How many people using Pristiq have had hair loss and did they stay on it?

Hello!
As with most, if not all, psychotropic medications Pristiq can potentially cause alopecia in a small number of users:
"Uncommon (0.1% to 1% of users): Alopecia"
There really are only three options. Trying a different medication, stopping the medication, or using prescription drugs that can slow or stop the hair loss.
Wildcat

I have always had a thick mane of hair.
Still do at 66. I did notice some hair fall after starting Pristiq at 50 mg. I did a bond treatment of k-18 and that is when the hair fall started. Bond treatments can cause hair fall in some people. I did not do my research before I did that treatment. Not smart. With zinc, selenium, a rosemary, supplements, and a multivitamin it has slowed down. not sure what age hair thinning starts but I’m just not ready for it but I know there’s some things you cannot control. It does seem like Pristiq has some role in this, so I will continue the medication because it helps my depression so much and I will continue the supplements and scalp treatments that are helping. Just to note, I do take brand-name Pristiq because I’m on a program with their company. Thank you all for your post.

I’ve been taking desvenlafaxine succinate (generic Pristiq) 100mg for 12 years. I want to stop so bad, but it really has helped. I’ve tried many other drugs & Pristiq is my answer for depression/anxiety. Yes, my long, full & thick hair is no more because it falls out like crazy!
I never linked the lost to Pristiq, but did mention it to my dermatologist & she put me on a liquid Rx to use on my scalp. We didn’t discuss what the cause could be, I thought “stress”
I don’t have any bald spots-just less hair overall. I will address this new-found information
With my dermatologist at my January appointment. I’m grateful to see these posts.

I am also so thankful for this thread of questions and answers. I have been so depressed about my thinning hair, now I totally think it has to do with Pristiq. I used to have a head full of beautiful hair and now it’s so thin. Is there a better alternative to Pristiq? It seemed to be working other than my poor hair.

I am so thankful for this post!! So many people said I was imagining things when I said after 3 weeks of Pristiq about half my hair was gone. I’ve never had anything like this happen and had nightmares about it after going off the pills immediately. I’ve been taking some high quality hair & nail supplements along with flaxseed oil and magnesium supplements. So far the loss has stopped and the hair I have left is feeling stronger with less shedding. It’s only been about 10 days but I know we all went on this to help with anxiety and other issues so this definitely didn’t help anything!! Hope you all are doing better each day!!

I'm glad to see I'm not the only one. Inwas on Pristiq for about 6 months before my hair started falling out. I was on a few other medications including phentermine for weight loss and thought it may be one of those. So i went off everything except Pristiq to try and solve the problem bc the hair loss was so extreme!! Hair was everywhere, my pony tail went from the the size of a hair tie to the size of a dime!! Then I got bald on top. My doctor kept saying it was from my recent dramatic weight loss. It didn't occur to me that it would be Pristiq bc I looked up the side effects and hair loss wasn't listed. Anyway I ended up pregnant shortly thereafter and had to go off Pristiq. My hair came back within 4 months and its 2 lengths but at least it's back! I'm sad bc Pristiq worked so well for me but I won't be bald, it's not worth it!

I've been on it for 6 months and noticed my hair was thinning. I never even thought it would be from the medication, until lastnight when just running my fingers through my hair, a clump fell out!!
I recently had my thyroid checked and an entire blood panel done and everything was absolutely healthy.
My fella pointed out that I started complaining about my thinner hair shortly after I started taking Pristiq 50mg. I stopped taking it today, its not worth losing my hair.

I have been on many SSRI's without much luck so my dr put me on Pristiq. Within a few days, my anxiety and depression improved dramatically. Everything was going fine for about 6 months and then my hair started falling out in handfuls. This lasted for about a month and then it slowed quite a bit but still falling out. The front of my hairline now has a little indentation where there is almost no hair. I can now see my scalp through the few hair follicles and I have about 1/2 my hair left. Not only did it fall out but the hair itself is actually thinner and not coarse and thick like it had been for 30 years. Also I feel the strain of having it in a ponytail and seems the root isn't as strong because it will come out when I am just trying to detangle it. I'm almost done tapering off but my anxiety is coming back. I am terrified to try anything else but I'm not sure it was the Pristiq. Any thoughts or similar experiences?

I started Pristiq in January 50mg. Switched to 100 mg in May as not noticing anything. I have not had that problem. But it still not really helping me. But have been on soooo many, that made me sick. This one at least doesn't do that...

I started pristiq 5 months ago, and am having hair loss as well... I have NO HAIR ON TOP OF MY HEAD...

hi Lroos17, yes pristiq can cause hair loss. doctors all say that it is very rare and uncommon, but it does do this to some people. i started pristiq and not long at all after my hair started thinning and thinning. i keep taking it, thinking it would eventually stop, but it only got worse. after 5 weeks of taking it i felt on my head and it felt like nothing was there. yes, i had a huge bald spot on my head. i stopped it that day. my hair is still falling out even now, i guess it took five weeks to get in my system, so it's gonna take that long before it gets out of my system. doctors try to say that it's stress or my thyroid, but i had blood work done and everything was fine. stress has never made my hair fall out. it started right after i started pristiq. NO THANK YOU PRISTIQ!!!

Your question is not easily answered because not everyone who uses Pristiq and experiences hair loss will report it.
In fact hair loss is not a reported side effect of Pristiq.
See: https://www.drugs.com/sfx/pristiq-side-effects.html
If you are experiencing hair loss and are concerned you should see your doctor to find the cause.
https://www.drugs.com/health-guide/alopecia-areata.html