Alopecia associated with agomelatine use: a case report

Ibrahim Gundogmus,Abdulkadir Karagoz,Ayhan Algul,Mustafa Ispir,Servet Ebrinc

doi:10.1080/24750573.2017.1338821

Ibrahim Gundogmus, Abdulkadir Karagoz + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1080/24750573.2017.1338821

Copy DOI

Abstract

ABSTRACTDrug-induced alopecia, characterized by non-scarring hair loss of scalp and body, is a rare side effect of psychotropic drugs. It has previously been reported with the different antidepressant medications, but has not been described with agomelatine. Agomelatine is an antidepressant with a novel mechanism of action and fewer side effects. Here, we report a 31-year-old male patient with diffuse hair loss induced by agomelatine use and improved by discontinuation the drug. Because antidepressant-induced hair loss is relatively rare, many clinicians may not pay attention for this side effect. As far as we know, this is the first published case report of alopecia associated with agomelatine.

Highlights

Antidepressant drugs may cause skin lesions such as urticaria, photosensitivity, alopecia, pruritus, eruptions, pruritus, acne, and dryskin
We report a case of hair loss in a 31 year-old man suffering from major depressive disorder and treated with agomelatine
To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case related with agomelatine and hair loss

Summary

Introduction

Antidepressant drugs may cause skin lesions such as urticaria, photosensitivity, alopecia, pruritus, eruptions, pruritus, acne, and dryskin. This type of dermatological side effects have been most frequently reported with escitalopram, sertraline, tricyclic antidepressants, and venlafaxine use [1]. Many psychotropic medications including mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, and antidepressants namely as TCA, SSRI, SNRI can cause hair loss with a heterogeneous clinically presentation [8,9]. In this case report, we present a patient who had agomelatine-induced pervasive hair loss which was recovered following agomelatine discontinuation. In the 3th months of venlafaxine treatment, there was no observed hair loss again and the depressive symptoms were improved

Discussion

Disclosure statement