TLDR Hair loss from mood stabilizers can grow back, but the reasons why are not fully understood.
The document described two cases where alopecia was associated with the use of mood stabilizers lithium and valproate. The first case involved a 30-year-old female who experienced hair regrowth after switching from lithium to valproate. The second case involved a 50-year-old female who had hair regrowth after stopping valproate, although her psychiatric condition deteriorated, leading to a cautious reintroduction of valproate without further hair loss. The document highlighted that drug-induced alopecia is typically diffuse, non-scarring, and reversible, but it emphasized the importance of addressing this side effect due to its potential impact on a patient's willingness to comply with treatment. The mechanisms behind mood stabilizer-induced alopecia remain unclear, and the document suggests trying alternative mood stabilizers or cautiously reintroducing the same drug if necessary.
30 citations,
May 1991 in “Psychosomatics” Some psychiatric medications can cause reversible hair loss.
12 citations,
December 1985 in “Dicp-The annals of pharmacotherapy” Carbamazepine can cause hair loss, which may reverse when the medication is stopped.
18 citations,
October 1984 in “International Journal of Dermatology” Lithium therapy may cause temporary hair loss, with possible regrowth if treatment is stopped or continued.
29 citations,
July 1982 in “British Journal of Dermatology” Lithium treatment can cause increased hair shedding and hair loss in patients.
33 citations,
August 1973 in “American Heart Journal” Propranolol can cause reversible hair loss.
6 citations,
October 2013 in “Expert Review of Dermatology” Psychotropic medications can cause skin problems, including serious conditions, and patients should be monitored closely.
38 citations,
September 1996 in “Annals of Clinical Psychiatry” Hair loss from mood stabilizers is common but can be managed without stopping the medication.
65 citations,
July 2013 in “International Clinical Psychopharmacology” Mood stabilizers like lithium and anticonvulsants have side effects that can lead to patients stopping their medication, and managing these effects is important for treatment adherence.
12 citations,
June 2003 in “Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology” Some psychoactive drugs can cause skin reactions, with carbamazepine having a higher risk, and stopping the drug and seeing a dermatologist is important.
63 citations,
March 2000 in “Annals of clinical psychiatry” Some psychiatric medications can cause hair loss, but it usually grows back after adjusting the medication.
