Isoniazid-Induced Alopecia: A Rare Entity
November 2022
in “
The Indian journal of chest diseases & allied sciences
”
TLDR Isoniazid can rarely cause hair loss, which is reversible after stopping the drug.
A 32-year-old male patient undergoing treatment for smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis with isoniazid (INH) developed excessive hair fall two months after starting the regimen. After ruling out other potential causes for the alopecia, isoniazid was identified as the likely cause. Upon discontinuation of isoniazid, while continuing other antitubercular drugs and starting treatment with topical minoxidil, steroid ointment, keratin supplements, and other supportive care, the patient experienced total hair regrowth. This case highlights isoniazid-induced alopecia as a rare but reversible side effect, and suggests that physicians should be aware of this potential adverse reaction when patients on isoniazid report hair loss.