Hair loss may be a side effect of antidepressants – full list of complications

This Morning: Dr Ranj discusses treatments for hair loss

When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters.Sometimes they’ll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer.Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights.You can unsubscribe at any time.

Anagen effluvium is the official term to describe increased hair shedding, which may be triggered by antidepressant medication. What can you do about it if you want to keep taking your prescribed meds, but don’t want thinning hair? It’s worth noting that one type of antidepressant might fall under different brand names. Those included in the study are:

• Fluoxetine
• Fluvoxamine
• Sertraline
• Citalopram
• Escitalopram
• Paroxetine
• Duloxetine
• Venlafaxine
• Desvenlafaxine
• Bupropion
• Sertraline

Bupropion was shown to have the highest risk of hair loss in participants – no longer available in the UK as an antidepressant, but now prescribed for smoking cessation.

The UK Addiction Treatment Centres noted that bupropion was approved for use as an antidepressant in England from 1974, branded as Wellbutrin.

However, due to the risk for seizures, the drug was withdrawn for this purpose in 1986.

Closely following behind bupropion in the risky category for hair loss is fluvoxamine.

Fluvoxamine

The mental health charity Mind identified fluvoxamine (Faverin) as an selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) antidepressant.

SSRIs

These mainly work by blocking the re-uptake of serotonin into the nerve cell that released it.

SSRIs are the most commonly prescribed type of antidepressant in the UK, and they result in serotonin having more time to affect the brain and body.

The Hormone Health Network explained serotonin is a key hormone that stabilises mood, feelings of well-being, happiness, sleep, appetite and digestion.

DON’T MISS
Fatty liver disease symptoms: Nail changes are a sign [INSIGHT]
Brazzil variant symptoms: Full list of signs [TIPS]
How to lose visceral fat: Three lifestyle interventions [ADVICE]

The rest of the antidepressants on the comparative analysis had a lower risk of hair loss, with paroxetine having the lowest risk of hair loss.

Paroxetine is also an SSRI, often used to treat depression in the UK, as well as obsessive compulsive disorder, panic attacks, anxiety or post-traumatic stress, said the NHS.

The results from this study were based on the data of 1,025,140 people, in an American database spanning eight years, up to 2014.

If you believe your hair loss could be triggered by medication you’re currently taking, do talk to your GP about your concerns.

Antidepressants

The NHS does not list hair loss as a side effect of antidepressants, but it does state common side effects of SSRIs and SNRIs.

SNRIs are serotonin-noradrenaline re-uptake inhibitors, which shares the same possible side effects as SSRIs, which are:

• Feeling agitated, shaky or anxious
• Feeling and being sick
• Indigestion and stomach aches
• Diarrhoea or constipation
• Loss of appetite
• Dizziness
• Not sleeping well (insomnia), or feeling very sleepy
• Headaches
• Low sex drive
• Difficulties achieving orgasm during sex or masturbation
• In men, difficulties obtaining or maintaining an erection (erectile dysfunction)

“These side effects should improve within a few weeks, although some can occasionally persist,” added the NHS.

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) most commonly can cause:

• Dry mouth
• Slight blurring of vision
• Constipation
• Problems passing urine
• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Weight gain
• Excessive sweating (especially at night)
• Heart rhythm problems, such as noticeable palpitations or a fast heartbeat (tachycardia)

One potentially serious complication of SSRIs or SNRIs is when serotonin levels become too high in the brain.

This can be caused by taking antidepressants with St John’s Wort or another medication that raises serotonin levels.

Symptoms of serotonin syndrome can include:

• Confusion
• Agitation
• Muscle twitching
• Sweating
• Shivering
• Diarrhoea

The NHS recommend to stop taking the medication if these symptoms arise, and seek medical advice from your GP or NHS 111.

If you suffer from any of the following, do call an ambulance by dialling 999:

• Seizures (fits)
• Irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)
• Unconsciousness.

Source: Read Full Article