HomeAnswersPsychiatryanxietyI am taking medicines for paranoia and depression. Could hair scratching be one of the side effects?

Can excessive hair scratching result from medicines used for paranoia and depression?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Nithila. A

Published At August 17, 2019
Reviewed AtAugust 19, 2019

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I am on Sulpitac 50 mg, Xet CR 25 mg, Pregabid NT at night and Waklert 50, Beta cap 20 in the morning. I have a long history of paranoia and depression. Currently, the only symptom is excessive hair scratching. My hand is always on my eyebrows. The problem is particularly bad at night. There is some twitching or tingling in fingers. Please suggest any adjustment of medicine. Could this be due to any of the medications I am taking?

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

No, I do not think any medicine is causing this. The compulsive scratching or pulling of hair could be due to unconscious anxiety. You are on Paroxetine 25, and if the anxiety is still persistent, then we can think of increasing the dose to 37.5 mg. Increase in dose would help in controlling the unwanted impulses. You can talk to your doctor about that. Apart from this please start taking good vitamin B12 supplement which will also help in early recovery.

Patient's Query

Thank you doctor,

I was suggested Levodopa for twitching in finger or feet and hair scratching. It turns out that Levodopa suppressed all these symptoms instantaneously. Does that mean that I have Parkinson? I am sure that these symptoms started with some side-effects of medicines. Is it safe to take Levodopa? Do the symptoms become worse over time?

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I cannot comment with the assertion that this is because of Parkinson's. You are not in the age at which Parkinson's is typical. It is not common at this early age. Secondly, tremors in fingers are seen, which are pill-rolling type. You have symptoms that are different. Based on the information you provided, I do not think it is Parkinson's. I hope there is no family history of Parkinson's. You have a history of depression and paranoia, so I do not think this is due to any movement disorder.

Patient's Query

Thank you doctor,

There is a movement disorder. And I know precisely when it started. I was taking Modalert 200, and because of the side-effects, I stopped it abruptly. The twitching symptoms began three to four days after that. May medicines like Beta cap, Pregabid NT, Etoshine have tried.

All of them help to an extent, but none resolves the issue. Levodopa seems to have the best effect. It has other benefits also. Suddenly I can sit still peacefully, and restlessness is less. My senses seem to be sharper. I can observe, smell better. After so many years of medicine, in general, I have become very dull. And with Levodopa, it seems aliveness is coming in. Do I have Dopamine deficiency? What is your suggestion?

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I do not think this is Dopamine deficiency. This is certainly not. Yes, that can be a movement disorder, but based upon the history you provided, this is not Parkinson's, and even I am not very sure about movement disorder. In some cases, Levodopa has roles in some forms of twitching and tremors too. But your symptoms are different from typical Parkinson's.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Seikhoo Bishnui
Dr. Seikhoo Bishnui

Psychiatry

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