Sodium Valproate Induced Alopecia: A Case Series

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.