[chels127]

So very frustrated. I've researched every mood stabilizer, and it seems they all have hair loss as a possible side effect.I tried Lamictal - no help at all with my depression and my hair fell out in chunks which made depression worse. Tried Depakote for a short time, and couldn't stop eating. Wasn't on it long enough for hair loss side effect. Any suggestions? Does this side effect go away eventually. I see my NP tomorrow, but she keeps pushing Depakote and I don't think it's a good idea due to the hair loss/appetite thing, plus I haven't read any stories of it helping with the deep depression I'm currently in. Thanks for any suggestions everyone.

[~Christina]

Well the gold standard first made mood stabilizer specifically for Bipolar is Lithium

Many people tolerate it well. I had no hair loss when I was on it.

[Blue_Bird]

I don't have hair loss on Trileptal

[BipolaRNurse]

I lost quite a bit of hair when I first went on Lamictal. But it leveled off after a few months and grew back. I lost a whole lot more years later when I lost 100 lbs. after my husband passed away. I have since gained that back, but my hair is thicker now than it was before and hard to handle. So be careful what you wish for, you may get it.

I take a large dose of Tegretol XR, and have taken it for about 7 years, and have more hair than I want. Lamictal never caused me any hair loss. Neither did Depakote or Trileptal. I did experience a period of hair loss on Lithium, but that side effect did eventually ease and wasn't an issue in the beginning of my treatment. I have not experienced any hair loss from any antipsychotic I've ever taken.

I don't know how effective Tegretol XR is at curbing or easing depression. I have never considered it particularly for depression. From what I've read, it tends to be a bit more efficacious for the manic side of the illness, however, I have not had much depression at all (beyond situational depression) for many years. Of the medications in my mix, I consider Lamictal, Seroquel XR, and Latuda to be the ones helpful for keeping my depression away or taking off any "depression edge". But who knows. Maybe Tegretol XR is a true moodstabilizer for me in terms of keeping away depression, and I just haven't fully realized it.

I find Tegretol XR to be the most side effect friendly moodstabilizer I've ever been on. It is weight neutral for me. The ONLY side effect that I think I get from it is clumsiness. If I was a professional dancer or tight rope walker, that would be very problematic, but I'm not. I do break things frequently, but don't generally fall. I confess that I have not felt comfortable riding my bike in a long time. I'm sure I could, though, but I'd have to be very mindful about it. I must say that when I first started Tegretol XR, I experienced double and blurry vision bouts, but that ceased as I grew used to the medication, and was more freaky than problematic. Only years later did I have another brief bout of double vision. My psychiatrist lowered my Tegretol XR from 1400 to 1200, and that did the trick.

[Nola0250]

I’ve had hair loss while on lamictal, but it wasn’t from the lamictal. It was an extended hypomanic mixed episode and the associated stress and weight loss caused about 1/3rd of my hair to fall out. It all grew back once I was stable.

[downandlonely]

My hair has been thinning for several years now, and I didn't know why. Now I realize it's probably the lamictal. Thanks for letting me know. I might get off it. I don't think it's doing much for the depression anyway.

[Moose72]

Every time I wash or brush my hair, I lose some. I'm on Haldol and Seroquel and Rexulti.

[BipolarWolf]

I am losing mine on top, there's some there now, but I usually keep my hair nice and short. no guard on sides and a 4 on top.
not sure which med is doing it, or if it's just my genetics. my dad had the same type of hair loss. I don't mind losing my hair really, it's bound to happen. but I know that its way different for a woman. no woman wants to lose her hair.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

Have you tried treating the hair loss? I lost hair on some combinations of meds but Centrum Silver (for selenium and I think biotin) and a shampoo/treatment called Nioxin helped it all grow back.

[Phoenix_1]

Originally Posted by downandlonely

My hair has been thinning for several years now, and I didn't know why. Now I realize it's probably the lamictal. Thanks for letting me know. I might get off it. I don't think it's doing much for the depression anyway.

Me too. I thought my thinning hair was just from getting old or heredity. I'm 65. Maybe it's time to change or adjust my lamictal.

[Daonnachd]

I haven't noticed any med-related hair loss...

Originally Posted by Daonnachd

I haven't noticed any med-related hair loss...

Love ya! Thanks for the humor.

[*Beth*]

I am so sorry about your hair loss. I'm on Lamictal, but have never noticed hair loss from any medication. I encourage you to be very proactive with the person writing your prescriptions and insist that you want a med that does not cause hair loss.


In addition to a better med I agree with others who suggested supplements. Honestly, I'm generally not that much into supplements (I probably should be), but my nails were badly damaged from gel polish. I stopped the gel polish and began taking biotin. To my surprise my nails are definitely growing faster and stronger.

[unaluna]

I just got a buzzcut cuz i was tired of my head looking like an old sofa pillow that the dog chewed the stuffing half out of, so i have no comment.

[Sunflower123]

Originally Posted by BethRags

I am so sorry about your hair loss. I'm on Lamictal, but have never noticed hair loss from any medication. I encourage you to be very proactive with the person writing your prescriptions and insist that you want a med that does not cause hair loss.


In addition to a better med I agree with others who suggested supplements. Honestly, I'm generally not that much into supplements (I probably should be), but my nails were badly damaged from gel polish. I stopped the gel polish and began taking biotin. To my surprise my nails are definitely growing faster and stronger.

I second the biotin. It’s helped my hair grow long quickly and more thickly. It’s also helped my nails.

[Travelinglady]

I take Tegretol as a mood stabilizer, I didn't have hair loss with Lamictal, though. I hope you can find something that works for you,

[chels127]

Originally Posted by BeyondtheRainbow

Have you tried treating the hair loss? I lost hair on some combinations of meds but Centrum Silver (for selenium and I think biotin) and a shampoo/treatment called Nioxin helped it all grow back.

I take Nature Made for Her multivitamin, which has zinc and selenium. But I will check out Centrum Silver too. I've been reluctant to try Nioxin because reviews I've read say they've changed the formula and now it's just expensive crap, lol. But if it worked for you then maybe I should give it a chance. Thank you!

[BeyondtheRainbow]

I used nioxin a long time ago so if they've changed it maybe look into other hair regrowth products. There's some chemical like DHT that makes it work and I think there are other products with this.

The Centrum Silver has more of the selenium (and biotin?) than regular v.itamins, or so my old dr told me. I think you can also get selenium alone too.

[fern46]

Sorry about the hair loss. You can also try essential oils. Several of them have been proven to be effective at promoting new growth and strength. They are easy to use and typically cheap compared to other treatments. Here's a good article explaining the effects and how to use them.

9 Essential Oils for Hair Growth & Health: What to Use & How to Use