2 citations,
April 2017 in “Asian Journal of Psychiatry” Valproic acid can cause hair loss when taken orally but may promote hair growth when applied topically.
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.
37 citations,
February 2014 in “Journal of Dermatology” Valproic acid increases hair count in men with hair loss.
6 citations,
April 2013 in “International Journal of Dermatology” Valproic acid helped hair growth in alopecia patient; more research needed.
61 citations,
January 2013 in “Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology” Hair usually grows back 1-3 months after treatment for anagen effluvium, and children with Loose Anagen Hair Syndrome often improve by adolescence.
17 citations,
January 2013 in “Indian Journal of Pharmacology” High levels of the seizure medication sodium valproate can cause hair loss.
85 citations,
April 2012 in “PLOS ONE” Valproic Acid helps regrow hair in mice and activates a hair growth marker in human cells.
16 citations,
May 2009 in “Journal of child neurology” Valproic acid does not change biotinidase enzyme activity in children's blood.
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.
17 citations,
January 2008 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology” Valproic acid can cause hair loss, but information on hair color change is not detailed.
13 citations,
January 2007 in “Epilepsia” Valproic acid can cause reversible hair curling and persistent hair thinning.
15 citations,
May 2006 in “Brain & development” Valproic acid may cause hair loss by reducing biotinidase enzyme activity in rats.
16 citations,
October 2004 in “Acta dermato-venereologica” Two people lost a lot of hair because of epilepsy drugs, but their hair grew back after changing medication.
73 citations,
October 2001 in “Epilepsia” Children taking higher doses of valproic acid had lower biotinidase activity, which may lead to biotin deficiency, but biotin supplements could help.
