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Hair loss and Topamax

I have been prescribed Wellbutrin for depression and Topamax as a mood stabilizer.  The combination worked very well for me and the bonus was that I lost weight.  However, I also lost hair.  I was wondering if anyone else experienced the same problem.
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Avatar universal
I was on Topamax for migraines for 2 years and noticed considerable hair loss.  Fortunately, after I stopped taking it, my hair did grow back.  One year later, and my hair has returned to its thick-self.  Sadly, the migraines have returned as well.  
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
I am currently on 100 mg of Topamax, I take 50 mg in the morning and 50 mg at night.  I am 42 years old, and I have been taking it for two years.  At first, I didn't notice any hair loss, just a foggy brain (initially I was on 75 mg in the morning, so I dropped 25 mg, with my Doctor's permission).  The brain fog went away, but I still have memory loss, a compromised immune system (more colds this year that I usually get) and I drop a lot of items on the floor.  I also have a ton of hair loss.  I have chin length hair, and gobs of it comes out in the shower, as well as when I put my styling products in (Mousse).  I am going to talk to my Doctor about getting off this medication.  I take it for migraines.  It used to take me 20 minutes to blow dry my hair, it was so thick, now it takes just 5 minutes.  Also, I have not lost a single pound on this medication.  I am 5'8" and weigh 140 lbs.  I eat very healthy, lots of fruits, veggies, protein, vitamins,  and very little sugar and carbs.  I know that all this hair loss I am experiencing is absolutely a side effect of the medication, as this is the only medication I am on, and I had no hair loss before starting this.  I wish I had known that this was a side effect.  It sure has been a wake-up call for me to better inform myself as a patient. In the future when I take medications, I will research they thoroughly.  I wish everyone the best of luck, as they search for answers and solutions.  
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
I was on topamax for a year and I started noticing more and more hair falling out. It has been a year an I take evening primrose oil and skin, hair, nails vitamins, calcium, d, b12 and e and c. My hairdresser to have stopped falling out. My hairline went back and my scalp (temple area) is thinner than the rest of my head. I have been adding castor oil to my leave in conditioner and it seems to be helping. Castor oil thickens your hair and helps it grow. There are several you tube videos. I add it to my conditioner twice a week. It also leaves my hair healthy and shiny looking
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
I took topamax for several years with no problems for migraines, then out of the blue  I started having hair loss, I lowered my dosage..it didn't help..then stopped completely..still didn't help. It has been over FIVE years since I have even touched a topamax and still every year I go through months of hair loss. I have very thin hair to begin with, so I am now showing bald areas. Topamax causes reoccuring alopecia..some people never have the hair loss again after they stop or for numerous years..others have it like I do off and on all the time and the more times the hair falls out the less likely it is to grow back..which is exactly what I'm seeing. This is INSANE and not right at all!!! Topamax lists hair loss as a "least likely" side effect..yeah right!! not from what I see from people, but yet when I went to numerous doctors they wouldn't even consider it as the problem because of topamax stating that...I had to research it and diagnose myself..I would stop taking it and then try a small dose one day and magically enough  more than normal massive hair loss followed. Some people have even lost all their hair. I am in my thirties and I don't believe I should have to live like this..and it cost a fortune for all the hair loss products to even try to save my hair..I will have to do this the rest of my life. I believe this company needs to warn people about this and not state it as a "least likely" side effect because it's not..people need to know what they are getting into..it will cost you the rest of your life to take this medication..it's not worth it! Good luck to all of you who are dealing with this..I really feel for you...I have been so depressed since all of this and can't stand to go out in public anymore! And to all of you considering taking topamax....DON'T...PLEASE!!! And if anyone is interested in filing a law suit and getting something done about this medication..I would be more than willing to do the leg work and get it started. Anyone can reach me at ***@**** free to write. I wish the bst for all of you..I know what a nightmare this can be!!
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Avatar universal
Idk if anyone looks at this blog anymore but I hope so. I only just turned 18 and have lost up to half my hair. My hair was so thick that hair ties couldn't even hold it up. I've been on topamax for epilepsy for I think 5 years. I've gone to tons of doctors and no one had an answers for me. I got a biopsy which came back as telogen effluvium, so I thought it would stop but it just kept going. I noticed the hair loss like 4 years after being on it which didn't make any sense to me but all the bloodwork and tests j have been getting done were coming back negative. 2 weeks ago I got off the topamax and went strait to zonogram. My hair is falling out like crazy it won't stop, I don't know how I have any hair Left! I'm only 18 and I don't want to deal and worry about wearing wigs or using special hair products for the rest of my life. Can someone help!!! It's not coming out any less after being off of it for two weeks, how long does it take to get out of my system? Or will it ever stop
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2 Comments
i took 25mg of topamax for 8 days, ive lost 50 percent of my hair. i stopped 2 weeks ago and im still losing loads, my scalp is so sore and burning too. anybody have any ideas
IT'S THE TOPAMAX! 100%! GUARANTEED!! I had thick hair too, and since I started the topamax it started thinning like crazy! So bad that I started using ROGAINE. It takes up to a year after you STOP taking topamax for your hair to stop falling out. But you WILL get your hair BACK!
Avatar universal
Does anyone have any information from the manufacturer about what happens during use of Topamax that causes hair loss?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hair loss with Topamax or Topiramate.. Yes, it is true.  I have been on it for almost 10 years now.  I was taking 150 mg daily for migraines and now I am down to 100 mg.  When my hair started to fall out, my doctor put me on PRENATAL VITAMINS & it REALLY helped.  I wanted to post this for all the others out there who need to take this drug but struggle with the hair loss.  I am currently trying to get off Topamax as I search out other alternatives like taking Magnesium & B2.  PS- I do have Zomig when things get really bad & it's been a life saver!  I also keep the ice pack AND heating pad ready at ALL times.  Ice for my head and heat for my neck and shoulders.  Hope that helps.
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1 Comments
Wow ten years is a very long time to be on topamax...I wonder are you still on this drug? As I just came upon your post. I am on this drug and have been on it since 2014, my doctor has currently upped my dosage to 150 mgs. I to have experienced all the usual symptoms listed weight loss and hair loss, at first my doctor would not even consider hair loss a side effect of the drug, regardless I am depressed and don't know what I should do moving forward. Should I continue to take the drug or stop it altogether. It does work for me and when they get bad I have zomig. How have you been able to hold it together for 10 years? Maria
Avatar universal
hi i went off topomax 200 mg cold turkey. bad idea. i regained the 50 lbs in a short time ): hair is thicker though
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Avatar universal
Hi, folks,

Since this thread is old and the original participants are no longer taking part, we'll close it now.  If you'd like to ask a question or start a new thread, please click the "Post a Question" button near the top of this page.  Thanks!

Claire
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                               ******** CLOSED DISCUSSION ********

                                        No more comments, please.
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Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
If you are loosing your hair day by day and want to ocontrol the hair fall. Then groei360 is the best product for you to prevent hair fall. You can go through the online review of groei360 and know more about its benefit.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I just recently went off Topomax cold turkey because I was noticing hair loss.  I was on it for a little over a year taking 50mg 2x a day.  My migraines have been manageable.  I take motrin 600mg at onset of a headache and it goes away fast.  As for the hair loss, I am not taking 15000mcg biotin in addition to a woman's multi vitamin and extra vitamin e and Co q10.  I'm hoping my hair will be restored!
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Avatar universal
I have been on 200mg a day, 100 am and 100 pm, for a year and have not had any hair loss. Do you think it is the amount of Mg that you are on that is making you loose your hair? I have noticed on here that most people that say they are on 300 or 400mg. Im nervous to loose my hair and I'm wondering if i should stop the medication. Would I have had hair loss already?
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2 Comments
I take 100mgs in the AM & 100mgs in the PM & My hair keeps falling out. Been on this dose for ove two & a half years now so You’re lucky!
Hi pinkymd, thanks for finidng us and adding tot he conversation.  How is it going?
Avatar universal
How do you use the oil?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I'm 53  and am on 100 mg. of Topamax daily.  I also had thick hair all my life up until about 5 years ago when I was pre-menopausal. I began losing hair slowly and friends started noticing bald spots on top of my head.  I was horrified!  So I totally relate to all of you ladies!  
I was not on Topamax at that time of any other drug that caused this.  I know genetically my grandmother and mother had thinning hair later in their lives.  Bummer.  I also am a type A personality and stress a lot.  I didn't eat right.   Didn't take many vitamins.  Don't get me wrong, but I' ve been seeing a dermatologist for this hair loss for years now.  He's done blood tests for everything from thyroid (negative), to lupus (which also can cause hair loss) and nothing but genetic and post-menopausal issues are to blame.  It happens with age ladies.  I'm trying to take lots of vitamins, like everybody is saying, biotin, prenatal multis, B-6, etc., eat well, protein, get a GOOD haircut and color to accentuate the positive, and do what we can.  I'm so sorry for the younger girls, especially.  It's hard enough on us ladies who are stuggling when we're a littler older  Good luck everybody....
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Avatar universal
HI ive been taking 75 mg of topamax for over 3 yrs and I had really really thick hair as well and was told my hair loss was due to my 3rd stage kidney disease then when I got diabetes that it was due to that. Now im getting really bad bouts of vertigo was well and I think it due to Topamax as well. So I just emailed my Dr. that I want to get off it ASAP.
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Avatar universal
This is my third week on Topamax. I read about the side effect of hair loss. I already have fine, thin hair, so I started taking Biotin and Selenium and using Nioxin for thin hair before I started on the Topamax. So far, it has worked and I'm not losing any hair. Maybe you can try that. See if it works for you.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am also on 100mg.  I was also put on it for migraines several months ago.  Last week I had one of the worst migraines of my life.  Aside from the I cannot focus well on my work, am occasionally aphasic, am forgetful and recently realized my hair is coming out from the roots.
That's it.  I have had it.  My hair is blonde and baby fine anyway. I can ill afford to lose more.
I have lost 20lbs total slowly.  I may not keep it off.  But this med is not working well enough to ruin my life.  I am going to start backing it down as of today to 50 in the morning and 25mg at night.  Then 25mg and 25.  Then the last week 25mg only.  Then none.  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Have you stopped taking the topamax now?  Have you noticed your hair falling out? I am on 300 mg a day and my hair is falling out like crazy. I have a bald patch showing in the front. I am devastated! Can't figure it out except for this medication.  Let me know please.  Thanks!
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Avatar universal
Absolutely NOT!  I wish I could tell you otherwise but I have been on 125mg of Topamax for years, 5000mg of Biotin daily and fish oil supplements and even after 3 months of being off the Topamax I'm still losing hair. I have come to the conclusion that if I'm going to be bald with multiple hospitalizations due to out of control migraines then I prefer to to deal with hair loss and minimals migraines.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I take one 25mg pill of topiramate a day for migraines , I noticed hair lose only 3 weeks into taking the med. It comes out when I am just moving my hair out of my face, I use a colm it comes out in gobbs, take a showers I can feel it just running down my back and seeing it going into the drain. I hate when I am washing my hair and I get hands filled with it. It is bad. I was never told about any side effects on the meds like this. Side effects I have a are Hair loss, Tingling of hands and fingers, tiredness alot, mood swings at times. Granted no more migraines. My next appointment is soon and I am gonna see how I need to go off these meds cause. After 1.5 years on them it is time to see if I truly even need them anymore. And I have heard from others there can be bad side effects going off them as well.
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Avatar universal
hi! i am just like you!!! and i am desperate now :(
did you get off the topamax?
how long did you take it after your hair started falling out? thanx
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Avatar universal
I mentioned this in my post on Topamax, but I've been on it for 3 years and take 150mg and I used to have very thick hair and last summer my stepmom commented on how thin my hair had gotten, but there are not bald spots and had she not mentioned it I really wouldnt have noticed it.

The topamax combiined with my 60mg of Paxi and other medications have been wonderful and I have  no plan to get off of it unless I have to because I'm unsure if my hair thinning is due to genetics or my thyroid or if it is iin fact the time on Topamax. Sorry I can't be more help.
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Avatar universal
I started taking topamax 3 months ago for seizures I weighed 110lbs was 11% body fat looked the best i had ever looked in my life after having three kids. No seizures with the topamax but the side effects are horrible if i would of known all the horrible side effects and read up on these sites before starting this drug i would of never stared it. I would rather have a grandmal every couple weeks then the nasty side effects i lost 10lbs i cant work out anymore i am losing all my hair feels like i have pins and needles in my feet i have difficulty concentrating or paying attention i had to start taking a nausea medication just to be on topamax loss of appetite i have diarrhea memory loss anxiety my gums swell i got increase of acne all these side effects are not worth not it wish someone would of told me before i started taking it best of luck to you.  I even tried taking weight gainer shakes and vitamins biotin and fish oil and didn't help my hair loss or my weight really think about it before you start taking it or ask about other drugs that are available with less side effects I went to the Dr. yesterday and begged them to take me off i could not take it anymore. Best of luck to you I am 33 and have had seizures since i was 12 this is the longest i have ever went without having seizures is using topamax but again the side effects are just not worth it i have never had a drivers license and thinking i might have been able to get one staying on topamax still was not worth it to me.
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Avatar universal
I took Topomax for about 4 weeks for Migraines. Which it did it's job. Unfortunately I started to lose my thick hair and I was dropping weight ALOT (A side effect I wasn't hoping for) All in all in about 2 weeks I lost 15 lbs and by the time I stopped taking it I had lost 25.  After I stopped, I read that taking Biotin (5000mcg), selenium, zinc, and folic acid would combat the hair loss along with eating lots of protein and drinking a lot of water. I started this regimen right after I got off, my hair loss stopped immediately. Part of me wants to try Topomax again with this staunch regimen but I think I'll hold off
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