Can Sertraline Cause Hair Loss? Symptoms & Reversal Tips

If you are taking sertraline and noticing more hair strands in your comb and shower drain, you are not imagining the connection. Many people notice changes in their hair thickness due to antidepressant treatment.

Sertraline can cause hair loss. A small number of users experience this side effect with visible changes and shedding. Hair often regrows after discontinuing the medication, or sometimes even with continued use through management strategies.

In this blog, we will explore the cause of sertraline-induced hair loss, its symptoms, diagnosis, and what you can do about it without compromising your mental health treatment.

What is Sertraline?

Sertraline is an antidepressant that belongs to the class of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs). Doctors prescribe it to treat depression and anxiety disorders. It works by increasing the serotonin levels in the brain and regulating emotional responses.

Sertralin is available in tablet form and comes with the brand name Zoloft in the market. 

Why Do People Get Prescribed Sertraline?

Sertraline treats anxiety and depression. Doctors prescribe it for: 

• Depression
• Anxiety disorder
• Panic attacks
• Stress management
• Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)

What Are The Most Common Side Effects Of Sertraline?

Most people tolerate sertraline well, but they may experience some common side effects, including: 

• Nausea 
• Digestion issues
• Headaches
• Drowsiness 
• Difficulty in sleeping 
• Weight changes
• Dry mouth
• Hair loss (less common but notable)

Does Sertraline Cause Hair Loss?

Yes, sertraline can cause hair loss. It is an uncommon side effect, and very few people report it. Researchers do not fully understand the mechanism of hair loss but studies show that it is due to a disruption in the hair growth cycle.

Sertraline causes a specific type of hair loss called Telogen Effluvium. It is a reversible condition with diffuse shedding of hair. To understand its mechanism, we need to understand the three stages of hair growth cycle:

1. Anagen Phase: It is the growth phase of the hair cycle.
2. Catagen Phase: The transitional or maturing phase.
3. Telogen Phase: It is the resting phase when hair sheds.

Sertraline affects the telogen phase of the hair growth cycle. This may be due to several important factors: 

• Serotonin Level: Changes in serotonin secretions in the brain affects the growth of hair follicles.
• Nutritional Interference: It affects the metabolism of your body, and interferes with nutritional absorption.
• Hair Follicles Stress: The medication might act as a physiological stressor, pushing more hairs into the telogen phase prematurely.
• Hormonal Interactions: Sertraline can interact with other hormones causing hair changes.

At What Sertraline Dosage Does Hair Loss Occur?

Hair loss can occur at any therapeutic dose, but some cases suggest a higher risk in following situations:

• Increased shedding after the dose rises from 50mg to 100mg.
• Thinning of hair after long term use of the medicine (more than 6 months).
• High doses 100-200mg daily are at greatest risk of hair shedding.

You should consult your doctor before making any changes to your dosage.

How Do You Know If Your Hair Is Falling Out Due To Sertraline?

You can notice signs of hair loss caused by sertraline, which helps you take early action. Some common symptoms include:

• Diffuse Thinning: You may notice bald patches on the parts of the scalp, especially at the crown area. Hair becomes thin across the entire scalp.
• Increased Shedding: Sertraline triples the amount of normal hair shedding which is 50 to 100 strands a day. Hair strands are visible on your pillow and comb.
• Texture Changes: Hair becomes brittle, its texture changes with loss of natural shine.
• Delayed Regrowth: New hair takes time to grow which makes shedding more prominent.

How Common Is Sertraline-Induced Hair Loss?

Sertaline-induced hair loss is not very common; it affects about 1-2% of its users. It is more noticeable in women than in men.

Feature	Women	Men	Overall
Reported Incidence	1.5-2.5%	0.8-1.5%	1-2% average
Common Paatterns	Diffuse thinning, crown area affected	May accelerate existing male pattern baldness	Individual variation significant

How Long Does It Take For Sertraline To Cause Hair Loss?

It varies with the individuals. Usually, hair loss starts after taking sertraline for a prolonged time:

• 2-8 Weeks: In very rare conditions, hair loss this early may indicate high sensitivity to medicine.
• 2-4 Months: If the hair growth cycle is disturbed, thinning hair may begin to appear during this time as the hair follicle matures.
• 6+ Months: Most people start noticing hair shedding after prolonged use of the medication. Hair loss is more visible at this time.

The delay and variation occur because hair follicles do not respond to the medicinal changes immediately and follow their normal growth cycle.

How Is It Diagnosed?

Diagnosing hair loss caused by sertraline involves a detailed evaluation. This is done to rule out other possible causes and identify the connection between hair loss and the medicine.

Medical Evaluation

Your doctor will evaluate your medical history and overall health, focusing on:

• Timeline suggesting the start of sertraline.
• Family history of hair loss.
• Other medications and supplements.
• Recent stressors or health changes.
• Dietary patterns and nutritional status.

A physical examination of your scalp will determine the changes in your hair strands.

Diagnostic Tests

Your doctor will suggest some tests to confirm the diagnosis. These include:

Test Type	Purpose	What It Reveals
Complete Blood Count	Check for anemia	Nutrient deficiency
Thyroid Function Test (TFTs)	Rule out thyroid disease	Hypo/hyperthyroidism causing hair loss
Ferritin Level	Assess iron stores	Low iron is a common hair loss cause
Vitamin D &  B12	Check key nutrients	Deficiencies can mimic drug-induced loss
DHT/Hormone Panel	Rule out hormonal causes	Androgenic alopecia vs drug effect
Pull Test	Assess active shedding	Confirms if hair loss is active

Is Sertraline Hair Loss Reversible?

Drug induced hair loss is generally reversible and does not leave a scar. Most people notice visible changes within 3-6 months of discontinuing the drug or switching to an alternative.

Complete recovery may take time, as the hair follicles adjust to their normal growth cycle.

1. Consult Your Doctor First: Do not stop taking sertraline without consultation or start any self medication for hair loss. Your doctor may change your dose or switch you to an alternative after careful evaluation.
2. Changing Medication: Doctors can prescribe you another antidepressant with minimal hair loss side effects.
3. Topical Medicines: Topical medicines with few side effects can help you manage hair loss.

• Minoxidil (Rogaine): It is available in 2% and 4% formulations. It increases the hair growth by extending the growth phase of hair follicles.
• Topical Finasteride: This may help in male pattern hair loss.

4. Supplements: Key supplements for hair growth includes: 

• Biotin 
• Iron 
• Vitamin D 
• Zinc 

5. Dietary Considerations: You can take protein rich foods, leafy vegetables, nuts and fish. Proper hydration and limiting processed food improves hair health.
6. Stress Management: Stress can promote hair fall. Reducing it through counseling and yoga may help.

Comparison of Hair Loss Risk in SSRIs & Other Antidepressants

The risk of hair loss varies with other antidepressants. Some have very low chances of hair loss like Bupropion. Another research suggests Paroxetine and Prozac have lowest chances of this side effect.

Medication	Hair Loss Risk	Alternative Considerations
Sertraline or Zoloft	Moderate about 1-2%	Well-studied, multiple generic options
Citalopram	Low-Moderate	Similar mechanism, may be alternative
Escitalopram	Low	Fewer side effects
Fluoxetine	Low-Moderate	Longer half-life, different profile
Paroxetine or Paxil	Moderate-High	Higher hair loss reports than other SSRIs
Bupropion (Wellbutrin)	Very Low	Different mechanism, may protect hair
Mirtazapine	Low	Weight gain common, hair usually unaffected

How To Manage Sertraline Hair Loss Without Quitting Medication?

A good diet, stress management and proper hair care can help you manage mild hair loss caused by sertraline.

Strategy	Implementation	Expected Timeline
Gentle Hair Care	Use sulfate free shampoo	Immediate protection
Scalp Massage	5 minutes daily with oils	2-3 months for benefits
Stress Management	Meditation and exercise	Ongoing benefits
Loose Protective Hair Styles	Use silk pillow case and avoid tight hair styles	Immediate protection
Regular Trims	Remove damaged ends, maintain health	Every 6-8 weeks
Hair Supplements	Biotin, collagen, multivitamins	3-6 months for results

Sertraline Hair Loss – Patients & Experts Insights

People who take sertraline (Zoloft) to treat their depression report different experiences. Most do not face hair loss and may find that the medication helped them with depression.

Positive Experience Reported By People On Reddit

Negative Experience

Some people notice hair fall and manage it with natural remedies and hair care.

Hair Loss Managed By Natural Methods

I’ve been on 50mg for 5 months and I have lost A LOT of hair. I started taking a biotin/saw palmetto supplement and a rosemary/fenugreek oil and it has helped to slow the hair loss. The hair loss seems to be a more rare side effect, so hopefully it won’t be an issue for you!

Hair Loss By Change In Dosage

I’ll be the odd person out here. I have experienced significant hair loss with sertraline. 25mg was fine. I began experiencing hair loss at 37.5mg while titrating up to 50mg. Now that I’ve been at 50mg for almost a month, I’m still losing it in clumps and my hair is noticeably thinner. I haven’t yet decided whether or not to discontinue use or use a hair piece. TBD.

What is the best treatment for hormonal hair loss?

The best treatment for hormonal hair loss is a combination of healthy diet, stress management and medications like minoxidil. Use medicines after the doctor’s suggestions.

Do you gain more weight on Zoloft or Prozac?

Some people notice, they gain more weight on Zoloft as compared to Prozac.

How long does it take for hair to grow back after Sertraline?

It takes about six months for hair to grow back after stopping sertraline.

Is hair loss from Sertraline permanent?

No, the hair loss from sertraline treatment is generally not permanent. Hair regrows after some time of discontinuing the medicine.

How long after starting Sertraline does hair loss begin?

It usually takes 1 to 3 months for hair loss to begin after starting sertraline.