Replied by Art (California) on 11/15/2021

Wellbutrin is the brand name for Bupropion. Take a look at this study looking at antidepressants and alopecia :

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28763345/

Here is a quote from the study :

>>> ' Compared with bupropion, all other antidepressants had a lower risk of hair loss, with fluoxetine and paroxetine having the lowest risk [hazard ratio (HR)=0.68,95% confidence interval (CI): 0.63-0.74, HR=0.68,95% CI: 0.62-0.74, respectively] and fluvoxamine having the highest risk (HR=0.93,95% CI: 0.64-1.37). Compared with fluoxetine, bupropion had the highest risk of hair loss (HR=1.46,95% CI: 1.35-1.58, number needed to harm=242 for 2 years) and paroxetine had the lowest risk (HR=0.99,95% CI: 0.90-1.09). The results of this large population-based cohort study suggest an increase in the risk of hair loss with bupropion compared with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, whereas paroxetine had the lowest risk. ' <<<

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Given the results of this study, it may be worth discussing the possibility of switching to "Paroxetine" with your daughter's doctor.

There are natural alternatives for depression, such as melatonin, NAC, the over the counter, very low dose, Lithium Orotate at less than 21 mg/day, Vinpocetine at low dose of 30 mg/day or less, L-Theanine, EGCG, Curcumin, along with bringing her vitamin d level up high into the reference range of 30 to 100 ng/ml, but something like depression should be monitored by her doctor and you can bring the subject up with her doctor if Paroxetine is not helpful enough. Either way, make sure her vitamin D level is in the upper half of the reference range because low vitamin D is often seen in depression and there seems to be a relationship.

This large scale review gives an idea of the relationship of vitamin D and depression :

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC8552952/

Given the known health benefits of vitamin D, being replete is a healthful thing to do. At a minimum, ask her doctor to check her 25 OH d level to see where her level is currently at. Below 30 ng/ml is considered insufficient while below 20 ng/ml is considered deficient.

You also have to consider that testing for supplements as regards depression is not going to be as rigorous as it is for prescription meds and they may not be as potent as some prescription medications, so if the depression is severe, it may be dangerous to experiment with supplements that may be underpowered. If the depression is mild, there may be some flexibility to test a few different supplements, but her doctor should be involved no matter her decision. Depression is serious and is not at all like treating a cold or upset stomach.

Art