I started taking Qsymia in November 2012 and had to stop in June 2013 due to hair loss. I lost 55 lbs and was very happy with the way it helped me control my eating but losing my hair was not a side effect I was aware of until it happened to me and I began researching. I found that hair loss is a common side effect with Topiramate. I'm one month out from stopping Qsymia and my hair is still shedding horribly every day. Anyone else experiencing this symptom?
Qsymia - Anyone else experience hair loss?
Question posted by jenlikesfood on 8 July 2013
Last updated on 24 August 2024
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
28 Answers Page 2
Marlina91
8 Jan 2018
I have lost 40 pounds over the last 2 years taking Belviq (I think another name for Qsymia) I have to say it's been a miracle drug for me as far as appetite control.
But yes! I have noticed significant hair loss in the last 6 months. I have been taking vitamins, iron pills, and even thinking about getting Rogaine... seeing your post, I think it might be the Belviq!
I'm suppose to be stopping soon, too, so maybe if you take the medicine and your BMI isn't high enough, you lose your hair? Just a shot in the dark.. but I think I'll be cutting myself off a little sooner than expected.
Thanks for posting!
scasao
8 Jan 2018
Belviq and Qsymia are two totally different medications; I've read that some people have success with Belviq and some don't; as for the hair loss from what I've read it has more to do with losing weight quickly, when we diet we are losing a lot of vitamins and nutrients that we normally would get from the foods we consumed prior to dieting. I know with Qsymia I tend to forget to eat at times, when I went thru this stage is when I noticed hair loss the most, adding vitamin D, C and Iron helped control hair loss and keeping track of my food intake so I'm not going all day without eating.
Emgabc
27 Oct 2017
I stopped taking Qsimia just over two years ago. I continued losing hair for a year or so and then it stopped. Now my fair is finally regrowing. I was shocked at one point as I could see a large amount of scalp. They should really warn you about this, as particularly for females the side effect can be devestating.
lachrisco
9 April 2017
OK... In August, I noticed my hair was falling out while on Qsymia. I have been off the meds since then, and my hair is still shedding way more than normal. I'm just lucky I had a good head of hair to begin with.
Anyone else been off Qsymia for 8 months and still losing hair? This is ridiculous.
SAKP
11 April 2017
I was on it for 3 or so months. It took more than twice as long as I was on it to stop shedding. My doc said it was not unusual to take roughly the same time as on the drug to clear it from your system. I don't know if that applies infinitely.
My hair has never been the same since. It is thinner and has changed. My doctor and hair stylist both say that what I have is it. It will never go back to what it was.
Best of luck
scasao
29 April 2017
I just started taking Qsymia, I'm glad I read this as I'll double my dosage of Biotin & Vitamin D to help with shedding.
LouevilBelle
25 March 2017
I've been taking just Topirimate 50mg twice a day to try to help regulate pain, and I have noticed that my hair has SERIOUSLY thinned out over the past year. At first I thought it was just age (I'm 36), but then I looked at photos of myself 24 and 18 months ago... and it's just really noticeable. And when I pull it back, there's just NOTHING. :-( And honestly, I'm not even sure how much it actually does to help with my pain. I'm about to the point that I think I might as well talk to my doctor about just coming off of it. I still hurt every damn day taking it... just like I did before... but with more hair
lachrisco
23 Oct 2016
I started taking Q in March of this year (2016). I only lost 17lbs. However in August I started noticing lots of hair coming out when shampooing. I mentioned it to my doctor, and she said it is a rare side effect. It continued, and I weaned off of it. Here it is, 5 weeks later, and I am still a lot of shedding. I am lucky that I had a lot of hair to start with, but I am anxious for it to stop!!! I am to where I am taking root touch-up spray, and spraying it on my scalp to camouflage it. I just HOPE it starts coming back!!!
SAKP
30 Oct 2016
As you can see, there are pages and pages dedicated to the side effects of this drug. When I called the manufacturer, they could not possibly have cared about this less. They said that itwas a 20% or less reaction so it didn't matter. Most of my hair came back. But not all. Topamax is drug within Qsymia that causes the hair loss. So be aware. Good luck.
lachrisco
30 Oct 2016
How long did it take for your hair to begin coming back in? I feel I have been off long enough for the stuff to be out of my system.
SAKP
4 Nov 2016
My hair started coming back in about 6-8 months. But it took over a year to grow to the length of the rest of my hair. It was not a fast process.
JillCalihan
28 Sep 2016
I lost 55 pounds and then came to a complete standstill so I quit taking it with help from my doctor. I have experienced a major hair loss. My mother in law thought I had my hair thinned and the doctor that I worked for made me an appointment to go to the Cleveland clinic. It wasn't until yesterday when a friend said what about those diet pills you were on! I'm shocked to see others are having the same issue!
pandros
10 Sep 2016
I know that this thread is a couple of years old, but for the record, I started taking 100 mg of Topiramate per day about 8 months ago, after a gradual ramp up. I noticed hair loss after a couple of months and did not correlate it, as my dr. didn't mention it, nor was it under the warning label. 6 months in, the hair loss had increased to a level that I was panicking, taking blood tests, changing diet, using Rogaine. This is not genetic in my family, so I was lost. Then found multiple sites on women and hair loss with this drug and a few that confirmed the correlation on label. Had a scalp biopsy done and 40% of my follicles have gone into resting phase. Dr. says can't be sure if they will grow again. Also, the withdrawal has been awful - extreme hot flashes, shakes, vertigo, nausea. I was taking this for migraines and frankly, it had no effect, which is why the dr kept increasing the dose.
Hope someone can benefit - unless you need this specific drug for life endangering conditions, do not use it. Hope someone has good results with regrowth.
jenlikesfood
29 Sep 2016
My hair grew back in after 2 years. It's not as thick as it once was, but no bald spots or hair shedding. Good luck to you!
abaloneee
29 Oct 2015
I lost 55 pounds and was very happy also then my hair started falling out also. I thought it was because my meds were reduced my synthroid and I wasnt feeling good. But my hair is falling out now. Very dissapointed. Scared to use another medicine to counteract this medicine... ugh.
Anna Carol
3 Jan 2015
I have been using Qsyma since August 2104. I have lost 50 pounds and am very happy with weight loss, however, I have and am still loosing lots of hair daily. Is there any chance it will grow back?
SAKP
22 Dec 2013
Get off this drug right away. I took It for 3 months. I have now lost over half my hair. My nails are week. What is left of my hair is brittle and dry. This drug should be pulled off the market and the maker held responsible for damages. They know good and well that topimax has severe side effects. Noone from the doctor's office or three Pharmacies ever once told me of e potential side effects. When you look up the side effects of topimax hair loss isn't listed in the top 15-20 risks. Yet if you google topimax and hair loss the complaints go back for years. The idiots at the FDA who approved as well as the scum who market this should have to nair their heads. Topimax has a long list of associated risk PLEASE research before considering this drug. I pray my hair grows back and I pray someone is prevented from the same hell by reading this.
mzml
22 Dec 2013
My hair is growing back, I started taking high doses of biotin (10,000 milligrams) and Viviscal.. it took 3 months but it's growing in healthier and stronger now. I hope this helps you.
SAKP
22 Dec 2013
Oh thank you. I am beside myself. I am taking biotin and folic acid now. My dermatologist also put me on rogaine and another prescription. I am terrified that my hair won't come back. How long were you taking this? How long until your hair stopped falling out. Every day I am afraid to wash my hair and see the drain. It comes out by the hand full. I am becoming very self conscious. You can see my scalp through what used to be a lot of hair.
jenlikesfood
22 Dec 2013
I'm really surprised how secretive everyone is about the hair loss side effect! It's not right to keep this from patients. I take high doses of biotin and while it does seem to keep my hair from falling out in clumps, if I stop taking it for a few days, my hair starts to fall out again. It's so frustrating. I wanted to lose weight to feel better about myself and now I deal with my hair looking like straw and being thin in spots. My hair dresser says she sees new growth, so that a plus. It has taken 6 months!
mzml
22 Dec 2013
I was taking it for a good 9 months at low doses, it wasn't until I upped the dose around month 6 that it started to come out in handfulls. All people are different I suppose. As soon as I stopped taking it, it took about 3 weeks for the hair to stop falling out in chunks. It's scary right now, but you will be OK and it will grow back.. I was super stressed out about it for months afterwards, but it's starting on month 4 now and I'm getting back to my old head of hair. I also wash my hair with Nioxin as well.. I'm sure it'll be a good while before I stop using everything just to be sure though. I love watching all the new little hairs sprout up. Hang in there, it will get better.
SAKP
22 Dec 2013
Thank you both
ms2cute83
8 April 2014
Yes! Got off this drug immediately, it brought all hair out. My hair was shoulder length and thick, with a fast growth pattern. You can see my scalp all over and my head is tender in some spots. I've been off for 2 months and my hair has stopped shedding but is extremely thin. I have to wear hair in my head to cover the thinning. I can't even get my hair braided its so thin. They should be paying for us to get help and renew or growth! I'm self conscious about my hair.
SAKP
9 April 2014
I am so sorry. Doctors should warn patients. Pharmacists should also be alerting people. This is not new. I called the manufacturer. They are unrepentant. They acted like I was idiot for not knowing. They also said there was only a small percentage of people effected. They then peppered me with personal questions and told me because I had called them, they had the right to call my Doctor to get my medical information. When I said no and that that was not Ok, they said I had disclosed information to a nurse and she was not bound by HIPA. They are bastards. I callecmy doctor a warned them they had no permission to call anyone about me.
Hang in there. I really feel for you. I had a ton of fine textured dark hair. You can see my scalp when I pull it back. None of my clips or ties work anymore. But, I have finally stopped losing my hair. I have been on men's strength rogaine, biotin, folic acid and a perscription from my dermatologist. My stylist says she thinks she sees little tiny growth. I am hopeful.
mzml
9 April 2014
I can say my hair has grown back now. I was taking a large dose of biotin and a hair growth supplement (Viviscal) everyday. It took awhile, at least 3-4 months but it does come back. Hang in there...
PhillyP
13 July 2014
I just visited my hair stylist, and while I noticed some hair loss- been on Qysymia for about 9 months- this hair loss has been gradual and about 4 months. She about freaked on me, because it was really dramatic to her, begged me to get off this now, before the damage was permanent. My hair is also getting brittle, breaking off, so I have had to cut shoulder length off to chin length. I didn't see this as a side effect, either for the Qsymia. Chalked it up to menopause, because that coincided with this, ore maybe just plain poor diet, because after all, this is a weigh loss thing going on. I do take a hair/skin/nails supplement daily, too. I'm going to wean off, and hope that it comes back. But YES, I'm thinking this hair loss, and hair breakage is linked to this.
SAKP
13 July 2014
I have about an inch or so of new hair growth. My hair was also very brittle and less shiny. That has changed. My old texture is back. I don't think you have to ween off the drug. Ask your Dr. Your hair will keep falling out until it processes out of your system. So if you have been on a while and stop now. The loss will continue.
wiz69
17 June 2015
I wasn't aware of the hair loss either when I started taking this and I could not understand what was going on with my hair. Then my Dr. recently upped my dose of Q to the final highest dose THATS WHEN THE HELL REALLY STARTED. Now is just looks like someone has taken a razor all over my hair it is so thin now. I went today and bought me some biotin and selenium and prenatal vitamins I hope it helps me.
SAKP
18 June 2015
I took biotin and folic acid. Be prepared, It will continue to fall out even after you stop taking it. The drug has to cycle out of your system. Its awful.
It's been about a year. My hair is growing. I have 1-2 inches of growth. It makes my hair look really messy and fuzzy. But I will take it. Hang in there.
Pinknugget
17 Dec 2018
I’m currently on the next to highest dose and I’ve lost at least half my hair and thank god my hair was thick to begin with, but it’s freaking me out every time I brush or run my fingers through my hair or wash my hair. So I want to stop using the Qsymia, anyone know how to do that? Can you just stop or do I need to take it every other day for a week and then push it to every two days for another week and then quit? I’m noticing other issues, like my skin is super dry, I can’t sleep, Im really tired all the time and I have this weird sensation in my head. I can’t really explain it. I just want to get off of it and start to get healthy and grow my hair back. I wish I’d known that side effect before I’d ever started because I wouldn’t have.
MVan21
2 Oct 2013
I've been on both Qsymia 7.5 and 15mg for the past 6 months. About 3-4 months ago, I noticed my hair starting to fall out a bit. My doctor told me it was stress or medicine but did not suggest I stop - (Qsymia is the only rx I take.)
Then, my hair stated coming out in small tufts 2 months ago but I was not sure why. I started researching since I have no other health issues, and read these posts about others having this issue with Qsymia. I have now been off it for 2 weeks, and the hair is still falling, but I am encouraged that it might grow back in a few months? While I lost 8 lbs on Qsymia in the first 1.5 months, after that I leveled off and never really lost much again so I was OK to go off of it. The insomnia on the 15mg was another side effect.
mzml
6 Aug 2013
YES. I've lost 40 pounds now and on my 6th month of taking the drug and decided last night after finally researching the drug (toprimate, part of qysmia) that enough is enough! My hair has been coming out in gobs lately, huge handfuls down the drain. No where on qysmia site does it say 'hair loss' but if you reasearch toprimate it's all over the place. I emailed my doctor about weening myself off and she said, yes it happens and it will take 3 months for the hair to start growing back and I'm like... NOW you tell me?? I blame myself for not doing my own research though. You can't trust anyone.
jenlikesfood
14 Aug 2013
Even after printing out info from online and showing it to my Dr., she still refuses to acknowledge that Qsymia has an ingredient known for causing hairloss. Thankfully, after 3 1/2 months, my hair isn't coming out in huge handfuls anymore and I think I'm seeing some new growth. Time will tell, I suppose. I will say that I miss taking Qsymia. My appetite came back full force, once I was completely weaned from it. I'm now taking Suprenza. It helps some, but not as well as Qsymia. Good luck with your hair regrowth!
Wiebo
15 Sep 2013
Tried Belviq? Seem to work well against cravings. There's no Phentermine in it, so you have to work out yourselves. Take a walk, or, just move is already enough. People didn't experience severe side effects, mostly a mild headache that goes away after one or two days. Maybe you might like it better than Q? Who knows, ask your doctor if you're a candidate for this drug. Kind regards
jenlikesfood
15 Sep 2013
Thank you! I will look into this drug and see if I qualify to take it.
tiffinis712
8 July 2013
No hair loss thus far but I have only been taking for 4 weeks/4 days. Side effect I've experienced is dry mouth and mild constipation.
jenlikesfood
27 Jan 2020
I had both Of these symptoms as well. Still do as I started taking Qsymia again in 2017. I’ve stuck with it because it works for me. I’m a binge eater and there is nothing out there quite like Qsymia that stops the binge eating for me. My hair is super thin and it makes me depressed. My doctor told me to take extra vitamins to replace what this medication prevents my body from absorbing, causing the hair loss. I don’t notice it helps. Thanks for everyone’s response!
Related topics
weight loss (obesity/overweight), qsymia
Further information
- Qsymia uses and safety info
- Qsymia prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Qsymia (detailed)
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