Health Tips
Can Adderall Cause Hair Loss? Causes, Risks & Prevention Tips
Taking Adderall as a medication comes with a lot of side effects, which a patient might face if they overdose or their body isn’t always equipped to simply accept that medication. One side effect that a patient may not expect but might show up is hair loss. Many studies have been done to understand the cause behind this happening, but nothing conclusive has come out. Some of the reasons that patients and experts have discussed are side effects like loss of appetite, weight loss, and others that lead to loss of hair or hair thinning, but how true these are has to be found out: Can Adderall cause Hair Loss?
Can Adderall cause Hair Loss: Finding out how the Medication Affects our Hair Growth
What is Adderall?
Adderall is a CNS stimulant mostly used for ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder) and a sleeping issue called narcolepsy. It is a mix of two salts. Amphetamine and Dextroamphetamine and is found in both immediate-release and extended-release forms. The other brand name of this mixture is Mydaysis. Being a central nervous system, it works by binding with dopamine and norepinephrine receptors, and releases the neurotransmitters of those two into the brain. This will lead to the patient feeling completely relaxed and calm. This is what makes Adderall a bit addictive, which is why it is a prescription-only, Schedule II controlled drug.
How Can Hair Loss Be Related To Adderall?
Hair loss can take place in Adderall, but it should not be permanent, as it is not a direct outcome of using the drug. It can happen if one uses the medication and gets affected by its direct side effects. Those effects can have influence some processes in our body that would lead to hair loss. One side effect that patients believe can be directly responsible for loss of hair is the reduction in food intake. Another side effect that can be responsible is weight loss, and there might be many more. Adderall directly does affect hair growth because of its action in our nervous system; there is a stimulant effect that stops the hair follicles from growing hair.
Side Effects of Adderall That Can Lead to Hair Loss
Some side effects of Adderall can indirectly affect our hair health. It is not because we are using Adderall that hair loss occurs, but rather because these side effects persist in our body, which initiates hair fall and related phenomena.
- Loss of appetite is one of the main reasons for hair loss. Patients taking Adderall do face a reduction in food intake, which generally leads to a lack of certain nutrients, even those that help in hair growth.
- Stress is one of the main side effects of Adderall, which leads to something called Telogen Effluvium, which is the name given to a condition in which the hair growth goes into a resting phase due to high stress.
- Weight loss is a common side effect of the Adderall dose. Sudden loss in weight leads to many other effects, like stress and anxiety, that indirectly cause hair loss.
- Hormonal changes, like women face significant changes in their menstrual cycles due to Adderall intake. This has always led to mood swings and lower libido in women, which often leads to hair loss.
- Insomnia or lack of sleep is a direct side effect of Adderall, and it has been the reason behind hair loss because sleeplessness increases anxiety and stress.
Is Hair Loss Common With Adderall?
Patients have always thought that hair loss is one of the side effects of Adderall, but it is not. Many studies have been done, and in a very few instances, it has been found that hair loss has been caused due to the Adderall intake. There are all case studies that cannot be used as a concrete justification that Adderall is responsible for hair loss. Even the side effects mentioned above can lead to hair loss, but it is not found in all patients; it is not even close. So, hair loss is not a common occurrence in Adderall; it is very rare.
How To Prevent Hair Loss In Adderall?
If you are suffering from hair loss because of Adderall consumption, then there are many ways in which hair loss may be prevented. Most of these methods include lifestyle changes and having the right amount of nutrition, but there are some medicinal drugs in this situation that may help.
- Focus on a protein-rich diet like eggs and meats, and also supplements like Vitamin D, Iron and Magnesium in your diet for good hair growth.
- Regular exercises, meditation, and yoga that lower the cortisol levels in our body, which helps reduce stress and anxiety.
- Consult your doctor and they night lower the Adderall dosage. Do not stop taking Adderall suddenly.
- Sleeping well is a must because lack of sleep causes a lot of anxiety, which leads to hair loss.
- Doctors will provide two medicines in extreme cases: Minoxidil (Rogaine) or Finasteride (Propecia).
Alternatives to Adderall That Will Not Lead to Hair Loss
If Adderall causes hair loss for you, some of its alternatives can assure no to less hair fall and thinning. These are:
Conclusion
Hair loss in Adderall is a very rare occurrence, but hair loss itself is a serious issue. Adderall dosage can be reduced or replaced with other medications, but if doctors prescribe it for ADHD and one decides not to take it because it can lead to hair loss, do not do that unless a health practitioner advises you to. With alternatives like Strattera and Ritalin, one can find a solution to hair loss without compromising with your ADHD treatment. Soan Adderall cause Hair Loss?