Drug-Induced Hair Disorders

Title: Drug-Induced Hair Disorders

Volume: 1 Issue: 3

Author(s): Bianca Maria Piraccini, Matilde Iorizzo, Giulia Rech and Antonella Tosti

Affiliation:

Keywords: Hair loss, alopecia, drugs

Abstract: Drugs may induce hair loss, stimulate hair growth or, more rarely, induce changes in the hair shape and colour. Drug-induced hair loss is usually completely reversible and is, in most cases, a consequence of a toxic effect of the drug on the hair follicle matrix. In rare cases alopecia may be permanent. Depending on type of drug, dosage and patient susceptibility, hair loss presents as telogen effluvium, anagen effluvium or both. Telogen effluvium is also commonly observed after discontinuation of drugs that prolong anagen, such as topical minoxidil and oral contraceptives. Although a large number of drugs have been occasionally reported to produce hair loss, only for a few drugs the relation between drug intake and hair loss has been proven.

Cite this article as:

Maria Piraccini Bianca, Iorizzo Matilde, Rech Giulia and Tosti Antonella, Drug-Induced Hair Disorders, Current Drug Safety 2006; 1 (3) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/157488606777934477