Hair loss is the major side effect associated with Escitalopram medicine

First stage of major depressive disorder was diagnosed in 28 year woman. She was treated with escitalopram up to 10mg/day and her condition improved, with mild side effects of gastrointestinal discomfort and slight hair fall. After three months of medication hair fall had become more severe and the patient was distressed with this condition. Even dermatologist confirmed no other dermatological reasons for hair fall. The medication was stopped after fourth months and she could recover hairs quickly.It has been found that Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can induce hair loss as a rare and reversible side effect that may develop in the first few month of treatment and that is resolved after stopping the taking of the drug.

A number of dermatological side effects of this type of medication may occur, such as redness or a rash. Also, for hair, the side effects are not restricted to only hair loss, they can also include changes to the hair structure and colour.However, hair loss may be limited and self-restricting, in that sometimes the condition may be general and in other cases, it can involve the hair over the entire body.Alopecia covers all forms of hair loss, ranging from simple or partial hair loss to a total loss of body hair. It is difficult to detect clinically until about 25% or more of the hairis lost.

Therefore, hair loss is usually a subjective complaint by the patient themself after noticing an increased loss of hair, while physicians often do not enquire about this side effect and may not recognise it, and even if they are made aware of it they don’t usually connect it directly with the medication being taken.Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are widely used to treat depressive disorders and a wide range of other disorders, such as eating disorders, OCD anxiety and borderline personality disorders. Hair loss is a rare side effect of psychotropic agents.In the literature, valproic acid and lithium and carbamazepine are among the most commonly prescribed psychotropic agents. Read more...........