My son has been on Depakote for a couple years at a lower dosage (500mg AM, 625mg PM) and noticed no hair loss at all. However, his seizures were increasing to the point where he had five seizures over the course of one day on Thanksgiving 2020. So we titrated him up to where he was taking 1000mg AM and 1500mg PM which was too much as his levels were too high and he was extremely tired. So we titrated him back down - he is now taking 1000mg AM & PM. Unfortunately, at the higher dosage is when we noticed the hair loss, or HE noticed it and is very concerned about it. I'm in the process of looking for an alternative right now. What do you do? He hasn't had a seizure in over 8 months (the longest he's ever gone) but now his self-esteem and self-confidence is suffering because of the hair loss/thinning. I'm wondering if it's a cumulative effect where the more that is in your system, that triggers the hair loss.
Does Depakote cause hair/loss thinning? Is it cumulative? Any alternatives without this side effect?
Question posted by jhens1998 on 11 Aug 2021
Last updated on 11 August 2021 by WildcatVet
Answers
Hi, jhens!
Most, if not all, psychotropic medications have the potential to cause alopecia in a small percentage of users:
"More common: hair loss or thinning of the hair"
"Dermatologic:
Very common (10% or more of users): Alopecia"
It has been shown to be dose dependent in several clinical studies.
I took Depakote for several years and had minimal hair loss but it changed the color and texture of my hair which changed back after the drug was discontinued.
You might ask your son's doctor about Lamictal (lamotrigine):
"Uncommon (0.1% to 1% of users): Alopecia"
This is what I've been taking for several years and my hair has grown back normally to waist length.
Best regards and best of luck to your son.
I’ve been taking depakote since i was about 23 and im 61 now. I take 1500 mgs a day (3 500mg pills) once a day and never noticed any hair loss untill after i was in my 50’s. So in my opinion no it does’nt. Hope that helped
Related topics
depakote, seizures, epilepsy, side effect, dosage, hair
Further information
- Depakote uses and safety info
- Depakote prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Depakote (detailed)
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