Olanzapine Induced Hair Loss: A Case Report

December 2012 in “ Klinik Psikofarmakoloji Bülteni-Bulletin of Clinical Psychopharmacology ”

Murat Kuloğlu, Sevda Korkmaz, Nilufer Kilic, Sema Sağlam, Mehmet Gürkan Gürok, Murad Atmaca

TLDR Stopping the drug olanzapine can reverse hair loss caused by it.

The case report described an instance of hair loss induced by the use of olanzapine, an atypical antipsychotic. This side effect, known as drug-induced alopecia, is characterized by generalized hair loss and is reversible upon discontinuation of the drug. While this side effect is commonly associated with psychotropic agents like valproic acid and lithium, reports of hair loss due to atypical antipsychotics are limited. The reported case showed that the patient's hair loss resolved after stopping olanzapine treatment.

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research The Influence of Valproic Acid and Carbamazepine Treatment on Serum Biotin and Zinc Levels and on Biotinidase Activity

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.

research Cutaneous Effects of the Most Commonly Used Antidepressant Medication, the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors

55 citations , May 2007 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Antidepressants called SSRIs can cause skin problems, bleeding risk, and other side effects.

research Alopecia Associated with Quetiapine

19 citations , March 2007 in “International Clinical Psychopharmacology”

Quetiapine may cause hair loss, a side effect not widely recognized before.

research Olanzapine-Induced Hair Loss: A Case Report

8 citations , November 2002 in “The Canadian journal of psychiatry/Canadian journal of psychiatry”

Increasing olanzapine caused hair loss in a woman, which stopped after changing medication.

research Hair Loss in Psychopharmacology

63 citations , March 2000 in “Annals of clinical psychiatry”

Some psychiatric medications can cause hair loss, but it usually grows back after adjusting the medication.

research Alopecia Due to Psychotropic Medications

37 citations , May 1999 in “Annals of pharmacotherapy/The annals of pharmacotherapy”

Some psychotropic medications can rarely cause hair loss, and stopping these drugs usually reverses the condition.

research Alopecia and Mood Stabilizer Therapy

38 citations , September 1996 in “Annals of Clinical Psychiatry”

Hair loss from mood stabilizers is common but can be managed without stopping the medication.

research Drug-Induced Hair Loss and Hair Growth

147 citations , April 1994 in “Drug Safety”

Some drugs can cause hair loss or increase hair growth, but these effects are usually reversible when the drug is stopped.

research Psychotropic Medication and Drug-Related Alopecia

30 citations , May 1991 in “Psychosomatics”

Some psychiatric medications can cause reversible hair loss.