SSRI and hair loss?

Question

I have been dealing with AGA now for 7 years. If I get on lexipro for my mental health if it induces telogen affluvium (hair shedding) when will that begin? In the second week of beginning of taking Lexipro? If I stop taking Lexipro would the hairs that are protected by finasteride that were not miniaturized at the time of taking Lexipro but was impacted by TE would they grow back? What about the hairs that are already miniaturized? Please answer all of the questions. Thank you!! :)

Jeff Rapaport, MD · Answer

Interesting questions. There is no way to predict whether Lexapro will cause a Teleogen Effluvium unless this has occurred in your past. Most likely not. However,  should you develop a TE, and you are on Finasteride, 
the hairs should grow back including miniaturized hairs. Adding Minoxidil at that point would improve the post TE results. Find a hair expert.
Jeff Rapaport MD FAAD 
Realself Hall of Fame

Audrey G. Bauer, MD · Answer

Although the risk of hair loss associated with escitalopram is generally rare, antidepressants can cause telogen effluvium, a type of temporary hair loss triggered by things like stress and medication. Telogen effluvium occurs when hair follicles in the resting phase fall out too early. It is a rare and reversible side effect that may develop in the first few month of treatment and that is resolved after stopping the taking of the drug. Any hair follicles that are present (vellus or terminal) would be expected to grow back in a similar condition.

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SSRI and hair loss?

Answers (2)

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