causing it. I am so upset. I can see my scalp, and it is so bad, I canceled my vacation home to see my parents who haven't seen me for 2 years - what on earth will they think? My question is:

Did your hair grow back after stopping the drug? If so, how long did it take?

I am taking 300 mg XL.

I have also noticed that my eyebrows have thinned.

HAIR LOSS
I've been investigating the causes of the acceleration of hair loss on the top of my head, near my forehead. I'm now narrowing it to Wellbutrin. I had taken Wellbutrin before for 3-4 years with a four year gap before I went back to it a year ago. The hair loss started about the same time I first started the treatment, stabilized during the years that I was off Wellbutrin (the hair did not regrow) and now it's getting worse. The first time I noticed the hair loss my doctor attributed it to hormone changes, but I'm getting suspicious as the women in my family tend to have lots of hair, and so did I. I'm 61 years old. Besides the thinning of the hair I also I'm constantly aware of a mild "burning" in the region affected.

I've been on Wellbutrin for 3 years. My hair has been falling out more and more every month. My scalp itches horribly! It feels almost as though bugs are crawling all over it. I am irritable and have dramatic mood swings. The final straw, though, was recently when I had a blood test to find that my white and red blood cell counts had become dangerously low, and my red blood cells were swollen (macrocytic anemia).

I'm now training myself off of Wellbutrin. I tried dropping to a quarter dose and felt flu-like symptoms (chills, extreme tiredness, dizziness) and extraordinary appetite (gaining 10 lbs in week 1). I also became unable to handle simple tasks at work, and excessively negative in demeanor.

I'm now back up to 1 pill and the chills have stopped. I am hoping that I can go back down to 1/2 pill gradually.

Will my hair grow back? Is the liver/blood damage reversible? Has anyone kicked the Wellbutrin habit and recovered fully? Please help.

Thank you in advance.

I've been taking Wellbutrin XL for almost a year the highest dose you can take which is 450 mg. When I first started taking it, the side effects were horrible, first with the memory loss, nausea etc. A few months into the perscription I could notice a change, but as time went on I began to feel not so good anymore. I started getting bad twitches right before I was almost asleep. They became so bad that I would wake myself up because my body would jerk so bad. The ringing of the ears had occurred along with an appetite increase. I felt that it stopped working within the last couple months. There is no point to be on a medication that is not working. Also suffering hair loss and my hair is blond and fine to begin with. I just find it alarming that so many people who are taking this have horrible side effects from it. Side effects are suppose to subside overtime, but not in this case. Besides I was also taking Yasmin which is a whole different story because it could of been causing the anxiety that led to me to have to take this medication. So I'm stopping everything because I feel my body is telling me to let be it free of meds. I strongly believe in medications, but not when one med causes a sympton that leads to another med that causes other problems. Like everyone has been saying listen to your body and don't ignore it. I'm tired of being sick and tired! A medicine that is suppose to make you feel better is only making me feel worse. I'm just going to start from scratch again and see what happens perhaps I never really needed anything at all which upsets me. Since the time I began Yasmin up until The Wellbutrin Xl, I've been living quite the miserable life. I don't want anyone to have to go through this ever. I lost out on alot of time with my daughter and I can't get that back. A lesson to be learned perhaps, study up on meds before taking them or combining them with others, we are fortunate enough to have the technology to do so. So think about how you're feeling and whats going on with your bodies. GOD BLESS!

Add me to the list! I have been on 300 mg Wellbutrin for the past few years. My hair is falling out and you can see my scalp. Just like many of you, I went the thyroid tests route, to no avail. I'm so thankful that in my desperation I did a search on hair loss and this drug. I will see my doctor and get off this stuff as soon as I can. It does help with depression, but who on earth can deal with watching your hair fall out on the sink and on the floor and down your back....I'll take the withdrawal headaches, as long as I have some hair on the outside of my head. Thanks to you all for writing about it. We are not crazy!

I have been taking the generic form of Wellbutrin (social anxiety with a touch of ADHD) for just over six months and as much as I hate to admit it, I believe that the bad is finally, convincingly, outweighing the good.
The good things that came along with 150mg of the SR every morning at 11:00: Weight loss (but only after an initial one month period of eating every form or carbohydrate I could find), it seems to brighten the whites of my otherwise cloudy eyes, helped me maintain conversations with people that I would have normally cut off early, and possibly--but only possibly--helps me focus (although the hyper focus that I used to get via the ADHD is gone. Completely. Non-existent.)
Which brings me to the bad: This goes against most of what I've read other people experience on Wellbutrin but lethargy has set in. And it feels like it's here to stay. It's not really a sedated lethargy but more of a false contentment that everything is just fine the way it is. No progression, no improvement, and looking to the future is almost impossible through the fog. I too, during the first two or three weeks, had the speedy, productive reaction to the medication. But that has subsided. Next, hair loss has become a concern. I'm in my thirties and it could be just how it goes but I truly doubt it. Mild constipation may seem bearable but I miss regularity more than I have time to describe. Ringing in the ears. Impaired memory. Confusion. Forgetfulness to a fault. Mild hives on the back. Irritability. A marked shortness of breath. After one month on Wellbutrin, I could barely run a mile on the treadmill when I've been accustomed to flying through three to five with ease. I feel weak, vulnerable even. Working out has therefore fallen to the wayside. And last, but probably the worst, this medication has seemed to cultivate a serious craving for other drugs. I can't explain it but I can't take it anymore either.
Like most people on a medication, I have read numerous posts and some people share some of my concerns but mostly, it seems that the people who report in are the speedy folks on day two or week two. That is, in my opinion, only a bit helpful, since these effects are usually short-lived. Wellbutrin started out with promise but while parts of me look into the mirror and see an improvement, underneath it all, I know that it is purely a nicely dressed form of prescribed avoidance.
I haven't posted this to discourage anyone. If it works for you--great. Really. But I also haven't read anyone's experience that matched my own so I figured it might help someone who is going through any of the same. Good luck.

I am a 34 year old female and have been on wellbutrin for 3 yrs. taking 300mg a day. I have lost a bunch of hair. Half of my hair is gone and that is no exaggeration!!!!!! But the worst part of it is that I had no clue that my medication could be causing it. My mom is a hairdresser and she has been really concerned about my hair loss. We thought maybe we were just frying it with all of the chemicals we put on it---BUT after talking about it we ruled that out because we have ALWAYS done it. It wasn't until after LUCK of stumbling across this info on the net that we put 2 and 2 together. UUHHGG!!! I am sooo mad at my Dr. I even discussed my hair loss with her a YEAR AGO. She had bloodwork done for my thyroid and it came back normal. I have a check-up today concerning my meds. I'm going off it ASAP. Dont want to just stop completely because i heard it can be dangerous. But i recommend to anyone taking wellbutrin that likes having a full head of hair to stop taking it!!! The Dr.'s will tell you that it is not a side effect but believe me---IT IS!!! I can only hope now that mine will grow back.!!!!!

Thank god I found this site. I was prescribed Wellbutrin today for my depression. I was already on Lorazepam and that's all I had wanted again. But I guess since Lorazepam causes dependency, doctor's do not want to prescribe it much. My depression got deeper because I noticed hair loss in the first place and no one took me seriously. This doctor KNEW I had issues with hair loss already (i'm a woman) and I once had eating disorders and he went ahead anyway and prescribed this. If I had taken this I can honestly say I would have total bald spots on my head!
Thanks for this site!

I too have experience a late period, 11 days late so far. In addition, I am having extreme nausea. I thought maybe I was pregnant, I took 3 tests and all are negative. I have been on the Wellbutrin for 1 month now and am not really thrilled with the results. Actually, I find it's not helping at all.

I was on Celexa for about 6 months and loved it with 2 exceptions. Hair loss and a huge loss of my sex drive.

My thought is that none of these drugs are without side effects...there is no free ride.

Anyone else have similar experiences with Wellbutrin?

I have been on Wellbutrin for a couple of years & it has been a life saver. But it is very possible my hair loss is due to it. I have always had a full head of hair & no hair loss in my family at all. I'm also experiencing hearing loss but don't know if this is due to the Wellbutrin as my Father & sister have had hearing loss. My doctor intends to lower my dosage next month & I am going to ask him if air loss is a side effect.

I am also experience hair thinning while on Wellbutrin. I have had blood tests and there is no other detectable cause. The dermatologist said that she was only able to diagnose as possibly hereditary. However, I began noticing it shortly after starting 300mg of Well XL and then noticed increased thinning when I went up to 450mg. I don't take any other medications at all.

I searched the Wellbutrin prescribing information (a pdf on the official Wellbutrin website) and this is all I can find:

Other Events Observed During the Clinical Development and Postmarketing Experience of Buproprion

Adverse events for which frequencies are not provided occurred in clincial trials or postmarketing experience with bupropion. Only those adverse events not previously listed for sustained-release bupropion are included. The extent to which these events may be associated with Wellbutrin XL is unknown.

Skin: Rare was maculopauplar rash. Also observed were alopecia, angioedeme, exfoliative dermatitis and hirsutism.

----------------

Alopecia is hair loss. All that means is it was reported and they didn't do a study that would have produced data with which they could measure the likelihood that it is a Wellbutrin side effect. In other words, people said they were experiencing it but they can't confirm it.

I just dropped down to 300 mg and I'm contacting my shrink about tapering off completely - I feel like dealing with scalp showing through and feeling horribly self-conscious and unattractive because of it is not going to help my depression and self-esteem issues any.

I'm a woman by the way - the number of reports of hair thinning in women seems significant to me. I have no family history of thin hair on the female side that I know of.

I've been taking Wellbutrin on and off for several years now. It works for me and my depression and doesn't cause weight gain. Unfortunately, a lot of my hair was gone before I researched it and found that this seems common with many users. I stopped taking it for several months and my hair loss pretty much stopped. Some grew back in around my hairline and my head felt better, but not a significant regrowth on my crown. It definitely stopped coming out like it was. The improvement took about 3 months. I started taking it again and within 2 months I noticed that I was again loosing hair. I use Nioxin shampoo which slows it some, but will stop taking it again. In my research I found that some vitamins, scalp massage or yoga where your head is down and you increase blood flow helps. Hair color also helps for several reasons. I found, however, that while on Wellbutrin my scalp was very sensitive and sometimes had a burning sensation. My dose if very low at 75-150 mg per day. What a shame this side effect it is because this is a very effective medication! However, I have no doubt whatsoever that it's causing my hair loss.

I'm glad I thought to check to see if Wellbutrin might be causing my hair loss. I had some natural thinning at my temples before and started using Rogaine for women with great success. Then after my mastectomy and breaking up with a guy I went on Wellbutrin. I am currently taking the 150mg three times a day. I am losing so much hair it's scaring me. It comes off my head all day long. Like others have said I also have a handful in the hour, another handful in my comb and then it just continues to jump ship all day long. I have lost at least half of my hair.

I have been on Bupropion SR 300mg. since May 2007. Within the last 4-6 weeks may hair has been coming out by the hand full when I wash it. Alot of it is in my hair brush, vacuum cleaner, and on my clothes. I have used special shampoos and vitamins with no luck. I called the pharmacy and was told this was not a side effect of the medication. Funny they haven't heard, according to all the post I have read on the internet. My question is has anyone else experienced this type of loss after being on the medication for 6 months or longer? And if you stayed on it, or any other antidepressant, did the hair loss stop and grow back. I was also told that if it were to be a side effect of the medication it would have happened before now, and maybe I should have other test performed. I have already had blood work for thyroid and it came back normal. Love the medication!
Helps with more energy! Hate the hair loss! HELP!!!

i also have experienced much hair loss. it has been about 2 years now after the death of my mom, thought it may be just stress or perimenopause (41) but now after doing some research online I do think that it did all began after starting the Wellbutrin xl. I take 300 mg but i am going to talk to my DR. about going off it and maybe taking something else. I also take Effexor too, to help with my depression. any suggestions would be very much appreciated.

Wow! I'm so glad that I'm not thinking these things up in my head. I have been on Wellbutrin for about 2 1/2 months now and I have noticed hair loss but I thought it was just because of stress. However, reading this makes me very nervous about taking my 300 mg. a day. I also feel that I forget things a lot too; where I put my keys, my bag etc. I have also had ringing in my ears and sensitivity with both my eyes and ears. Has anyone else had all of these side effects? And if so, what did you and your doctor do?

I am participating in a research study for Wellbutrin helping smokers to quit. I am 25 years old. The study is a double blind study so there is a possibility that I am on placebo...but judging from my feelings - I am not. I have been on wellbutrin for 8 days now. I went from 150mg to 300mg in the course of 3 days. My symptoms/side effects include feeling "blah", not having interest in conversation, coordination problems (I have had issues with walking up and down stairs; almost to the point of falling), small episodes of memory loss, and I am thinking possible hair loss. The hair loss is the most devastating to me and I am going to stop taking wellbutrin because of it. I will find another way to quit smoking - there is no sense in taking something that is going to make me feel horrible about myself. Has anyone quit taking it and have their hair grow back?

I have been on 150 mg of Wellbutrin XL for a little more than 3 weeks. I am also taking 100 mg of Lamictal a day just upped that dose yesterday from 50 mg both to treat bipolar disorder (which I am not thoroughly convinced I have!) I can't tell which drug is causing which side effect, they both cause a lot of the same things. I have experienced strange dreams and horrible nightmares, itchy skin, hair loss (which I believe is from the Lamictal), acne on my face, back and shoulders, extreme mood swings and irritability, extreme fatigue, difficulty with hand-eye coordination, difficulty with words (speaking and writing), generally fuzzy headed, dizziness, waking at night with a pounding heart, joint and muscle soreness, heavy period that has lasted a lot longer than normal, stuffy nose, hacking cough and that about does it.

Basically, it sucks and I want to go off at least the Lamictal and see if the Wellbutrin is kinder on it's own. I just don't think this is going to work for me. It's been pretty rough the last few weeks, I hope I can come up with something I can tolerate.

good luck all!
~A

I switched to wellbutrin about 6 mo. ago and have noticed crazy hair lose... it is on my pillow in the morning, on the sofa after watching t.v., on the back of my shirt, and coming out by the handfulls when shampooing or brushing my hair. What use to be a full, thick head of hair... is now so thin I don't always brush my hair everyday (makes me sick to see all the hair). I talked to my dr. about it and she said it must be my blood sugar and that I needed to lose weight for it to go away.... um, yeah... eating low carb, walking, and still losing just as much hair... I am giving her a call today after reading that HAIR LOSS IS A SIDE EFFECT!

As early as the next day - after the first pill - change of hair texture and very significant hair loss on a daily basis. From time to time scalp numbness.

I've been taking Wellbutrin for the last 5 years as prescribed by my doctor, the only major sider effect was hair loss for the first 2 years but know I don't seem to have a problem with that. I take 300 mg per day in the am. I also seem to lose wait when I start taking it for the first 2 months but then after it makes me very hungry.

My hair has been falling out and is noticably thin on top. Only took the wellbutrin for 3 months , but have lost lots of hair. Have also had a severe rash/hives on my arms and legs, it tingles and burns. Have went to the ER once already because of the hives. Stopped the wellbutrin and the hives and itching went away. But what concerns me the most is the hair loss. Will it grow back? Wish I had know about these side effects before taking the it. I am hoping that there is another medication I can take to go along with my effexor as the wellbutrin did help my depression. Does anyone know any other medication might possibly work with effexor, that won't make me gain weight, grow bald or be miserable with itching? Help!

I have been taking Wellbutrin, Norvasc, Zocor, Alavide, Premarin. Since having a cerebral aneurysm, my blood pressure and cholestrol is high. I am having hair loss, waves of nausea periodically, and weight gain. Could any of these drugs be the cause of my symptoms.

Thank you

Brenda

I've been taking it for a few years. It helped with my depression but I think I have had some side effects. Not sure if mine is due to it, but I've heard hair loss can be one of them. I also have increasing trouble with sleep, I wake up too early.

I'm not now on Wellbutrin, but have discussed going on it with my therapist for long-term, mild depression.

This site has been very useful to me in helping me decide whether to brave all the possible side effects. I've decided to start at the lower dose of 150 XR and, becus i am so afriad of the side effects, especially seizure, i will stop using the drug rather than go the full 300 mg dose and risk the side effects.

Everyone's experience with it has been so different, i've come to the conclusion there IS no universal reaction to it becus everyone's experience with it is different.

What I've read here has also told me that you should never trust your doctor 100% to do what's best for you. It's really our responsibility to do as much research as they can, for instance, just reading thise sites. I saw one doctor started off the patient at 300 mg, which you're definitely not supposed to do, you're supposed to build up gradually, then taper off gradually when you want to get off the drug. And I saw another post where the doctor prescribed Wellbutrin to a patient with a history of anorexia, another definite no-no.

I'm really kind of scared to go on such a powerful drug after reading about hair loss, insomnia, etc. etc., but i've suffered from chronic depression for about 30 years now and i'm tired of living a mediocre life.

Wellbutrin worked well for 1.5 years. I upped my dose to 300 but then I realized I was getting more foregetful and had hair loss. This could also be attributed to ADD and menopause but I had also developed a terrible smell. Even other people noticed it, I cannot describe how foul it was. Part of it was I had become constipated but it didn't smell like you-know-what. I became isolated becase of it -- what good is it to be not depressed if you are alone? Was taking metamucil but finally quit the Welbutrin. I think I have other health problems, but avoiding welbutrin and also a number of foods now I smell good again. That was the most miserable health problem of my life!!!! Am moderately depressed, but trying healthy living style etc. I think my hair is getting fuller. Oh, and I wasn't exactly dizzy but sometimes I felt "unbalanced" on the Wellbutrin.

I have been on Wellbutrin XL for 4 1/2 months for post-partum depression and have noticed hair loss and joint pain (especially in hands). I am surprised my doctor recommended this to me as I have a history of anorexia. It states fairly clearly on the literature, "do not take if had history of eating disorder". Anyone have a comment on this???

jerkiness of arms and legs, headaches, hair loss and thinning (as in thick to fine), brain fog - have trouble remembering simple things like someone's name, my sleep is all screwed up, have been taking 450 mgs Wellbutrin XL for several years, decided to go off. Also take Effexor XR and Lamictal - may go off Effexor too, Lamictal helps with mood swings (I am Bipolar II) - not sure if it is causing any of the problems or not, only been on it 6 months - 100 mg. Any one else on this combinatio? The hair loss is what concerns me most, I'm only 54 - not ready to look like my grandmother!

Great site. I've been off Wellbutrin for 6 weeks about but was thinking about taking it again as my new job is very stressful. But this site reminded me of the reasons I quit Wellbutrin: hair loss, confusion (I thought Wellbutrin was supposed to HELP ADD, fer crying out loud), constipation, feeling out of balance, and having a strange, often terrible smell. The weight loss was great at first, but now I weigh less than I have for 30 years and am concerned. Since quitting Welbutrin I feel better and more alive how, but I have also been on vacation, so it's hard to sort out. Also, doctor has run tests for intestinal problems which may not have been associated with the Wellbutrin. Who knows. Good site. Thanks.

HAIR LOSS - that's an understatement. Mine has been coming out in handfuls. I've always had thick, wavy, long hair and now I can see my scalp like an old lady - I'm only 35 ! I had no idea what was wrong. Stay away from this stuff unless you want to look like a billards ball ! Even at $100+ a bottle, mine's in the trash. There should be a warning on this !

Been about two months now. Mostly good effects regarding mood, appetite, cravings. Sleep pretty good except for occasional weird nightmares. Constipation is managable. Lost sex drive (from Prozac) is back, some memory problems; not bad. However, I am having hair loss so scary I'm going off it- the Wellbutrin, that is.

Have been taking the Wellbutrin to quit smoking. It worked great for that. Had a real bad mood episode though when I took a herbal supplement called Rosavin while on the Wellbutrin. It wore off in a few hours. Later, I read the Rosavin label and it said not to combine with antidepressants. Maybe will try Rosavin alone.

I started with 150mgs. Went to 300mgs after a month. Noticed considerable hair loss after 2 weeks.

Does anyone know if it grows back? It has been 2 weeks and I just about bought some Rogain

sleepnessness, hair loss

I've been on Wellbutrin for 2 1/2 months and finally realized I am losing my hair. The hair line is intack but I can see my scalp real clearly when my hair is wet, mainly on the top of my head. I went to the Dermotolgist today, he gave me a heart to heart about male pattern baldness (thanks but I don't think you develop male pattern baldness overnight like this). I am convinced it is from the drug.

He did say that about 1% of your hair folicles are always shedding and regrowning. Drug induced hair loss simply increases the percentage of folicles in the shedding stage. He said this stage is not permanent and the hair will grow back.

I am off the Wellbutrin. Bring on the Gloom baby, I keepin' my hair. I'll take my chances with the depression.