TLDR Zidovudine may cause hair loss in advanced-stage HIV patients.
The document described a case where a 33-year-old HIV-infected man developed alopecia areata after beginning treatment with zidovudine, a medication for HIV. The alopecia persisted despite a reduced dosage of zidovudine, but hair regrowth occurred after the drug was stopped, even though the patient's CD4+ count was zero. This case was notable because alopecia had not been previously reported as a side effect of zidovudine, and the patient's refusal to restart the medication prevented further investigation to definitively establish zidovudine as the cause. The authors noted that while zidovudine might promote hair growth in HIV patients with higher CD4+ counts, it could cause hair loss in those with advanced-stage infection, although the exact mechanism was unclear.
147 citations,
April 1994 in “Drug Safety” Some drugs can cause hair loss or increase hair growth, but these effects are usually reversible when the drug is stopped.
35 citations,
January 1993 in “International Journal of Dermatology” People with HIV and low T cell counts have more hair and scalp problems.
114 citations,
January 2007 in “Drug Safety” Some drugs can cause skin, nail, and hair problems, which are important for healthcare professionals to recognize and report.
January 2009 in “Springer eBooks” The document concludes that managing skin conditions during pregnancy is important and requires specialized care.
2 citations,
March 2022 in “Indian Journal of Psychiatry/Indian journal of psychiatry” The conclusion is that careful management of both psychiatric and skin conditions is crucial for HIV patients, using medication and interdisciplinary approaches.
January 2014 in “International Journal of Trichology” Hair changes are common in AIDS patients and can add to their financial and emotional stress.
20 citations,
October 2018 in “American Journal of Clinical Dermatology” Some drugs can cause skin and hair color changes, often reversible when the drug is stopped.
