Valproic Acid, Curly Hair, and Weight Gain

Valproic acid treatment was associated with weight gain in up to 20% of patients and changes in hair texture in up to 9%. A case study of a 19-year-old female patient showed a 13 kg weight gain and a change in hair from light, fine blonde to thicker, darker, and curly while on 1000 mg of valproic acid daily. Reducing the dose to 500 mg led to a 7 kg weight loss, but the hair changes persisted. Despite these side effects, the patient continued the medication due to its effectiveness in controlling her seizures, which other drugs had failed to achieve.