Hair Loss in Psychopharmacology

The document from 2000 examines the occurrence of medication-induced alopecia, particularly with the use of psychopharmaceuticals such as mood stabilizers and antidepressants. It highlights that lithium is associated with hair loss in 12-19% of long-term users, valproic acid/divalproex in up to 12% (rising to 28% at high concentrations), and carbamazepine in up to 6% of patients. The paper notes that hair usually regrows after stopping or reducing the dosage of these medications. It also discusses individual cases, such as a patient who experienced regrowth after an overdose of divalproex and another who stopped losing hair after reducing valproate dosage and taking zinc and selenium supplements. The document reports that valproate-induced alopecia may coincide with weight gain and hair texture changes. While antidepressants can also cause hair loss, the incidence is low. The paper concludes that drug-induced hair loss is more prevalent than often recognized, but it is typically reversible, and emphasizes the need for increased awareness among clinicians and patients. No specific treatment for drug-induced alopecia is established, and further research is necessary to develop therapeutic recommendations.