Drug-Induced Hair Color Changes

Drug-induced hair color changes were identified as an uncommon adverse effect of medications. While a variety of drugs were implicated, only chloroquine and cancer chemotherapeutic agents had substantial evidence supporting their association with hair color changes. Other drugs, including p-aminobenzoic acid, calcium pantothenate, anthralin, chinoform, mephenesin, minoxidil, propofol, valproic acid, and verapamil, required further confirmatory data. It was recommended that drug-induced causes be considered in patients experiencing unexplained hair color changes.