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Topamax and Hairloss

I'm going to start a new thread on this...I'm hoping for some input on your hair loss experience with Topamax.

Any long term users? How much hair did you lose? Did it finally taper off? (ie: you didn't go bald?) What kind of dosage are you on?

How many of you quit because of the hair loss? (what dosage were you on?)

I'm trying to decide if I should stay on it or go off it. It's been so helpful..yes, side effects. Manageable...until the hair loss.

Help please and thanks!!!

  1. Hi iluvlicorice,

    Thank you for bringing up this great topic! It's been a long time since I took Topamax and don't recall hair loss being an issue. I have on the other hand, heard from other patients who have this problem while taking it. We do have an article on hair loss and Topamax here;

    Hopefully others will be along shortly to share their experiences with you.

    I hope this helps,

    1. iluvlicorice, I took Topamax for years on the max dose of 200mg a day. The only thing I experienced was loss of appetite. Check all your medications becasue a lot of them have loss of hair side effect. For example Inderal or generic Propranolol causes hair loss. I have been on this medication for 20 years and the hair loss has tappered off considerably but the loss was never noticable by me or my hairdresser, ie bald spots.

      1. YES, without question Topamax is known to cause hair loss. It seems to be worst over 50mg per day. Many people, but not all experience this side effect. Family member did have profuse shedding while on 100mg. It abated at 50mg, with selenium 100mcg added. But some people have to go off it entirely. The good news our neurologist said is it will grow back because it is the med. A highly regarded dermatologist who specializes in hair issues at NYU Langone confirmed the same, has seen many Topamax patients with hair loss. NAC (600mg w selenium and molybednum - now foods brand) and acetyl-glutathione and active B vitamins including R5P Riboflavin and P5P B6 helped us cut back the dosage and remain mostly symptom free (migraine).

        1. Just started Topamax 50mg at bedtime ( just started in feb) for chronic migraine was taking imitrex daily, although this has helped me tremendously with headaches after reading this i want to stop taking it! there a certain dosage hair loss is associated with?? i already have thinning hair due to menopause.. i am 51.

        2. Hi baylee,

          Thank you for reaching out to us. I hear you about thinning hair - it's so frustrating. I'm not sure whether potential hair loss is experienced at a certain dose. I can tell you potential side effects may lessen as our body adjusts to the new medications.

          I did want to mention the typical starting dose, per migraine experts not me, is 25 mg once a day a bedtime for the first week and increase slowly thereafter. This article describes more on dosing;

          Some people with migraine disease do better starting slowly with Topamax and increasing slowly as I mentioned above. This may help reduce potential side effects. It's also best taken in a split dose, AM and PM. You may want to discuss this with your doctor so you can get the most out of this medication.

          I hope this helps!

      2. I was never able to tolerate it long enough to notice but have hear about others that had hair loss.
        At least it’s helping the migraines and in the meantime ...go for the extensions!!!
        Hope things work out for you ❤️

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