Wednesday, June 18, 2008 Pauline asks

Q: Is it possible to stop hair loss from Topomax

I have been on Topomax 100 mgs for about 1 year. It has REALLY helped my headaches. Which were debilitating migraines. I have had no other side effects at all. Now I am really seeing some scary hair loss. I have had my thyroid and hormone levels all checked and they are normal. My neuro wants to wean me off the T-max and start me on nortriptyline which I do NOT want to do due to possible weight gain( to me NO it NOT worth the gain) I am very sensitive to medication and gain very very rapidly. My question is is there any way to counteract the hairloss? It seems what ever the topomax does to cause the loss must be able to be reversed in some way.

I am taking all the vitamins for hair and using rogaine and a steroid liquid prescribed by my derm. I am wondering if I really WILL go bald. Or if it will self limit and stop before then.

Answers (3)

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Eileen Gray

6/20/08 9:55am

Hi Pauline!

Have you discussed trying a lower dose of Topamax, maybe lowering it to a split 75mgs dosage instead of 100 mgs and seeing if that helps the hair loss and still helps the migraines?

If not, what about trying another drug in the same famly (anti-seizure) like Zonegran?

I am going to double check on this and we will get back to you ok?

Nebula

6/18/08 10:39pm

I'm sorry but I don't know the exact answer to your question. I experienced some mild hair loss on topamax too but I'm off it now. I have heard some negative things about rogaine. I heard that it actually doesn't help hair loss but just continues it by making you lose more if you stop using it. Don't know that for a fact, but I just don't want your hair loss to be worse.

Does your hair fall out like all the time or just in the shower? Mine only fell out in large amounts when washing.

maxi

10/18/08 3:25pm

I am only on 25 mg topamax for 2 months and I have lost half my hair. I have had all kinds of blood work. Everything normal. I am tapering down every other night and then will stop topamax. I wish you luck. I wish someone would tell us if getting off will help or if our body will ever get use to it. My doctor said to take Biotin 2000 mcg, I am taking 5000 mcg for a week now I hope it will help.

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Q: Is it possible to stop hair loss from Topomax

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