Alopecia and Mood Stabilizers: Two Case Reports

March 1992 in “ European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience ”

Claude Uehlinger, L. Barrelet, M. Touabi, Philipp S. Baumann

alopecia mood stabilizers lithium valproate drug-induced alopecia diffuse alopecia non-scarring alopecia reversible alopecia

Studysummary Hair loss from mood stabilizers can grow back, but the reasons why are not fully understood.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

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.

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Research cited in this study

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