Does Adderall Cause Hair Loss?

After getting an ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) or narcolepsy diagnosis, you’ve begun taking Adderall® to help with your symptoms. Starting a new medication can bring up questions of side effects though, and if you’re worried about hair thinning, you might be wondering: Does Adderall cause hair loss?

While it can happen, Adderall-related hair loss is uncommon. Many prescription meds list hair loss as a side effect because they can interrupt the hair growth cycle — and Adderall is among those medications.

Below, we discuss the link between Adderall and hair loss, how common it is, and how to tell if something else might be causing excess shedding. We’ll also cover how to stop hair loss from Adderall in its tracks if it’s happening to you.

You may have heard some people say things like, “Adderall ruined my hair.” So, does Adderall make your hair fall out?

Stimulant medications like Adderall, dextroamphetamine, and Ritalin might cause you to shed more hair than usual. Thinning hair isn’t a common result of taking ADHD stimulant drugs, but alopecia (the medical term for hair loss) is a possible side effect — according to the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) label.

There’s also research linking hair loss to prescription stimulants like Adderall, specifically amphetamines.

While there is an association between Adderall and hair loss, the medication itself may not be the direct cause of hair loss. Instead, Adderall use might indirectly lead to excess shedding, thanks to the secondary effects it can have on your body’s central nervous system (and mind).

There are a number of other potential side effects of Adderall, ranging from loss of appetite and weight loss to changes in blood pressure and difficulties sleeping. These other side effects of Adderall also can play a role in contributing to hair loss, particularly:

• Weight loss: Take weight loss, for instance — one of the most common side effects of Adderall. Weight loss is a top cause of a form of temporary hair shedding known as telogen effluvium. Telogen effluvium happens when your body goes through a stressful event, whether emotional or physical. Sudden, rapid weight loss is one possible trigger.

• Loss of appetite: Adderall also can make you feel nauseous or suppress your appetite, in which case you might not take in enough nutrients. Nutritional deficiencies can cause hair loss as well.

• Stress: An uptick in stress can cause this type of hair thinning, too. And taking a new medication, even if it helps with your symptoms, can definitely be stressful.

• Difficulty sleeping: Compound that with the fact that Adderall can impact your ability to fall and stay asleep (it’s a stimulant, after all), and you have a perfect recipe for temporary stress-related hair shedding. Additionally, lack of sleep can spike your cortisol and lead to higher stress levels.

Not very.

One small retrospective case study looked at dermatology clinic medical records for patients aged six to 18 with various types of alopecia. Researchers found a strong association between alopecia universalis and ADHD stimulant medications.

However, the study was small, with just 124 cases — only three involving alopecia universalis. And there was no evidence of a link between stimulant use and other types of alopecia.

It’s also important to point out that the study didn’t look at Adderall specifically.

Some case studies suggest hair loss and thinning can happen when taking stimulants. But case studies aren’t a good indication of what can happen at a population level. Individual medical cases certainly can be interesting, but they don’t provide enough data for a definitive conclusion.

It’s also worth noting that if you notice more shedding than usual while taking Adderall, other factors than just the medication could be at play.

Adderall shedding is different from hair loss due to male pattern baldness (also known as androgenetic alopecia). Unlike with male pattern baldness, any hair you lose from taking Adderall will likely grow back.

That’s because the shedding is likely triggered by an interruption in the hair growth cycle — not due to permanent damage to the hair follicles.

Meanwhile, a combination of genetic factors and the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a byproduct of testosterone, are responsible for the permanent balding that causes a receding hairline. Some people are just more sensitive to the effects of DHT, which can bind to receptors and miniaturize the hair follicles.

Miniaturization doesn’t just slow hair growth. It eventually stops it altogether, causing bald areas at the crown, typical of male pattern baldness.

If you just started taking Adderall and are concerned about recent hair shedding, it’s important to act proactively so you don’t end up in a situation where you’re saying, “Adderall ruined my hair.”

Note that treatment for Adderall-related hair loss depends on the root cause. Below, we cover several treatment options.

Talk to a Healthcare Professional

If you’re noticing hair loss after taking Adderall, the first step is to talk with your healthcare provider. They may recommend switching meds or adjusting your dose. (Note of caution: Don’t adjust your medication dose or stop taking your medications without talking to a healthcare professional first.)

It’s also worth a conversation if that jittery, anxious feeling sometimes associated with Adderall doesn’t go away. As mentioned, stress can cause hair loss. In this case, your healthcare provider may adjust your dosage, switch your meds to a non-stimulant, or refer you to another mental health professional for a solution like behavioral therapy.

And if the medication or stress don’t seem to be the triggers for your hair loss, a visit to a dermatologist might be the right next step. A dermatologist can work with you to diagnose the root cause of your hair loss and provide medical advice on how to stop further shedding.

Address Lifestyle Factors

If you have hair loss resulting from a nutritional deficiency, you might benefit from a diet adjustment. This could involve incorporating more nutrient-dense foods or taking supplements like biotin gummies — or both — to improve hair health.

Additionally, finding healthy stress-coping mechanisms may help if you’re experiencing stress or anxiety-related shedding with Adderall use. Find what works for you — whether it’s meditation, running, or reading a good book.

Explore Hair Loss Medications

Stress in check, but still experiencing hair loss?

Haircare products like our thickening shampoo with saw palmetto may help minimize temporary hair shedding.

There are also FDA-approved medications on the market that can help with hair thinning:

• Finasteride: Finasteride isn’t a solution for temporary hair loss, but it may help with hair loss due to male pattern baldness. It’s available in oral and topical forms.

• Minoxidil. Minoxidil increases blood flow to the scalp to help speed up hair regrowth after temporary shedding. It’s available in multiple forms, including minoxidil foam and liquid minoxidil solution.

Taking Adderall isn’t likely to affect your hairline, but hair loss is a possible side effect.

Still, it’s likely not the medication itself that’s causing temporary shedding, but other side effects that result from taking it. Here’s what to keep in mind:

• You might change your eating habits while taking Adderall. Side effects of Adderall like nausea and headaches can mess with your appetite, making mealtimes less appealing than usual. This can result in nutrient deficiencies that can impact your hair.

• Stress can impact your appetite, too. Adderall can make it tougher to get a good night’s sleep. As a result, it might be harder to cope with day-to-day stressors — another contributor to hair loss and hair thinning.

• All of these factors can contribute to telogen effluvium. Higher stress levels, rapid weight loss, and nutrient deficiencies are potential triggers for temporary hair loss, known as telogen effluvium.

Not sure what to do about this new shedding? A good starting point is an online consultation with a healthcare professional to discuss hair loss treatments from Hims.