When using trazodone as a sleep aid I notice more hair on my pillow in the morning and have noticed thinning on top of head along lines of pattern baldness. I am 58 and have always enjoyed healthy hair.
Trazodone; Has head hair loss been reported as side effect?
Question posted by nedadannon on 29 June 2011
Last updated on 31 August 2024 (2 weeks ago) by Sunchette
28 Answers
Trazodone was the main thing I was able to associate with sudden and drastic hair loss after only a couple of months. I took it for about a year on and off. My hair didn't improve significantly despite taking supplements, vitamins, etc. I stopped it for 3 months and then restarted it for 1 month and noticed a much worse hair loss. This is when I made the connection with the medication. It's been over a month since I stopped it and started taking more supplements and my hair stopped falling. I am devastated and hope it will come back. I am not sure how long it would take - so far, not much improvement a month and a half of it...
Started using 100mg of trazodone for my insomnia about 1 month ago, 2 weeks ago I started having hair loss when washing my hair, found out it was because of trazodone. It’s very strange that they consider hair loss as a rare side effect. I’m very upset because I’m a 21 year old with very healthy hair and now one side of my hair is more receded than the other.
Talk to your doctor! Alopecia has rarely been reported but every person responds differently to every medication.
Sometimes an adjustment to your dosage may help, there are other medications that can help reduce or eliminate hair loss, or you may need to try a different drug. Eventually you will get your hair back.
Best regards and good luck!
Talk to your doctor! Alopecia has rarely been reported but every person responds differently to every medication.
Sometimes an adjustment to your dosage may help, there are other medications that can help reduce or eliminate hair loss, or you may need to try a different drug. Eventually you will get your hair back.
Best regards and good luck!
I started on 25mg then it got increased to 50mg, and a couple of weeks ago, it got upped again to 100mgs a night. I started noticing hair coming out not only from my head (despite the fact I only brush it about twice a week and only wash it once a week) but also from my armpits, eyelashes, and "down there"! If I had eyebrows, no doubt they'd be going too! It seems to have lessened off in the last couple of weeks. I had My Wellbutrin XL doubled from 150mg to 300mg at the same time my trazodone got put up and when I mentioned my hair loss my psych said it's more likely to be the Wellbutrin which I know it isn't as I've been on that for years. I told her it's a side effect of trazodone along with poor balance, dizziness, eye problems, dehydration etc. All of which I have. So I'm still taking it as of now and will wait and see.
Had amazing hair, awesome hair always.
Two months into trazodone lost almost all of my hair, stopped. Beard hair coming back slowly, nearly nothing up top growing. Looking into legal action now.
Hair loss (alopecia) seems to be rare but it's been reported.
"Trazodone can lead to hair loss, but it's a very rare side effect. Research has shown that trazodone may lead to hair loss only in very rare instances. In fact, this research showed there's a much higher likelihood of hair loss with other medications used to treat mental illnesses."
"Postmarketing reports: Alopecia, hirsutism"
Unfortunately since it's been disclosed as a side effect there may not be a basis for legal action.
I started taking trazodone 25mg approximately 3 months ago. About a month ago I noticed slight hair thinning on my head. I am a 30 year old male and figured that my hair thinning at this point could be natural. However, one month later and the hair thinning has gotten noticeably worse. trazodone is the only medication I am taking. I am going to talk to my doctor about getting off of trazodone and see if my hair fills back in!
I started taking 50 MG of Trazodone as a sleep aid, and it worked fairly well. I have alopecia of my eyebrows, but otherwise thick hair. Over the months, I've noticed my hair thinning noticeably. On a whim, I searched the internet for Trazodone's side effects, and, while hair loss is listed as a "rare" side effect, I am convinced it is due to this drug. I have never had thinning head hair before. Thank you to all who have contributed to this site.
My doctor just prescribed this for me because I begged her to remove the Seroquel, due to the weight gain and "hair loss"! Now I'm worried to start taking this trazodone!
She tried Belsomra to make me sleep, but there were too many side effects!
All I need is a good nights sleep! And yes, I don't want to loose anymore hair either.
I am 62. I ordered a nutritional drink powder called Ka'Chava. Vannila and Chocolate. 100% money back guarantee. It helps skin, hair, and sleep well at night. All organic. I hope it works. I'll let you all know soon.
Absolutely!! I’ve had beautiful hair my whole life. Was on trazodone for 3 weeks and I now have thin hair on top. I have spots of my scalp that show through when my hair is in a ponytail. Although it was effective for sleep and anxiety it wasn’t worth losing my hair in clumps. My hair would shed constantly and now I have bald spots. Would definitely be careful! Now taking a lot of vitamins and supplement for my hair loss. Stopped shedding and falling out a week and a half after stopping trazodone. Would not recommend to anyone unless they’re already bald.
My doctor prescribed Trazodone for insomnia. I took Trazodone for two months and started to notice hair loss when shampooing my hair. At first I thought it was a fluke but it did not stop. I discontinued Trazodone but the hair loss continued. It's been six weeks later and my hair is coming out more than ever. When I wash my hair my hair comes out in my hands. I'm so distressed. I've always had healthy thick hair. I'm sick about this. My dermatologist said my hair will continue to fall out from anywhere between 2-3 more months or could be longer. There will be regrowth but it will be slow - 6 months to a year. I don't wear my hair short and I'm afraid I will have to cut my hair short when new growth begins. I wish I never used Trazodone besides it didn't even work for my insomnia. My heart goes out to all those losing their hair from Trazodone.
I recently started trazodone 3 weeks ago, since taking it I have experienced rapid thinning of hair. I stopped the drug 3 days ago. I am 26, have a strong full head of thick hair with strong hair genetics. I just wanted to know how long after stopping the drug, the shedding took to subside for you all? And how long it took until the hair felt like it was growing back.
Thank you all!
I am so thankful that I found this site! This is the only one I was able to find where people were sharing their experiences (scary thought) and I have had a similar one.
I have been taking trazodone for about 2 years now and for 9 months, my hair has been falling out. I have lost about 50% of my hair. This has been accompanied by soreness on my scalp.
After completely changing my diet and seeing 3 doctors about this, I finally had the idea that it could be the medicine.
I tapered down a few months ago and the hair loss seemed to slow down. I completely stopped the medicine a week and a half ago and the soreness on my scalp seemed to subside.
Then I got infected with covid-19-19-19-19 and my scalp is sore and the hair loss is ramped up. I’m hoping this is just an inflammatory response that will settle down after my body heals from the virus.
Hi I started noticing my hair feeling differently kinda straw like, then it started falling out a lot! I did research on the 4 new meds I was on an stopped the Trazodone immediately! Had some withdrawals but didn’t care- it’s started to slow down some - I’m taking Biotin an using Rogaine ! I would rather not sleep well then be bald! Just hope it grows back ! It may say only 1% of people but I wonder if it’s more !!! I was on 50 mil grams for almost 6 months! Thankful I decided to do research -
HI all! so thankful I found this website. I'm a 53yr old female and went through so many antidepressants before realizing it was the Trazodone that was making my hair fall off. All my drs told me it was only a 1% side affect. Unfortunately, I found out a bit late. I've been on trazodone for over 5yrs and it's only been 6 weeks since I stopped it. I'm now taking ambient to sleep. So far, I'd say i lost 75% of my hair. I'm now using the theradome helmet daily, taking viviscal and biotin and going on Rogaine so i don't lose the 25% of the hair i have left. I'm also planning on going to see someone about getting a hair mesh with real hair attached to my hair. I'm sad but still hopeful. If you know of anything that is working for you please let me know. I will come back and post an update in a few months.
I took trazodone off and on for about 10 years. In the last 5 years I noticed that my hair was thinning , especially in certain spots and I was losing hair from my body. I went off the drug and happy to report that my hair has grown back! One of the main reasons I decided to go off was because this medication is in a class of drugs called Anticholinergics which in early studies showed a strong possibility of a link with dementia when taken by subjects after 50. You should familiarize yourself and avoid these medication if you are near 50 or older.
I'm female, 52 yrs young... started using trazodone 1/2019 for insomnia, works wonders for me...
But now beginning of 7/1/2019 have been noticing a significant amount of hair loss, & thinning on top, could not pin point but after doing some research
Im leaning toward this medication.
Going to stop trazodone, as of today...
Will post update 8/1/2019
Wish me luck,
Related topics
Further information
- Trazodone uses and safety info
- Trazodone prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Trazodone (detailed)
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