Lamictal and Hair Loss: What Users Say

• Doe...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 14, 2020

For Bipolar Disorder "It worked well, but over the course of 1.5 years, I had hair loss on my head, and even body hair was not growing back. My tests came back indicating minor hyperthyroidism, and I had constant constipation and gas. I gained a lot of weight too, which is weird. It turned out the Lamictal was causing problems with my biotin and vitamin B intake. After talking to my psychiatrist and stopping Lamictal, and taking biotin supplements, I could finally pass stool easily, and slowly my hair grew back... though I sort of missed my leg and underarm hair not growing. My weight and TSH level went back to normal after a few months too. Overall, it worked, but the side effects weren't good for me. So again, it helped me a lot, but"

• Lig...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 18, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "On Lamictal for bipolar, and I developed cognitive problems, memory loss, hair loss, and other problems. Had many serious depressive episodes and an increase in anxiety while on it. Worsened sleep. Difficult withdrawal occurred when trying to get off it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 13, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "Causes an obscene amount of hair loss. Many other people have experienced the same problem. Have tried every vitamin and supplement to stop it, but nothing has worked. Really improves my mood, but it is detrimental to the hair on my head. When I stop taking it, my hair grows back rapidly, but my mood plummets. Wish someone would come out with an improved version that does not cause hair loss. It’s a big problem."

• Non...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 9, 2019

For Epilepsy "Lamictal did not work for me, 200 mg in the am and 200 mg pm. No changes with seizures in my sleep, but side effects were insomnia, constipation, and hair loss. I had to take a sleep aid to get a decent night's sleep, or else 2 or 3 hours was all I could get."

• The...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 18, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "I experienced depressive episodes once every 10 years or so, lasting 18 months. When my husband died suddenly of coronary problems in '89, I was in a down stage, which didn't change until the doctor and I found Lamictal. I tried 11 medications before this without result, still locked into depression. I felt tired or hyper while we worked out the dosage. Very slight hair loss was a small price to pay for a new life! Friends even remarked on the favorable attitude change. I can't thank the developers enough, and it's a shame it doesn't work for all bipolar II sufferers!"

• Imo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 27, 2014

For Bipolar Disorder "I've suffered from depression and anxiety since I was a teen, made worse after the birth of my child. I tried various antidepressants, which had the usual side effects of headaches, sluggishness, low libido, and weight gain. One was a total disaster and triggered a hypomanic episode. I've spent three years medication-free, with no manic episodes but still struggling with depression. Three weeks ago, I started Lamictal. I know it's early days to call it a win, but I immediately felt better. The volume on that horrible self-talk has been muted, I feel positive and optimistic. No headaches, no loss of libido, and it is weight neutral. I have noticed a few side effects - the first week my skin was very itchy, and I'm losing more hair than usual. Hope this subsides."

• Jen...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 18, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "I've had a few unpleasant side effects. I feel truly blessed with this medication. I had bipolar 2, and other more common medications were not an option for my mood disorder. It keeps me so much more stable. I took a lot of drugs before and was suicidal. I was able to get off drugs and stopped my suicidal urges. I had grown unfaithful with psychiatry. I was sure that this medicine would not work like every other thing, but it helped me so much. There are so many positive effects. Prevents suicidal urges, lessens depression, relaxes my body, helped me take lower doses of Xanax, helps anxiety, helps sleep. Happy sometimes. Cons - It affects my memory badly, and I've lost a lot of hair. I'm a girl, and my hair is really thinning out. :/"

• Jen...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 18, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "I've had a few unpleasant side effects. I feel truly blessed with this medication. I had bipolar 2, and other more common medications were not an option for my mood disorder. It keeps me so much more stable. I took a lot of drugs before and was suicidal. I was able to get off drugs and stopped my suicidal urges. I had grown unfaithful with psychiatry. I was sure that this medicine would not work like every other thing, but it helped me so much. There are so many positive effects. Prevents suicidal urges, lessens depression, relaxes my body, helped me take lower doses of Xanax, helps anxiety, helps sleep. Happy sometimes. Cons - It affects my memory badly, and I've lost a lot of hair. I'm a girl, and my hair is really thinning out. :/"

• Som...
• July 10, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "I took this treatment with Zyprexa. It caused clumps of hair to fall out, my feet swelled, and while manic episodes were reduced, I felt restless and could not focus enough to even read or listen to someone. I felt agitated, just like a manic episode, but no explosive anger. So no, I do not recommend. I went back to Depakote on a smaller dose and get B vitamin and biotin injections twice a month to reduce hair loss. It is working for me so far. Depakote is the only med I’ve tried that lets me focus and feel free of that awful agitation, which is possibly the worst part of being bipolar."

• Anonymous
• September 10, 2010

For Bipolar Disorder "Before starting Lamictal, I'd been hospitalized 5 times for rapid cycling bipolar disorder 1, made one serious suicide attempt, and had more than 50 ECT treatments. I've been on almost every mood stabilizer, antidepressant, and antipsychotics. Lamictal has been the most helpful and has made me feel almost like a normal person - living and back to professional life. Side effects: hair thinning, nails okay. Sometimes memory and concentration problems, but hey, I did have a lot of shock therapy. Once I had sudden severe double vision that lasted several hours. Overall, it has been the most effective with the best side effects for me, smoother moods, less severe, better weight, better skin, better libido, and better gastrointestinal effects than lithium, other mood stabilizers, or antipsychotics."

• lan...
• July 16, 2009

For Bipolar Disorder "Lamictal is a great drug for me, except for the side effects. I now have had to be put on sleep medicines or I stay awake all night. I have also lost quite a lot of hair over the years of taking it. At one point (400mg) per day. Now at 200mg a day, it has not been as bad, but still significant. My memory has gotten almost to the point of giving up the medicine because it's so bad. I also have trouble thinking of words that I want to say and have never had that problem until taking Lamictal. It does have less or (better) side effects than some of the others, or I would have tried something else by now."

• bip...
• November 17, 2009

For Bipolar Disorder "The best medicine of the ones that I have tried. I still think I'm wacky. I have been losing my hair, though, it's obvious when I take a shower or brush my hair. My spouse noticed my hair loss too. I guess the question is, would I rather lose my hair or my mind?"

• Rig...
• June 5, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "Lamictal has been a game changer for me. I have been through the complete bipolar medication gauntlet. I now take 300 mg a day along with 200 mg Wellbutrin, 20 mg of Adderall, and hydroxyzine to sleep. I was able to stop taking Xanax because of this awesome drug! I have had this same regimen for a year and a half. Before this, I was about to give up all hope on medicines. Please keep in mind no medicine will ever fix your bipolar disorder. As far as side effects, I have had significant hair loss. I think that started with other medicines, though. I have also had extremely intense dreams. That's something I'm still getting used to."

• Anonymous
• August 23, 2011

For Bipolar Disorder "Seemed to help my rapid cycling at first, but the cycling would start again after a short time, and the dose would be raised. Each time, the 'good' period got shorter. I also found that my suicidal thoughts/visions increased while taking this medicine. Side effects are bad - all-over itching, headache, thinning hair, etc."

• Anonymous
• July 9, 2010

For Bipolar Disorder "The help I received from Lamictal was outstanding. It took a few weeks, but my down cycle wasn't nearly as bad, and the mania altogether stopped. In time, the cycles all stopped. BUT the side effects were too much to handle. I started to lose hair, my fingernails were so thick I broke nails typing (even on many vitamins and prescription vitamin D). I would bruise just by a bracelet resting on my arm for a few minutes, and then the bruise wouldn't go away. The worst side effect was terrible circulation. I have been on Topamax and experienced the poor circulation they talk about all the time, but this was something else entirely. I couldn't feel my fingertips, and my feet had NO feeling. My hands were ice cold all the time."

• Anonymous
• November 4, 2011

For Bipolar Disorder "I started taking this about five years ago for anxiety/OCD/extreme irritability (bipolar spectrum), and it is a great mood stabilizer. However, it seems all great remedies have their side effects. For me (40-something female), that meant some hair loss and memory issues. Also, I've noticed that if I miss even one dose (I take 150 mg twice a day), I start to get really agitated and irritable, so I'm afraid that it's permanently altered my biochemistry - guess I'm stuck with it. I still think I'm better off than the fat zombie most women become on antidepressants."

• Tin...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 12, 2022

"I have had a good experience with this medication. It has kept my moods even; I have less rage. I do have concerns about hair loss. Over the three years of taking this, I have had a lot of hair loss. Is there any advice that can help?"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 18, 2022

For Bipolar Disorder "Helps my mood, but causes hair loss and acid reflux."

• jul...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 22, 2014

For Bipolar Disorder "Seeing all the positive reviews, it's upsetting it didn't work out for me. I started losing my hair very rapidly. My hair is the thinnest it's ever been in my entire life. So I stopped taking it."

• Bip...
• April 4, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "Helps but makes my hair fall out. Someone please make a version that doesn’t make my hair fall out, I’m desperate and know other people experience this side effect too."

• Bri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 4, 2020

For Bipolar Disorder "Lamictal really helps me regulate my moods - I have borderline personality disorder. The only downside is I’ve lost a lot of hair."

• Lew...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 8, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "Not very helpful for the depression, except at a higher dose of 300+ mg. At that dose, I experienced severe hair loss, about a third of my hair fell out in about four months."

• Anonymous
• January 26, 2010

For Bipolar Disorder "I could not tell a difference in myself while taking this medication. To me, a major side effect was hair loss."

• yam...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 2, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "Lamictal works perfectly for me. The only issue is that it made my hair thin, but that was resolved with spironolactone."

• Ori...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 19, 2013

For Bipolar Disorder "If my mania wasn't a thing to be reckoned with, I'd stop taking this. My hair has been thinning for the past year, and without Abilify in my combination of meds, I'm a total zombie."