Antidepressants and Hair Growth: Understanding the Connection

The majority of antidepressants cause some degree of hair loss, called alopecia, or reduced hair growth.

Changes in Medication

• Many medications, in addition to antidepressants, can suppress the growth of hair during the initial phase of adjusting treatment. You can prevent hair loss by not changing medications regularly and taking them at the prescribed times.

Herbal Treatments

• Herbal treatments such as St. John's wort may also cause hair loss or reduced hair growth.

Texture Changes

• Antidepressants can also change the texture of hair. Some patients report that their hair turned prematurely gray or became curly or kinky and dry.

Time Frame

• Normal hair growth resumes when medication is stopped. It may take several weeks for the body to rid itself of trace amounts of the medication that suppresses hair growth.

Genetic Factors

• Those predisposed to hair loss may find that antidepressants set off permanent hair loss associated with male pattern baldness.