Antidepressants and hair loss are not as closely connected as they may seem. If shedding begins after a new prescription or dose change, the medication is one possible cause. But stress, illness, hormonal changes, and nutritional deficiencies can produce the same pattern.
The Short Answer
Antidepressants may contribute to hair shedding in some people, but hair loss is not among the common antidepressant side effects listed by the NHS.
- Timing can offer a clue, but it cannot prove the cause.
- Other triggers should be considered before blaming the medication.
- Never stop or change an antidepressant without speaking to your GP, prescriber or pharmacist.
Can Antidepressants Cause Hair Loss?
Yes, although the evidence is limited. Hair loss appears in the UK product information for several antidepressants, so it is recognised as a possible adverse reaction. That does not establish the cause in an individual case.
Which Antidepressants List Hair Loss As A Side Effect?
Medicine leaflets and product information may use the medical term “alopecia”, which simply means hair loss. The selected UK examples below are not a complete list or a ranking.
| Medicine | Category in UK product information reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sertraline | Uncommon |
| Fluoxetine | Uncommon |
| Citalopram | Uncommon |
| Escitalopram | Uncommon |
| Venlafaxine | Uncommon |
| Amitriptyline | Rare |
| Nortriptyline | Rare |
In UK product information, “uncommon” means at least 1 in 1,000 but fewer than 1 in 100; “rare” means at least 1 in 10,000 but fewer than 1 in 1,000. These categories describe the available safety data, not your personal risk. Check the leaflet supplied with your own medicine, as information can differ between products.
What Else Could Be Causing The Shedding?
Hair shedding often has more than one possible trigger. Consider what else changed in the preceding months, including:
- Emotional or physical stress
- Illness, infection or surgery
- Iron deficiency or thyroid problems
- Pregnancy, perimenopause or other hormonal changes
- Rapid weight loss or a restricted diet
- Other medicines or an underlying form of hair loss
Our guide to sudden hair thinning explores these causes in more detail.
Does The Pattern Or Timing Offer Any Clues?
Medication-related shedding may be diffuse, affecting the scalp more generally rather than leaving a defined bald patch. It can resemble telogen effluvium, a temporary disruption to the hair growth cycle.
The British Association of Dermatologists says telogen effluvium commonly becomes noticeable around three months after a trigger. A review of published SSRI case reports found a much wider range, however. Timing is therefore useful context, not proof. Patchy loss, redness, scaling, pain or scarring may point to another diagnosis and should be assessed.
What Should You Do If Your Hair Is Shedding?
- Keep taking your antidepressant as prescribed unless your clinician advises otherwise.
- Note when the shedding began, plus any recent changes in dose, health, stress, diet or weight.
- Speak to your GP, prescriber or pharmacist about whether the medicine is a plausible contributor.
- Ask whether other causes, such as iron deficiency or a thyroid condition, should be investigated.
If a treatment change is appropriate, your prescriber can weigh the possible side effect against the antidepressant’s benefits and help you change it safely.
Supporting Your Hair From The Inside Out
While the cause is being investigated, a consistent routine can support hair condition and protect vulnerable strands.
Hair Gain Capsules and Hair Gain Gummies each provide 100mg of AnaGain™, derived from organic pea shoots. A peer-reviewed pilot study reported a significant reduction in hairs lost after 28 days with 100mg of the extract daily. Both formulas also contain biotin and zinc, which contribute to the maintenance of normal hair. Check with your GP or pharmacist before adding a supplement alongside prescription medication.
Hair Gain’s Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner use peptides, vitamins and marshmallow root extract to cleanse, hydrate and strengthen. Scalp Foam moisturises the scalp, while the Hair Mask hydrates and conditions the lengths. Used together, the Foam and Mask reduce hair breakage and fall by up to 60% from the first use.*
These products can support hair condition and help limit breakage, but they do not diagnose or treat a medication side effect.
When Should You Speak To A Doctor?
Ask for advice whenever shedding worries you. Your GP can investigate possible medical or medication-related causes, while a qualified trichologist can assess your hair and scalp more closely. Arrange an assessment if the shedding is heavy or persistent, or if you notice bald patches, scalp pain, redness, scaling, scarring or other symptoms.
Frequently asked questions
Is hair loss a common side effect of antidepressants?
No. The NHS does not list it among the common side effects, although some medicines list hair loss as uncommon or rare.
Can sertraline cause hair loss?
The UK product information reviewed lists hair loss as uncommon. That is a possible association, not a prediction.
Will my hair grow back?
It depends on the cause. Telogen effluvium often improves once its trigger has passed, but recovery takes time.
Should I stop my antidepressant?
No. Stopping suddenly can cause withdrawal symptoms and affect your mental health. Speak to your prescriber first.
Final Thoughts - Antidepressants and Hair Loss
Antidepressants can be associated with hair loss, but the side effect appears to be unusual. Keep taking your medication as prescribed while your clinician considers the full picture.
Read More
Mounjaro Hair Loss: What You Need to Know
Perimenopause Hair Loss: Causes, Symptoms & What Actually Helps
*Independently tested (brushing test), May 2023. Results achieved when Hair Gain Scalp Foam and Hair Mask were used together as a regime.
