HAIR LOSS - AN ADVERSE REACTION TO TREATMENT WITH VIGABATRIN

Vigabatrin is an anticonvulsant drug which inhibits the catabolic enzy me GABA-transaminase (GABA-t), thereby increasing the action of synapt ically released GABA. Psychiatric complications, somnolence, fatigue, confusion, headache, abdominal pain, anorexia and weight gain have bee n described as common adverse effects of vigabatrin. We examined the e ffect of vigabatrin on hair growth. In 5 of 52 patients who received v igabatrin for partial complex seizures, moderate hair loss or changes in hair structure developed. The complaints began after 3-7 weeks of v igabatrin treatment. Recovery of hair loss was seen in al patients aft er cessation of treatment. Because of its social relevance, hair loss must be taken into consideration during vigabatrin therapy, especially in young patients.