Can gabapentin cause hair loss?

Hair loss in Gabapentin users: What are the reported patterns?

Gabapentin is a type of seizure medication which is commonly used off label for a variety of pain syndromes. Hair loss is not a common side effects of gabapentin, but certainly can occur. Approximately 1-2 % of patients receiving gabapentin report hair loss. Hair loss can occur in both adults and children who use gabapentin.

Hair Loss in Adults Receiving Gabapentin

STUDY 1: Eker et al, 2009

Eker and colleagues reported a case in 2009 of a patient who developed patchy hair loss 1 week after using gabapentin at a dose of 1800 mg/day. Cessation of gabepentin led to a cessation in shedding in 2 more months and this was followed by regrowth.

STUDY 2: Picard et al 1997.

In 1997, Picard and colleagues reported a patient who developed hair loss 2 months after starting gabepentin at a dose of 1800 mg.

Hair Loss in Children Receiving Gabapentin



STUDY 3: Collins et al, 2019

Collins and colleagues reported alopecia as a side effect of gabapentin in 1 of 31 children treated for neurological impairment.

Conclusion

Hair loss from gabapentin use is not common but certainly can occur. Hair loss typically occurs within 2 months after starting the medication although may occur as early as 1 week in some patients. Hair regrowth is expected in most patients once the culprit drug is stopped.

References

Collins et al. Gabapentin for the treatment of pain manifestations in children with severe neurological impairment: a single-centre retrospective review. BMJ Paediatr Open. 2019; 3(1): e000467.

Eker et al. Alopecia associated with gabapentin in the treatment of neuropathic pain. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2009 Mar;37(3):e5-6.

Picard C, Jonville-Bera AP, Billard C, Autret E. Alopecia associated with gabapentin: First case [letter]. Ann Pharmacother 1997;31(10):1260.