Hair Alterations from Medications

January 2014

Antonellá Tosti, Bianca Maria Piraccini

drug-induced hair alterations telogen effluvium anagen effluvium alopecia antitumor chemotherapeutic agents permanent alopecia

Studysummary Some drugs can cause temporary or permanent hair loss.

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

The document discussed drug-induced hair alterations, highlighting that most drug-related alopecias manifested as telogen effluvium, which was often not visibly apparent and reversible. Antitumor chemotherapeutic agents caused both telogen and anagen effluvium, leading to acute and severe alopecia, which was generally reversible. However, some chemotherapeutic drugs could result in permanent alopecia.

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research Drugs and Hair Loss: Mechanisms and Clinical Implications

54 citations , September 2012 in “Dermatologic Clinics”

This review discusses possible medication-induced hair loss and the need to exclude other confounding factors like stress and illness; it reports no new clinical findings and emphasizes careful assessment before attributing hair loss to medications.

research Semiology of Skin Toxicity Associated with Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Inhibitors

38 citations , February 2012 in “Supportive Care in Cancer”

Skin problems like acne, dry skin, and nail and hair changes are common in patients taking EGFR inhibitors.

research Permanent Alopecia After Systemic Chemotherapy: A Clinicopathological Study of 10 Cases

57 citations , March 2011 in “The American Journal of Dermatopathology”

This study found that permanent alopecia can occur after certain chemotherapy treatments and presents as nonscarring hair loss similar to androgenetic alopecia, with specific histological features that could be misdiagnosed without proper clinicopathological correlation.

research A Case of Cicatricial Alopecia Associated with Erlotinib

25 citations , January 2011 in “Annals of Dermatology”

This case report documents a 61-year-old woman treated with erlotinib who experienced the rare side effect of cicatricial alopecia.

research Alopecia Secondary to Mesotherapy

49 citations , July 2009 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

This report highlights two cases where patchy alopecia developed after mesotherapy for androgenetic alopecia, indicating potential risks associated with this treatment.

research Alopecia Associated With Ritonavir-Boosted Atazanavir Therapy

7 citations , June 2007 in “AIDS”

This report describes the first case of hair loss in a patient on ritonavir-boosted atazanavir therapy for HIV, with hair regrowth following a switch to a non-protease inhibitor regimen.

research Drug Reactions Affecting Hair: Diagnosis

85 citations , April 2007 in “Dermatologic Clinics”

This article reviews drug-induced hair changes, highlighting that while many drugs are occasionally linked to hair loss, this connection has been conclusively established for only a few, and such hair loss is typically reversible.

research Enoxaparin-Induced Alopecia in Patients with Cerebral Venous Thrombosis

26 citations , August 2006 in “Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics”

This study reported that enoxaparin may cause alopecia in patients treated for cerebral venous thrombosis, with hair growth resuming naturally after the treatment ended.

research Drug-Induced Hair Disorders

40 citations , August 2006 in “Current Drug Safety”

This article reviews how various drugs may cause hair loss, stimulate growth, or alter hair characteristics, but reports no new clinical results; drug-induced hair loss is typically reversible.