According to 2021 estimates, over 20% of people in the U.S. use antidepressants or antianxiety medications. Within this group of medications, hair loss is sometimes listed as a known side effect. 

Mostly, these drugs cause temporary hair loss that goes away after a period of acclimation or after the drug is discontinued. But for the 1 in 5 people who use these drugs to support mental wellbeing, there’s a very real fear that mood stabilization might only be available at the expense of their hair.

The good news is that hair loss from anxiety medications is relatively uncommon. And while it can occur, there are ways to mitigate the risk of hair fall.

This article takes a scientific look at the relationship between the most commonly prescribed psychotropic drugs and hair loss, revealing science-based recommendations for those who are affected by hair loss and worried that their antidepressants are to blame.

• What type of hair loss is associated with psych meds?
• What evidence shows a link between psychopharmaceuticals and hair loss?
• Is there indeed a cause and effect relationship? 
• What does this mean for those prescribed to these medications?

Types of Drug-Induced Hair Loss

Drug-induced alopecia typically falls into two main categories: telogen effluvium and anagen effluvium. These names refer to the stage in the hair cycle where growth is interrupted.^[1]https://link.springer.com/article/10.2165/00002018-199410040-00005

Telogen Effluvium

Telogen effluvium is the most common type of drug-induced hair loss. With this condition, hair follicles are prematurely triggered to enter their resting (telogen) phase, which induces early shedding. The condition typically becomes noticeable within 2-4 months of beginning treatment. 

Anagen Effluvium

Anagen effluvium occurs during hair’s growth (anagen) phase. Hair cells that should be rapidly dividing are triggered to abruptly stop. This type of drug-related hair loss occurs within days or weeks of treatment and is not limited to the scalp. It is most commonly associated with chemotherapy drugs. 

Medication-induced alopecia, in particular telogen effluvium, is a known side effect of some psychopharmaceuticals. Hair loss is typically temporary and may resolve on its own, or with a reduction in dosage. Discontinuation of these drugs nearly always leads to hair regrowth.^[2]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10798824/

What About Androgenic Alopecia (AGA)?

Psychopharmaceuticals do not cause androgenic alopecia (male pattern baldness), but may temporarily accelerate the condition. If several hair follicles in AGA-prone regions suddenly enter the telogen phase, hair follicle miniaturization can increase, speeding the progression of AGA. 

Psychotropic Medications and Hair Loss: The Research

It’s important to note that just because hair loss is listed as a potential side effect of certain medications does not mean it will happen to everyone. But, it can still happen. What’s most important is the percent of people reporting hair loss in a clinical trial for any of these drugs.

Among the class of drugs referred to as psychopharmaceuticals, hair loss is most frequently associated with long-term use of lithium and valproic acid. 

As many as 19% of lithium users and 12% of valproic acid users report the unwanted side effect.^[3]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10798824/ For most other drugs, risk is much lower, and possibly as low as 0.01%.

To learn more about the actual connection between antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, mood stabilizers and hair loss, the Perfect Hair Health team combed through hundreds of case studies. 

The Process

First, the team looked at the most commonly prescribed medications and then ran those drug names through a research database to pull up any and all studies that mentioned hair loss. Below is an overview of what was found. 

If a drug is not the list, it’s either because no reports of hair loss were not found or commonly prescribed. Others were simply not worth mentioning for various reasons. To jump to a particular drug, use the links below.

Antidepressants

• SSRIs
  • Escitalopram (Lexapro)
  • Fluoxetine (Prozac)
  • Paroxetine (Paxil)
  • Sertraline (Zoloft)

• Atypical Antidepressants
  • Bupropion (Wellbutrin)

• Atypical Antipsychotics
  • Olanzapine (Zyprexa)
  • Quetiapine (Seroquel)

Anti-Anxiety Medications

• Benzodiazepines
  • Clonazepam (Klonopin)

• Buspirone
• Antimantic Agents
  • Lithium
  • Valproic Acid

Evaluation Of Evidence Quality

Of the several studies cited below, most consist of case reports that reference just a single individual. What’s more, these case reports often make it to publication precisely because of their uniqueness. In these reports, researchers often make reference to ‘the first known case’ or ‘the only known case.’ 

Case studies rank relatively low on the hierarchy of evidence, as they are very anecdotal, and not supported by double-blind research, for example. This makes it hard to know the true incidence or prevalence of hair loss from many of these drugs. 

Antidepressants and Hair Loss

Antidepressants are of several different classes, namely selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), MAOIs, and atypical medications. 

SSRIs and Hair Loss

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are among the most commonly prescribed antidepressants and are sometimes used to treat anxiety disorders. Of these, hair loss is associated with the following medications:

• escitalopram (Lexapro)
• fluoxetine (Prozac)
• paroxetine (Paxil)
• sertraline (Zoloft)

The team did not find any studies linking two other common SSRIs, protriptyline (Vivactil) and amitriptyline (Elavil) with hair loss. Take a closer look at what was found.

Escitalopram (Lexapro)

2021 Case Study: 

A male patient diagnosed with major depressive disorder experienced hair loss with escitalopram. The patient discontinued escitalopram when he could no longer tolerate the hair loss. The hair loss stopped within one month.^[4]https://www.psychiatria-danubina.com/UserDocsImages/pdf/dnb_vol33_no2/dnb_vol33_no2_187.pdf

2020 Case Report: 

A female patient on 5mg escitalopram reported minor hair loss. After her dose was increased to 10mg, hair loss became ‘significant.’ After quitting the drug due to intolerable hair loss her symptoms ‘dramatically’ resolved within one week.^[5]https://www.psychiatrist.com/pcc/depression/escitalopram-induced-hair-loss/

2016 Case Study:

This case study is unusual because the female patient presented with eyelash loss 12 weeks after beginning treatment with escitalopram. Her eyelashes returned to near normal 5 weeks after she stopped taking the medication. 

While SSRIs are known to cause alopecia, this is the first reported case of eyelash loss. Researchers noted the timing of the patient’s presentation was consistent with the growth cycle of eyelashes, suggesting the mechanism of loss was interruption of the hair growth cycle.^[6]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5035805/

2011 Case Study:

Woman suffering from major depressive disorder noticed hair loss 3 weeks after beginning escitalopram. She discontinued the drug due to intolerable hair loss. Two weeks later, the hair loss stopped. 

Several months later she tried the drug again as her depressive symptoms had returned. After 2 weeks? Her hair loss returned.^[7]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3219523/  

Fluoxetine (Prozac)

2021 Case Study:

Six weeks after beginning fluoxetine, a male patient reported hair loss in the frontal region of the skull. His complaints ended after he stopped taking the drug. This case appears to be the first evidence of fluoxetine-related hair loss in men.^[8]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34355374/ 

2019 Case Study:

Six weeks after beginning fluoxetine, a female patient reported hair loss in the frontal region of the skull.^[9]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31599441/

2018 Case Report: 

Female patient notices significant hair loss 2 weeks after beginning fluoxetine. By 18 months, she had lost all her scalp and body hair. Researchers are aware of just one other similar case, and suggest there may be a wider spectrum of fluoxetine-related hair loss than previously known.^[10]https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/the-british-journal-of-psychiatry/article/hair-loss-associated-with-fluoxetine/D2A55E09DDCF393399C14DB9289BAADE

2004 Case Study:

Female patient reports slight hair loss 3 months after beginning fluoxetine 20mg treatment. Reducing the drug to 10mg had no effect on her hair loss. After 1 year she stopped treatment due to intolerable hair loss on the scalp and body. 4 weeks later, her hair returned to normal thickness.^[11]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC514846/

1992 Drug Trial:

A group of 15 young adults, ages 16-24, trialed fluoxetine for the treatment of their depression. Researchers noted that the side effect of alopecia appeared more commonly than in adult studies.^[12]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19630647/  

Paroxetine (Paxil)

2021 Case Report:

Male with social anxiety disorder reports hair loss after beginning treatment with paroxetine. The hair loss stopped after discontinuing the drug, then recurred when treatment with paroxetine began again.^[13]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34181746/

2006 Case Study:

Over 60% of patients with alopecia areata (AA) have a psychiatric comorbidity. Researchers hypothesize that treating this depression may have a positive effect on hair growth. In this case study, a female patient had complete hair regrowth 7 weeks after beginning paroxetine treatment. One month after discontinuing the drug, her symptoms of AA had returned.^[14]https://sci-hub.se/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16922952/

2001 Double-Blind Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial: 

A group of 13 patients presenting with AA and a psychiatric comorbidity were studied to see if treatment with SSRIs could lead to regrowth of hair. Researchers observed the complete regrowth of hair in two patients treated with paroxetine, while four showed partial regrowth. Meanwhile, only one patient from the placebo group had similar regrowth.^[15]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11737460/

2000 Case Report:

‘Massive’ hair loss was reported in a woman being treated with paroxetine, which improved soon after she stopped taking the drug.^[16]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10883182/

1999 Case Report:

A female complained of ‘moderate’ hair loss after beginning paroxetine treatment. The hair loss stopped after discontinuing the drug, and began again when the drug was reintroduced.^[17]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10442258/

Sertraline (Zoloft)

2015 Case Study:

A male patient reports hair loss 2 weeks after beginning sertraline treatment. His hair loss improved after he stopped taking the drug.^[18]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4589582/

2008 Case Study:

A woman complained of hair loss during sertraline treatment. This case is unique because she had previously been treated with fluoxetine, but reported no hair loss during that treatment.^[19]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18664165/

2006 Literature Review:

Researchers reviewed all reports of SSRI-induced hair loss in the national Swedish database and the database for the World Health Organization. Reports of sertraline-induced hair loss were nearly double those for citalopram, although still considered a ‘rare’ side-effect.^[20]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16783834/

2005 Case Study:

A 14 year old boy reports hair loss after 5 years of sertraline treatment. The drug was gradually discontinued and the hair loss stopped.^[21]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3000200/

Atypical Antidepressants

Bupropion (Wellbutrin)

Bupropion is an atypical antidepressant. It is not an SSRI or an SNRI, but an NDRI. It’s used not only to treat depression, but sometimes prescribed to help with smoking cessation.

2018 Research:

In a study that followed over 1 million patients, researchers tracked exclusive users of antidepressants to better understand hair loss risk. They found that compared with bupropion, all other antidepressants had a lower risk of hair loss. Fluoxetine and paroxetine ranked as being lowest risk, with the highest level of confidence. 

The researchers concluded that of all the SSRIs and SNRIs, bupropion has the highest risk of hair loss, while paroxetine has the lowest.^[22]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28763345/

Atypical Antipsychotics

Olanzapine and quetiapine are classified as atypical antipsychotics. Both are used in the treatment of bipolar disorder, while quetiapine is also sometimes used to treat major depressive disorder.

Olanzapine (Zyprexa)

2002 Case Report:

After increasing her daily dose of olanzapine from 5mg to 15mg daily, a woman reports increasing hair loss. Hair loss discontinued after switching from olanzapine to risperidone. Researchers report that this is the first known case of olanzapine-induced hair loss, and note the manufacturer, Eli Lily Canada, estimates hair loss occurs among just 0.01% of users.^[23]https://sci-hub.se/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12500769/

Quetiapine (Seroquel)

2007 Literature Review:

Researchers reviewed all case reports of alopecia following quetiapine treatment reported to the New Zealand Intensive Medicines Monitoring Programme and the World Health Organization. They found 17 cases total, some of which support a causal relationship between quetiapine and hair loss. Researchers note that while hair loss has previously been associated with both olanzapine and risperidone, it has not yet been described with quetiapine.^[24]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17293712/

Anti-Anxiety Medications and Hair Loss

Benzodiazepines and Hair Loss

Benzodiazepines are classified as depressants and can help patients who struggle with anxiety. Of this class of drugs, only clonazepam seems to be associated with hair loss. There were no studies connecting alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium) or lorazepam (Ativan) with hair loss. 

Clonazepam (Klonopin)

2009 Case Study:

A woman complains of hair loss one week after beginning treatment with clonazepam. The hair loss stopped when she stopped taking the drug. Researchers note they reviewed the literature and found only one other case of hair loss associated with clonazepam. Also noted, she had been taking escitalopram (which has a more well-documented association with hair loss) prior to her hair shedding and continued with this drug even as her hair grew back.^[25]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19471188/

Buspirone

Busiprone is categorized as an ​​anxiolytic, and is used to treat both short-term and chronic anxiety. 

2013 Case Report:

A woman being treated with buspirone and sertraline reports significant hair loss. Her treatment team discontinued buspirone, but not sertraline (which is also associated with hair loss). The patient reported her hair loss stopped 3-5 days later, although researchers noted they couldn’t confirm.^[26]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3579479/

Antimanic Agents

Antimanic agents are mood stabilizers. They are used in the treatment of bipolar disorders and can calm those in states of mania or extreme anxiety. Of this class of drugs, lithium and valproic acid are most frequently associated with hair loss. 

Lithium 

2013 Literature Review:

A meta analysis on the side effects of lithium finds no statistically significant increase in risk of hair loss with lithium treatment. Researchers mention that lithium suppresses the thyroid, which could be related to reports of hair loss.^[27]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23525591/

2012 Literature Review:

A review of 385 abstracts were screened for reports of lithium toxicity, including lithium-induced alopecia. Researchers found no significant risk of alopecia associated with lithium.^[28]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22265699/

1994 Case Study:

A woman reports hair loss after beginning lithium treatment. 2 months after discontinuing treatment, her alopecia resolved. Researchers note this side effect is rare.^[29]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7995585/

1988 Case Study:

A patient reports total hair loss after 2 months of lithium treatment. Researchers discuss a possible connection between the drug and alopecia totalis.^[30]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3126095/ 

1984 Literature Review:

Researchers review all cases since 1970, when lithium-related hair loss was first reported. They suggest patients experiencing hair loss after lithium treatment be checked for hypothyroidism, because lithium ions may concentrate in the thyroid, disrupting normal processes in this area.^[31]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6519870/

1983 Case Report:

Of 100 patients on lithium therapy, 12 report hair loss. 1 patient was diagnosed with hypothyroidism, others experienced hair regrowth after discontinuing treatment.^[32]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6838778/

1983 Case Study:

Researchers present 2 cases of hair loss attributed to lithium therapy. They recommend thyroid tests to exclude hypothyroidism as the cause of hair loss.^[33]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6404546/

1982 Case Report:

Researchers study 7 cases of hair loss associated with lithium. They mention other findings that for those with scalp psoriasis, lithium can aggravate this condition. They report findings consistent with telogen effluvium and conclude lithium can cause increased hair shedding. ^[34]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6809028/

Valproate/Valproic Acid

2018 Case Study:

A review of over 400,000 patients being treated with psychotropic drugs in German-speaking countries found that Valproic acid was related to the highest risk of hair loss. That said, researchers found just 43 cases, a number distinctly lower than expected.^[35]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30193142/

2018 Literature Review:

A review of literature finds Valproate-induced hair loss is diffused, nonscarring, and dose-related. The drug may also cause graying and changes to hair texture. Researchers note that topical valproic acid may help hair regeneration and suggest further study into the difference between oral and topical administration as they relate to changes in hair growth.^[36]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30386073/

2017 Research:

Hair loss is a well-known side effect of valproic acid. It leads to telogen effluvium and appears to be dose-dependent, meaning hair loss increases with increased dosage. Paradoxically, valproic acid can be applied topically to help regrow hair. Researchers explore this paradox.^[37]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29061425/

2017 Research:

Valproic acid is often administered to patients undergoing radiation therapy for brain tumors to help manage seizures. Doctors note that delay or prevention of hair loss in this population seems to be a positive side effect.^[38]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27889835/

1996 Literature Review:

A 1996 literature review finds that alopecia is a common side effect of treatment with antimanic agents, and is expected in up to 12% of patients undergoing treatment with valproate, and 10% of patients being treated with lithium.^[39]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8899137/

1992 Case Report:

Two reports with seemingly conflicting results. In one, lithium-induced hair loss improved when lithium was replaced by valproate. In the other, hair loss improved only after stopping valproate.^[40]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1486112/

Establishing Cause and Effect 

The above case studies offer evidence that the relationship between psychopharmaceuticals and hair loss may be more nuanced than expected.

Case reports are justifiably considered a weaker form of evidence. In other words, they rank low on the hierarchy of evidence. While case studies (i.e., n=1 published anecdotes) offer ‘signals’ for scientists to explore in future randomized controlled clinical trials, they also come with a high risk of bias. Case studies don’t establish prevalence rates, and it’s always possible that patients in these reports were using other medications and/or experienced additional life events that might also explain their hair loss. While they indeed contribute to future research, using case studies to interpret cause and effect is difficult.

The bottom line? It’s not always easy to say, ‘this drug causes hair loss.’

Hair loss can have many causes, making a causal relationship between a single drug and hair loss very hard to prove. In some of the above studies on SSRIs, researchers tried to hone in on this relationship by stopping treatment, seeing if the hair grew back, and then rechallenging the patient with the same medication to see if their hair loss then returned.

While this process occurred in a few of the case studies found, more research must still be done, as the sample size in the studies mentioned here consists of just a few people.

Another way to explore the existence of cause-and-effect is to dive more deeply into possible causes outside of the drug. Basically, one must rule out the following:

Are other medications present?

Patients receiving treatment for depression and anxiety may have other comorbidities or may be taking more than one medication.

Some of the case studies above report this, others make it clear the patient was an ‘exclusive user’ of the drug in question, while others make no such reference to either.

It’s possible that even in cases where one medication was discontinued and hair loss subsequently stopped, that it was the interaction between one or more drugs, and not a single drug, that triggered the onset of hair shedding.

Are other skin conditions present?   

Several of the studies on lithium, which is widely described as a drug which ‘causes’ hair loss, mentioned patients who had pre-existing skin conditions, particularly scalp psoriasis. While it may be true that they experienced alopecia only after beginning lithium treatment, the root cause of hair shedding could have been their psoriasis.

Several patients in the above case studies had also experienced alopecia in the past. Alopecia is an embarrassing condition which can lead to depression and anxiety. Also, those with depression and anxiety may be predisposed to alopecia. Researchers estimate that up to 30% of patients with skin conditions have psychiatric comorbidity.^[41]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7756276/

Is the patient trustworthy?

Of the case reports presented here, researchers often (but not always) confirmed the patient’s own reports of hair loss and hair regrowth. In just one instance was there mention of blood drawn to confirm the patient was indeed taking only the medication prescribed, as directed.

Particularly regarding the anti-anxiety medications, some patients presented with symptoms of schizophrenia. Hair pulling, or trichotillomania, must be ruled out in those cases and others.

Understanding the Mechanisms of Action

Understanding the mechanisms of action can also help establish cause and effect. While it’s still unknown exactly how these medications induce hair loss, the following are a sample of the most plausible theories. 

Melatonin and Hair Cycle Interruption

Psychotropic drugs typically cause diffuse, reversible alopecia by influencing hair’s telogen (shedding) phase.^[42]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10798824/ The exact mechanism via which this works has yet to be revealed, although it may be connected to the relationship between serotonin and melatonin.

Serotonin is a precursor to melatonin, but the two also work in tandem to regulate a healthy circadian cycle. SSRIs in particular may decrease melatonin, which plays a role in hair cycle control.^[43]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16217127/

Hypothyroidism

Lithium and other antimanic agents may exacerbate hypothyroidism. While lithium cannot seem to shake its reputation as a cause of hair loss, researchers do not necessarily believe that lithium is the direct cause. Rather, it seems that hypothyroidism (caused by lithium) is to blame. Insufficient thyroid hormone can trigger telogen effluvium.  

Dose Dependency

With lithium and some other psychopharmaceuticals, dosage plays a role in determining risk for hair loss. Some patients who experience hair loss may find that reducing their dosage allows their hair loss to abate. Lithium in particular, rarely has to be discontinued entirely.^[44]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3157663/

Understanding more about the relationship between dose and hair loss may help researchers learn more about the mechanisms behind cause and effect.

Women vs Men

Hair loss related to psychopharmaceuticals is overwhelmingly experienced by women, not men. In one literature review, nearly 89% of the reports came from women.^[45]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16783834/ Understanding why women seem to be more affected by this type of hair loss may offer clues into the mechanism of action. 

Multidirectional Relationships

Some drugs have a multi-directional relationship to hair loss, for reasons that aren’t yet entirely understood. Valproate and valproic acid, for example, can lead to hair loss when orally administered but may lead to hair growth when applied topically. In two of the case studies mentioned above, alopecia areata improved with paroxetine treatment, a drug that has induced hair loss in others.

These multidirectional relationships may shed light on cause and effect, but also, offer insight into how complicated it is to point to any one drug as a cause of hair shedding.

Hair loss, particularly telogen effluvium, may be related to trauma, stress, anxiety, or depression. Some people may find their hair loss improves as their anxiety and depression get better. On the other hand, researchers acknowledge it’s possible that cases of hair loss are underreported, either due to self-neglect or because the patient has experienced it in the past as a result of emotional stress and does not relate the occurrence to the drug.

What Can Be Done?

In general, the incidence rate for these reports of hair loss associated with antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications and mood stabilizers, appears to be quite low. It’s not a given that hair loss is an outcome with any of these drugs.

That said, hair loss can be devastating for the one person that experiences it. And in some cases, may lead to non-compliance with what otherwise are very effective and life-improving drugs. 

Before deciding to forego or discontinue treatment, it’s worth it to consider that in all the cases mentioned above, patients reported their hair shedding stopped after an adjustment to dosage, or once treatment ended. 

For those who have recently begun taking a new medication and have noticed hair thinning or hair shedding, it would be advisable to speak with a doctor about switching to another medication. Remember, there were several antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications that did not make the list because there was no evidence linking them to hair loss.

That said, if a medication on this list lands in the medicine cabinet, the risk of hair loss remains very low. 

Summary

It’s true there are case studies linking some psychopharmaceuticals to hair loss. But generally, the incidence rates are low, and hair loss tends to stop when dosages are lowered or the use of the drug is discontinued.

That said, for the individual experiencing hair loss, it’s of little comfort to know that risk is low. Maintaining healthy hair can be an important part of maintaining emotional and psychological health. If treating anxiety or depression is having a negative effect on hair, it may be time to talk to a doctor or dermatologist about an alternative treatment plan.

While happiness and health should always supersede hair growth, in this case, people shouldn’t have to sacrifice either.