A Case of Hair Loss Induced by Carbamazepine

In 2004, a case was reported of a 52-year-old man who experienced significant hair loss induced by the drug carbamazepine (CBZ). The hair loss began within a week of starting CBZ treatment, with no evidence of dermatitis, allergic reaction, or other causes for the hair loss. The serum concentration of CBZ was within the therapeutic range (8.6 microg/ml). After discontinuing CBZ, the hair loss stopped within several days and new hair growth was observed. It was noted that medication-induced hair loss is an occasional side effect of many drugs used for neuropsychological diseases, with CBZ-induced hair loss reported in less than 2% of cases. The study found that CBZ-induced hair loss could be divided into two groups: those who experienced hair loss within a week of starting CBZ (anagen effluvium), and those who experienced hair loss after two or three months (telogen effluvium). This suggested that the mechanism of CBZ-induced hair loss is not uniform.