Acquired Trichomegaly with Topiramate
July 2005
in “
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
”
Studysummary In this case report, the authors suggest that topiramate, used for treating bipolar disorder, may cause trichomegaly, or excessive eyelash growth, in patients.
Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer
A 25-year-old Hispanic female with bipolar disorder developed trichomegaly, characterized by increased thickness, stiffness, and length of her eyelashes, after starting topiramate. This condition, typically associated with medications like cyclosporin and interferon alpha-2b, had not been previously linked to topiramate. The patient noticed changes 2 months into the treatment, which ceased progressing a month after stopping the medication. Physical and ophthalmologic examinations showed no significant adverse effects, and laboratory tests were negative for HIV. This case suggested a temporal association between topiramate and trichomegaly, highlighting the need for thorough ophthalmologic evaluations in similar cases.
