Alopecia Associated With Treatment With Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

January 2006 in “ Pharmacoepidemiology and drug safety ”

Karin Hedenmalm, Anders Sundström, Olav Spigset

alopecia selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRIs sertraline citalopram hair regrowth hair loss Zoloft Celexa

TLDR SSRIs can cause hair loss, especially sertraline, with higher risk in women.

The study investigated the link between alopecia and SSRIs using data from SWEDIS and Vigibase, identifying 27 reports of alopecia, predominantly in women (88.9%). Sertraline had a significantly higher reporting rate of alopecia compared to citalopram (20.1 vs. 4.5 reports per million patient-years). Sertraline was significantly associated with alopecia in both databases, while citalopram was only significant in Vigibase. No significant associations were found for other SSRIs. The study concluded that alopecia is a rare adverse reaction to SSRIs, with varying risks among different SSRIs and a potentially higher risk in women. Hair regrowth after discontinuing or reducing SSRIs suggested a dose-dependent effect.

View this study on onlinelibrary.wiley.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

4 / 4 results

research The Cutaneous Serotoninergic/Melatoninergic System: Securing a Place Under the Sun

349 citations , January 2005 in “The FASEB journal”

Human skin can make serotonin and melatonin, which help protect and maintain it.

research Telogen Effluvium: Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment

144 citations , July 2002 in “Clinical and Experimental Dermatology”

Telogen effluvium is a common type of hair loss that can resolve on its own or become chronic, with treatment depending on early diagnosis.

research Hair Loss in Psychopharmacology

63 citations , March 2000 in “Annals of clinical psychiatry”

Some psychiatric medications can cause hair loss, but it usually grows back after adjusting the medication.

research Alopecia Due to Psychotropic Medications

37 citations , May 1999 in “Annals of pharmacotherapy/The annals of pharmacotherapy”

Some psychotropic medications can rarely cause hair loss, and stopping these drugs usually reverses the condition.

Related Community Posts Join

6 / 1000+ results

community 5 alpha reductase type 1 is in brain tissue producing the main endogenous gabaergic allopregnanolone, not 2. How can finasteride as a 5ar2 lower that?

in Finasteride/Dutasteride 27 upvotes 1 year ago

Finasteride and dutasteride are discussed for hair loss, with concerns about their effects on neurosteroids and potential side effects like depression. Alternatives like topical estrogen and lifestyle changes are considered, with varying opinions on mental health and hair regrowth.

community EU Shouldn't Ban Fin & Dut: PFS is NOT REAL.

in Research/Science 12 upvotes 10 months ago

Finasteride and Dutasteride do not cause depression or "Post Finasteride Syndrome," with concerns often linked to the nocebo effect and preexisting mental health issues. The EU is unlikely to ban these drugs, but access may become more restricted due to ongoing debates.

community Androgenetic alopecia is a skin disease: DHT-mediated skin disorders

in Research/Science 63 upvotes 2 years ago

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) impacts various skin conditions, including Androgenetic alopecia and seborrheic dermatitis, by causing overactivity in sebaceous glands. Topical medications Tacrolimus and Clobetasol can reduce these inflammatory conditions, and treatments like RU58841, Minoxidil, and Finasteride may also be beneficial.

community The mechanism of androgenic alopecia

in Research/Science 34 upvotes 4 weeks ago

DHT may inhibit hair growth by affecting mitochondrial function, leading to hair follicle miniaturization. Treatments like minoxidil and PP405 may promote hair growth by altering metabolic pathways, potentially counteracting DHT's effects.

community I am a dermatologist with a clinical interest in alopecia. AMA

in Will treatment work for me? 3 years ago

In this conversation, 4990 discussed various treatments for hair loss, including oral minoxidil, PRP, transplan, Jak inhibitors, Dutasteride, Finasteride, Olumiant, Ketoconazole, RU58841, microneedling, baricitinib, and CCCA. They recommended scalp biopsies in unclear cases of DUPA, twice weekly to twice daily shampooing for topical minoxidil users, and two sessions spaced one month apart with follow up at month three to determine the effectiveness of PRP treatment.

community Efficacy and Tolerability of N-Acetyl-Cysteine for Treatment of The Early-onset Androgenetic Alopecia in Men

in Research/Science 27 upvotes 3 years ago

N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC) was found to improve hair parameters in men with early-onset androgenetic alopecia, showing increased terminal hair count and decreased vellus hair count, with good tolerability. NAC, used alone or with minoxidil, may help due to its antioxidant properties, though its effectiveness can vary among individuals.

Related Research

1 / 1 results

research Alopecia Associated With Treatment With Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

25 citations , January 2006 in “Pharmacoepidemiology and drug safety”

SSRIs can cause hair loss, especially sertraline, with higher risk in women.