TLDR Valproic acid treatment may cause temporary hair loss due to reduced zinc and biotinidase levels, which tend to normalize after 6 months.
The study investigated the effects of valproic acid (VPA) treatment on hair and serum zinc levels and serum biotinidase activity (BA) in 32 pediatric patients over 6 months. Results showed that both hair and serum zinc levels decreased at the 3rd and 6th months of treatment, while serum BA decreased at the 3rd month but returned to initial levels by the 6th month. Patients experiencing hair loss had lower zinc levels and BA but higher serum VPA levels, although these differences were not statistically significant. The findings suggested that hair loss could be linked to zinc and BA depletion within the first 3 months and to zinc depletion alone by the 6th month.
15 citations,
May 2006 in “Brain & development” Valproic acid may cause hair loss by reducing biotinidase enzyme activity in rats.
[object Object] 73 citations,
October 2001 in “Epilepsia” Children taking higher doses of valproic acid had lower biotinidase activity, which may lead to biotin deficiency, but biotin supplements could help.
21 citations,
June 2011 in “Journal of child neurology” Valproic acid and carbamazepine do not change biotin or biotinidase levels but may lower zinc levels, still within normal range.
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134 citations,
December 2018 in “Dermatology and Therapy” Some vitamins and minerals like vitamin D and iron can help with certain types of hair loss, but more research is needed for others.
85 citations,
April 2012 in “PLOS ONE” Valproic Acid helps regrow hair in mice and activates a hair growth marker in human cells.
2 citations,
January 2019 in “Elsevier eBooks” Biotin supplements are unnecessary for most people but may help with certain conditions like biotin deficiency, brittle nails, and some hair loss.
20 citations,
December 2011 in “Journal of inherited metabolic disease” Valproic acid treatment increases a specific acid in urine by blocking an enzyme, possibly causing skin rash and hair loss.
