TLDR Sodium valproate can cause reversible hair loss in some patients.
In 2017, a case series was conducted on three patients who developed alopecia, a condition of hair loss, after long-term exposure to sodium valproate, a medication used for various neurological conditions. The alopecia was found to be dose-dependent and reversible. In all three cases, the alopecia resolved after the dose of sodium valproate was reduced or discontinued. The Naranjo’s causality assessment scale indicated valproate as the probable cause of the alopecia in all patients. Sodium valproate is known to cause hair loss in 6-12% of patients. The study concluded that drug-related hair loss requires an understanding of normal hair growth and the different causal factors involved. Physicians should be aware of this potential problem as it may contribute to noncompliance.
26 citations,
November 2016 in “European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology” Valproic acid helps delay hair loss and increases survival time for high-grade glioma patients undergoing radiation therapy.
9 citations,
January 2015 in “Indian Journal of Pharmacology/The Indian journal of pharmacology” Higher doses of the medication valproate can cause hair loss, which may stop when the dose is lowered or the medication is stopped.
46 citations,
December 2014 in “Epilepsy & behavior” Some antiepileptic drugs can cause weight gain and hair loss, especially in women.
17 citations,
January 2013 in “Indian Journal of Pharmacology” High levels of the seizure medication sodium valproate can cause hair loss.
148 citations,
December 2018 in “Journal of autoimmunity” Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease causing patchy hair loss, often with other autoimmune disorders, but its exact causes are unknown.
4 citations,
November 2018 in “JAAD case reports” Alopecia areata can sometimes appear as a straight line of hair loss instead of round patches.
May 2018 in “Journal of cosmetology & trichology” Combining platelet-rich plasma therapy with prostaglandin-F eye drops can significantly regrow hair in alopecia universalis.
