Hair Loss Associated with Sertraline: Two Case Reports and Review

In 2016, a case study involving two patients reported hair loss associated with the use of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) sertraline. The first patient, a 47-year-old man, experienced hair loss 8 weeks after starting the medication, which resolved within 6 weeks after reducing the dosage. The second patient, a woman, reported hair loss within 2 months of starting a low dose of sertraline. The study concluded that SSRI-induced hair loss, although rare, should not be overlooked as it can affect a patient's adherence to treatment. The exact mechanism of drug-induced hair loss was not fully understood, but it was suggested to be due to the direct toxic effects of the drugs on the hair follicle matrix. The study emphasized the need for further research to fully understand this side effect.