Curly Hair Induced by Valproate in Bipolar Disorder
TLDR Valproate can cause rare hair curling in some patients.
Valproate, commonly used for treating bipolar disorder and epilepsy, has been known to cause hair loss and color changes, but hair texture changes, such as curling, are rare. In a study of 250 patients, 2% experienced hair curling due to valproate. This document reports the first known case of a bipolar disorder patient, a 47-year-old woman, developing curly hair after six months of valproate treatment. Despite this side effect, the patient preferred to continue valproate due to its effectiveness in managing her condition. The exact mechanism behind valproate-induced hair curling is unclear but may involve the chelation of metals and inhibition of metallic enzymes. Psychiatrists should inform patients about this potential side effect.
