Does Wellbutrin Cause Hair Loss? What to Know

Noticing more hair than usual in your brush or shower drain can be concerning, especially after starting a new medication. If you take Wellbutrin, you may wonder whether your antidepressant could be contributing to the change.

So, does Wellbutrin cause hair loss? Hair loss, medically called alopecia, has been reported in people taking Wellbutrin (bupropion), but it does not appear to be a common side effect. The official Wellbutrin XL prescribing information lists alopecia among reactions reported after the medication reached the market. Because these reports are voluntary, however, researchers cannot reliably determine how often hair loss occurs or confirm that Wellbutrin caused each reported case.

Why Might Hair Loss Occur While Taking Wellbutrin?

Wellbutrin is an antidepressant containing bupropion. It is prescribed to treat major depressive disorder and, in its extended-release form, to help prevent seasonal affective disorder.

If hair thinning begins after starting Wellbutrin, the medication is only one possible explanation. Hair loss can have many causes, including hereditary hair loss, aging, illness, major physical or emotional stress, autoimmune conditions, and certain hair-care practices. The American Academy of Dermatology notes that significant stress, illness, or surgery can sometimes lead to increased shedding several months later.

This can make the cause difficult to identify. Depression itself may occur during periods of substantial stress, while changes in appetite or health can happen around the same time a new antidepressant is started. Your healthcare provider may review when the shedding began, other medications you take, recent illnesses, dietary changes, and other symptoms before deciding whether Wellbutrin could be involved.

Does Wellbutrin Cause Anxiety?

Another common question is, does Wellbutrin cause anxiety? It can in some people. Anxiety, agitation, insomnia, nervousness, and feeling jittery have been reported with bupropion. In controlled clinical trials included in Wellbutrin XL prescribing information, anxiety occurred more frequently in some bupropion treatment groups than in placebo groups.

MedlinePlus also lists anxiety and agitation among possible bupropion side effects. Contact your healthcare provider if new or worsening anxiety becomes difficult to manage, particularly after beginning treatment or changing your dose.

What Should You Do About Hair Loss on Wellbutrin?

Do not stop Wellbutrin or change your dose on your own because you notice hair shedding. Your healthcare provider can help determine whether the medication, another health condition, or another factor is the more likely cause. Official prescribing information advises patients not to change their dose or stop bupropion without first speaking with their healthcare provider.

Consider contacting your provider if hair loss is persistent, rapidly worsening, occurring in patches, or accompanied by scalp symptoms or other unexplained health changes. A dermatologist can also help identify the type and cause of hair loss and discuss appropriate treatment options.

If your healthcare provider recommends continuing bupropion, Canada Pharmacy lists prescription bupropion through its Wellbutrin product page, with online ordering and home delivery options. Product availability and prescription requirements should be confirmed when ordering.

Hair loss is possible while taking Wellbutrin, but a direct connection is not always clear. Rather than assuming the medication is responsible, discuss new or bothersome hair thinning with your healthcare provider so the underlying cause can be evaluated.

FAQs

Is hair loss a common side effect of Wellbutrin?

Hair loss has been reported after Wellbutrin entered the market, but official prescribing information does not provide a reliable frequency or establish that the medication caused every reported case.

Will hair grow back after Wellbutrin-related hair loss?

Whether hair grows back depends on the underlying cause. Many forms of temporary shedding can improve once the trigger is addressed, but your healthcare provider or dermatologist should first determine what is causing the hair loss.

Should I stop Wellbutrin if my hair is thinning?

Do not stop or change Wellbutrin without speaking with your healthcare provider. They can evaluate other causes of hair loss and help determine whether a medication change is appropriate.

Can Wellbutrin make anxiety worse?

Yes, some people experience anxiety, agitation, nervousness, or insomnia while taking bupropion. New or worsening symptoms should be discussed with your healthcare provider.