SSRI's may have anti-inflammatory properties.

[youngbaldie]

"Recent studies show pro-inflammatory cytokine processes take place during depression, mania and bipolar disease, in addition to somatic disease (such as autoimmune hypersensitivity) and is possible that symptoms manifest in these psychiatric illnesses are being attenuated by pharmacological affect of antidepressants on the immune system.[4][5][6][7][8]

SSRI's have been shown to be immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory against pro-inflammatory cytokine processes, specifically on the regulation of Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and Interleukin-10 (IL-10), as well as TNF-alpha and Interleukin-6 (IL-6). Antidepressants have also been shown to suppress TH1 upregulation.[9][10][11][12]

Future serotegenic antidepressants may be made to specifically target the immune system by either blocking the actions of pro-inflammatory cytokines or increasing the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines.[13]"




http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selective_ ... t_of_SSRIs

 

[Harie]

so what the hell does that mean?

Summed up:
Anti-depressents are anti-inflammatory

 

[youngbaldie]

I would say SSRI's are probably the safest anti-depressant with the most benefits. They have been shown to increase allopregnanolone which is beneficial for its anti-anxiety effects. Propecia lowers this neurosteroid, so perhaps taking zoloft may help with finasteride/dutasteride induced depression or anxiety.

And now they are shown to be anti-inflammatory which can only help your scalp, among other things.

Of course, there are a few problems with any anti-depressant. SSRI's may increase the risk of prolonged QT interval, but compared with tricyclics (anafranil, elavil, etc.) and anti-psychotic medications (Haldol, Thorazine, Mellaril, Geodon etc.), the risk is very low.

And of course the effect of prolactin increases concerns me. Some say this is good, others say its bad. It will probably have a negative effect on sex drive however.

Also, SSRI's interact with other herbs and drugs, sometimes causing dangerous reactions. If you smoke marijuana, you shouldn't take these drugs, and you shouldn't drink with them either. If you are an herbal person, you should really look into possible interactions.

Oh yes, and of great importance. SSRIs now carry the black box warning of increased suicidal tendencies/aggression in those under 25. Previously, the age limit was 18, now it has been raised to 25 because the brain is still developing in the early 20s contrary to popular perceptions.

Doctors prescribe things like zoloft, celexa to kids as young as 9 or 10 even...this is very dangerous and can cause serious personality changes.

I think these drugs can be beneficial, but they are dispensed too often, particularly to younger people despite the recent black box warning. Psychiatrists just refuse to listen to common sense.

 

[bubka]

yeah, but a lot of ssri have hair loss as a side effect

 

[youngbaldie]

yeah, but a lot of ssri have hair loss as a side effect

I am not sure how hair is really affected with ssri's. It may be related to age and androgens. I know that when I was 15-16, before I had any scalp itch or diffuse loss, I was on serzone and celexa for over a year. Hair was thicker than ever.

Of course, serzone got pulled from the market due to liver toxicity concerns. They still make celexa, but I think that is a poor pill. Lots of side effects.

Zoloft and Luvox are better options.

I haven't been on an anti-depressant long term though anytime after my male pattern baldness started. So it could make things worse since my body is now sensitive to androgens, unlike when I was in my mid teens. Honestly, I have no idea.

If you are on propecia/avodart and take an ssri, I can't imagine though that there is anything to worry about. I could be wrong obviously.

But these drugs are rarely associated with hair loss on their own. Its more the older TCA's and mood stabilizers like Lithium or Depakote that are notorious for massive hair shedding and thinning. My girlfriend was on depakote and her hair was extremely thin at that time and she got bad acne.

 

[killbill123]

yeah, but a lot of ssri have hair loss as a side effect

I am not sure how hair is really affected with ssri's. It may be related to age and androgens. I know that when I was 15-16, before I had any scalp itch or diffuse loss, I was on serzone and celexa for over a year. Hair was thicker than ever.

Of course, serzone got pulled from the market due to liver toxicity concerns. They still make celexa, but I think that is a poor pill. Lots of side effects.

Zoloft and Luvox are better options.

I haven't been on an anti-depressant long term though anytime after my male pattern baldness started. So it could make things worse since my body is now sensitive to androgens, unlike when I was in my mid teens. Honestly, I have no idea.

If you are on propecia/avodart and take an ssri, I can't imagine though that there is anything to worry about. I could be wrong obviously.

But these drugs are rarely associated with hair loss on their own. Its more the older TCA's and mood stabilizers like Lithium or Depakote that are notorious for massive hair shedding and thinning. My girlfriend was on depakote and her hair was extremely thin at that time and she got bad acne.

My hair loss started after 3-4 months on Cymbalta (one of the new SSNRIs). When off of it for 6 months, and it stopped. Had a rough go of things and went back on it, and sure enough the sheds picked back up. Went off of it again, and the shedding never stopped.

Not saying my hair loss is Cymbalta's fault, but I sure as hell have very little hair loss in my family and anti-depressants are notorious for doing crazy things to your body for a long while after you take them and sometimes causing permanent changes. I won't touch the stuff again.

 

[youngbaldie]

yeah, but a lot of ssri have hair loss as a side effect

I am not sure how hair is really affected with ssri's. It may be related to age and androgens. I know that when I was 15-16, before I had any scalp itch or diffuse loss, I was on serzone and celexa for over a year. Hair was thicker than ever.

Of course, serzone got pulled from the market due to liver toxicity concerns. They still make celexa, but I think that is a poor pill. Lots of side effects.

Zoloft and Luvox are better options.

I haven't been on an anti-depressant long term though anytime after my male pattern baldness started. So it could make things worse since my body is now sensitive to androgens, unlike when I was in my mid teens. Honestly, I have no idea.

If you are on propecia/avodart and take an ssri, I can't imagine though that there is anything to worry about. I could be wrong obviously.

But these drugs are rarely associated with hair loss on their own. Its more the older TCA's and mood stabilizers like Lithium or Depakote that are notorious for massive hair shedding and thinning. My girlfriend was on depakote and her hair was extremely thin at that time and she got bad acne.

My hair loss started after 3-4 months on Cymbalta (one of the new SSNRIs). When off of it for 6 months, and it stopped. Had a rough go of things and went back on it, and sure enough the sheds picked back up. Went off of it again, and the shedding never stopped.

Not saying my hair loss is Cymbalta's fault, but I sure as hell have very little hair loss in my family and anti-depressants are notorious for doing crazy things to your body for a long while after you take them and sometimes causing permanent changes. I won't touch the stuff again.

Sorry to hear that happened to you. I have never tried cymbalta or an SNRI.

There could be a strong possiblity that these drugs cause some kind of Telogen Effluvium perhaps unrelated to male pattern baldness. Did you lose hair all over your head including the sides and back? Or did you recede or get a baldspot in the typical male pattern baldness pattern. I am glad to know that the shedding has subsided upon your discontinuation of the drug though, which leads me to believe it was probably more of an overall temporary drug induced shedding rather than a kick start into male pattern baldness.

 

[killbill123]

yeah, but a lot of ssri have hair loss as a side effect

I am not sure how hair is really affected with ssri's. It may be related to age and androgens. I know that when I was 15-16, before I had any scalp itch or diffuse loss, I was on serzone and celexa for over a year. Hair was thicker than ever.

Of course, serzone got pulled from the market due to liver toxicity concerns. They still make celexa, but I think that is a poor pill. Lots of side effects.

Zoloft and Luvox are better options.

I haven't been on an anti-depressant long term though anytime after my male pattern baldness started. So it could make things worse since my body is now sensitive to androgens, unlike when I was in my mid teens. Honestly, I have no idea.

If you are on propecia/avodart and take an ssri, I can't imagine though that there is anything to worry about. I could be wrong obviously.

But these drugs are rarely associated with hair loss on their own. Its more the older TCA's and mood stabilizers like Lithium or Depakote that are notorious for massive hair shedding and thinning. My girlfriend was on depakote and her hair was extremely thin at that time and she got bad acne.

My hair loss started after 3-4 months on Cymbalta (one of the new SSNRIs). When off of it for 6 months, and it stopped. Had a rough go of things and went back on it, and sure enough the sheds picked back up. Went off of it again, and the shedding never stopped.

Not saying my hair loss is Cymbalta's fault, but I sure as hell have very little hair loss in my family and anti-depressants are notorious for doing crazy things to your body for a long while after you take them and sometimes causing permanent changes. I won't touch the stuff again.

Sorry to hear that happened to you. I have never tried cymbalta or an SNRI.

There could be a strong possiblity that these drugs cause some kind of Telogen Effluvium perhaps unrelated to male pattern baldness. Did you lose hair all over your head including the sides and back? Or did you recede or get a baldspot in the typical male pattern baldness pattern. I am glad to know that the shedding has subsided upon your discontinuation of the drug though, which leads me to believe it was probably more of an overall temporary drug induced shedding rather than a kick start into male pattern baldness.

Read it again - my shedding has NOT stopped since the second time I stopped taking the drug. Interestingly, between the first and second times I was on Cymbalta, I tried Welbutrin and Effexor. They weren't as good for my anxiety as Cymbalta, but no shedding or hair loss - go figure.

My hair loss has been mainly temple and hairline recession, and now my front is thinning - especially since I started Propecia. It seems like every medication is &*$#ing up my hair loss, even the ones meant to treat it!

 

[youngbaldie]

yeah, but a lot of ssri have hair loss as a side effect

I am not sure how hair is really affected with ssri's. It may be related to age and androgens. I know that when I was 15-16, before I had any scalp itch or diffuse loss, I was on serzone and celexa for over a year. Hair was thicker than ever.

Of course, serzone got pulled from the market due to liver toxicity concerns. They still make celexa, but I think that is a poor pill. Lots of side effects.

Zoloft and Luvox are better options.

I haven't been on an anti-depressant long term though anytime after my male pattern baldness started. So it could make things worse since my body is now sensitive to androgens, unlike when I was in my mid teens. Honestly, I have no idea.

If you are on propecia/avodart and take an ssri, I can't imagine though that there is anything to worry about. I could be wrong obviously.

But these drugs are rarely associated with hair loss on their own. Its more the older TCA's and mood stabilizers like Lithium or Depakote that are notorious for massive hair shedding and thinning. My girlfriend was on depakote and her hair was extremely thin at that time and she got bad acne.

My hair loss started after 3-4 months on Cymbalta (one of the new SSNRIs). When off of it for 6 months, and it stopped. Had a rough go of things and went back on it, and sure enough the sheds picked back up. Went off of it again, and the shedding never stopped.

Not saying my hair loss is Cymbalta's fault, but I sure as hell have very little hair loss in my family and anti-depressants are notorious for doing crazy things to your body for a long while after you take them and sometimes causing permanent changes. I won't touch the stuff again.

Sorry to hear that happened to you. I have never tried cymbalta or an SNRI.

There could be a strong possiblity that these drugs cause some kind of Telogen Effluvium perhaps unrelated to male pattern baldness. Did you lose hair all over your head including the sides and back? Or did you recede or get a baldspot in the typical male pattern baldness pattern. I am glad to know that the shedding has subsided upon your discontinuation of the drug though, which leads me to believe it was probably more of an overall temporary drug induced shedding rather than a kick start into male pattern baldness.

Read it again - my shedding has NOT stopped since the second time I stopped taking the drug. Interestingly, between the first and second times I was on Cymbalta, I tried Welbutrin and Effexor. They weren't as good for my anxiety as Cymbalta, but no shedding or hair loss - go figure.

My hair loss has been mainly temple and hairline recession, and now my front is thinning - especially since I started Propecia. It seems like every medication is &*$#ing up my hair loss, even the ones meant to treat it!

My bad, I forgot the part where you went back on it. How long have you been on Propecia?

 

[killbill123]

3 months on Wednesday.