TLDR A girl with Pitt-Hopkins syndrome developed curly hair as a rare side effect from the epilepsy drug perampanel.
The document described a case where a 13-year-old girl with Pitt-Hopkins syndrome and uncontrolled seizures experienced hair curling after starting treatment with the antiepileptic drug perampanel, in addition to her existing medications, levetiracetam and valproic acid. This side effect is rare and typically associated with valproic acid, but had not been previously reported with perampanel. The case highlighted the need to discuss potential cosmetic side effects, such as hair changes, with patients when introducing new antiepileptic drugs.
36 citations,
November 2016 in “European journal of dermatology/EJD. European journal of dermatology” Some medications can cause rare hair color changes, and reporting these side effects is important for patient quality of life.
46 citations,
December 2014 in “Epilepsy & behavior” Some antiepileptic drugs can cause weight gain and hair loss, especially in women.
13 citations,
November 2013 in “Seizure: European Journal of Epilepsy” Levetiracetam may cause hair loss, which can potentially reverse with lower doses or stopping the drug.
36 citations,
October 2008 in “European journal of paediatric neurology” Valproic acid treatment may cause temporary hair loss due to reduced zinc and biotinidase levels, which tend to normalize after 6 months.
13 citations,
January 2007 in “Epilepsia” Valproic acid can cause reversible hair curling and persistent hair thinning.
3 citations,
June 2023 in “Medicines” Some antiseizure medications can cause reversible hair loss, with valproate, lamotrigine, and carbamazepine being the most common.
17 citations,
November 2013 in “Clinical and experimental dermatology” Acitretin therapy may cause hair to repigment and curl.
14 citations,
January 2006 in “Skinmed” A woman developed white patches on her skin and curly hair after hepatitis C treatment, likely due to the medication interferon alpha.
6 citations,
October 2018 in “Drug safety - case reports” Alitretinoin may cause irreversible hair curling as a side effect.
September 2015 in “The European physical journal. E, Soft matter and biological physics/The European physical journal. E, Soft matter” Longer time setting curls overnight leads to better curl retention.
