Olanzapine-Induced Hair Loss: A Case Report

In a 2002 case report, a 41-year-old Asian woman developed significant hair loss after her olanzapine dosage was increased from 5 mg to 15 mg daily. The hair loss ceased after switching her medication to risperidone and then to flupenthixol depot. This was the first reported case of hair loss associated with olanzapine, a medication not typically linked to alopecia, which has an estimated incidence of less than 0.01% for this side effect. The authors highlighted the importance of recognizing hair loss as a potential side effect of olanzapine to ensure patient compliance with the treatment regimen. Other causes of hair loss were excluded, and the condition was suspected to be reversible upon discontinuation of the drug.