Cosmetic Effects of Anti-Epileptic Drugs (AEDs)

January 2024 in “ Authorea (Authorea) ”

Amira Siddig, Ammar Ahmed, Khabab Abbasher Hussien Mohamed Ahmed, Mohammed Eltahier Abdalla Omer

hair loss sodium valproate valproic acid gingival hyperplasia hirsutism acne phenytoin Depakote Dilantin

TLDR Antiepileptic drugs cause cosmetic side effects like hair loss and weight gain, but patients still take their medication without it affecting their quality of life.

The study on 420 Sudanese epilepsy patients over six months found that 20% experienced cosmetic side effects from antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), with hair loss being the most common among females taking sodium valproate (8.2%). Weight gain was also noted in 8.1% of patients on valproic acid. Other side effects included gingival hyperplasia, hirsutism, and acne in those taking phenytoin. Despite these effects, no significant correlation was found between cosmetic side effects and quality of life or medication adherence. However, a significant positive correlation was observed between the duration since the last seizure and quality of life (P=0.03). The study emphasizes the importance of considering cosmetic side effects, particularly for women, due to their impact on body image and self-esteem.

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