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. 2017 Sep;11(9):FR01-FR02.
doi: 10.7860/JCDR/2017/28564.10658. Epub 2017 Sep 1.

Sodium Valproate Induced Alopecia: A Case Series

Sereen Rose Thomson  1 , Vinay Mamulpet  1 , Shalini Adiga  2
Affiliations

Sodium Valproate Induced Alopecia: A Case Series

Sereen Rose Thomson et al. J Clin Diagn Res. 2017 Sep.

Abstract

Drug induced alopecia may range from a barely detectable shedding to an irreversible baldness. Alopecia associated with valproate is a dose-dependent and reversible side effect. We hereby report, three cases of alopecia that occurred in patients who received sodium valproate for various neurological conditions. In all three cases, long term exposure of valproate therapy led to the development of alopecia which eventually resolved after dose reduction or discontinuation. The Naranjo's causality assessment scale indicated valproate as the probable cause of the alopecia in all our patients.

Keywords: Adverse drug reaction; Anticonvulsant; Hair loss; Naranjo’s scale.

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