Hair Loss as a Side Effect of Lamotrigine Treatment

The document reported a case of a 63-year-old woman who experienced hair loss as a side effect of lamotrigine treatment for bipolar disorder. The hair loss began 2 to 3 weeks after starting the medication and was confirmed by a trichogram, which showed an increase in resting and dystrophic hair. The hair loss was primarily in the temporal area, typical of drug-induced alopecia. Upon discontinuation of lamotrigine, the hair loss rapidly regressed. This case was significant as it was the first to suggest a direct causal link between lamotrigine and alopecia, highlighting the need for awareness among patients and clinicians of this potential rare side effect.