Topical Gabapentin for the Treatment of Symptomatic Scalp in Cicatricial Alopecias

April 2016 in “ The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology ”

Erin Dodd, Elisabeth Hurliman, Gwen Wendelschafer‐Crabb, Donald C. Miller, William F. Kennedy, Maria Hordinsky

topical gabapentin cicatricial alopecia scalp pruritus epidermal nerve fiber density VIP expression lymphocytic cicatricial alopecia gabapentin

TLDR Topical gabapentin was safe and effective for treating scalp symptoms and promoting hair regrowth in cicatricial alopecias.

In this pilot study, topical 6% gabapentin solution was applied twice daily for 12 weeks to treat neuropathic scalp symptoms in a patient with lymphocytic cicatricial alopecia and scalp pruritus. The patient experienced significant reductions in disease activity (LPPAI 0.33 vs. 1.42) and scalp pruritus (visual analog score 1/10 vs. 6/10), along with notable hair regrowth on the affected scalp. Biopsies showed increased epidermal nerve fiber density and VIP expression post-treatment, with no detectable serum gabapentin levels or adverse effects. These results suggested that topical gabapentin was safe and effective for managing symptomatic scalp in cicatricial alopecias, warranting further studies to confirm these findings.

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