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Does Abilify Cause Severe Hair Loss And Irregular Menstruation?
Question: I am bipolar and have taken paxil for 20 years with no side effects. In the last several months I have discontinued lithium and started taking abilify due to bipolar depression. I have started to experience hair loss and heavy and frequent menstrual periods. My last thyroid test (one year ago) was low normal. Should I proceed with discontinuing the abilify if a thorough thyroid panel is normal?
Brief Answer:
Switch to another mood stabilizer.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to HCM.
I can understand your concerns.
Your thyroid tests were low normal.
You are experiencing heavy menstrual bleeding and hair loss after taking abilify.
There is very rare possibility that ability is causing this side effect.
You can stop ability only if your doctor shifts you to another mood stabilizer like lamotrigine or quetiapine. The reason for this is that taking paxil alone in bipolar depression can cause manic switch.
Kindly discuss this with your doctor.
Hope this helps.
Take care.
Thanks.
Switch to another mood stabilizer.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to HCM.
I can understand your concerns.
Your thyroid tests were low normal.
You are experiencing heavy menstrual bleeding and hair loss after taking abilify.
There is very rare possibility that ability is causing this side effect.
You can stop ability only if your doctor shifts you to another mood stabilizer like lamotrigine or quetiapine. The reason for this is that taking paxil alone in bipolar depression can cause manic switch.
Kindly discuss this with your doctor.
Hope this helps.
Take care.
Thanks.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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