Does citalopram cause hair loss?

Ah, citalopram. The wonder drug that can improve your life and make you feel like a new person. But does it come with side effects? One common question is: does citalopram cause hair loss?

Well, I’ve done some digging (not literally) to bring you the answers. Here’s what you need to know.

What Is Citalopram?

Before we dive into hair loss, let’s talk about what this drug actually is because knowledge is power, baby! Citalopram is an antidepressant medication belonging to a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs for short. Essentially what this means in English (and not just medical jargon) is that the drug increases certain chemicals in our brain such as serotonin which can help regulate mood.

Citalopram has been found effective in treating depression, anxiety disorders such as panic disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) among others. So, if you’re experiencing these kinds of symptoms don’t worry – there’s hope.

Common Side Effects Of Citalopram

Like many medications out there (cue long list here) citalopram comes with its own set of possible side effects ranging from mild to severe depending on the individual taking them:

  • Headaches
  • Insomnia
  • Dry mouth
  • Fatigue
  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea or constipation
    …just to name but a few.

And yes, hair loss can be one of them too (scary stuff?) but before we get ahead of ourselves let’s look at how likely it actually is for folks who are prescribed this magic little pill by their doctors:

How Likely Is Hair Loss As A Side Effect Of Using Cilatropam?

Here’s the good news – although any medication may have side effects, they generally only affect a small percentage of people that are taking the drug.

Hair loss as a side effect when taking citalopram is considered to be quite rare by healthcare professionals (cue sighs of relief) but does occur on occasion in some patients. In other words, it’s not something you need to constantly worry about or obsess over.

However, if you have noticed hair loss since starting citalopram treatment then do speak with your doctor – there may be an underlying issue at play such as nutritional deficiencies which could also cause hair loss.

Why Does Cilatropam Cause Hair Loss?

Now for some geeky pharmacology stuff – excuse me while I put my professor hat on here! Still there? Great!

The science behind this possible side effect isn’t totally clear yet and many studies done so far are shrouded in 🕵️‍♂️mystery🕵️ due to their inconclusiveness.

However, it’s believed that changes in hormonal balance caused by SRRIs might impact certain glands in our body like the thyroid gland thereby possibly leading to hair thinning or shedding (gasp!)

What Can You Do If You Experience Hair Loss When Taking Citalopram?

Fear not dear reader because I’ve got your back. Firstly – don’t panic because worrying won’t help matters and remember – this is really quite rare so give yourself a pat on the back for being part of an exclusive club #GlamorousBaldness

Here’re some tips if you are experiencing w/hair loss:

Talk To Your Doctor:

This should go without saying but please make sure you inform your doctor immediately especially if any new symptoms arise after starting citalopram treatment including losing more strands than usual.

Be Gentle On Your Hair:

Try avoiding tight hairstyles (no samurai buns pls) that could put extra pressure on your remaining hair. Be kind to those precious strands with gentle shampoo and conditioning treatments that will help condition follicles.

Consider Taking Supplements

Zinc is great for new cell growth and maintaining a healthy scalp so incorporating this into your everyday diet may do wonders. Biotin is also another favourite amongst wellness enthusiasts which helps boost the structural protein keratin found in our hair #HealthIsWealth

The Bottom Line

So there you have it folks – citalopram can indeed potentially cause hair loss, but not something to be constantly worried about. If you are noticing greater-than-normal amounts of hair falling out then speak with a healthcare professional ASAP because they know what’s best.

If any changes need to be made, trust them and just go along for the ride but remember baldness isn’t all that bad: less time taken up with washes, dries or bad hair days…and who knows bald might just become the next beauty statement!

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