Title:Citalopram-Associated Alopecia: A Case Report and Brief Literature Review
Volume: 14
Issue: 2
Author(s): Joshua Hekmatjah*, Kinza Tareen and Ruqiya Shama Tareen
Affiliation:
- Western Michigan University, Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, Kalamazoo, MI,United States
Keywords:
Alopecia, SSRIs, adverse drug reactions, citalopram, VIGIBASE, Fluoxetine.
Abstract:
Background: Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are the first-line treatments
for various psychiatric disorders. SSRIs offer an improved side effect profile compared to
older treatments, which improves patients’ adherence and quality of life.
Case Report: Here we discuss a case of an uncommon, but a distressing side effect of citalopram. A
76-year old woman was referred to the psychiatry clinic for bizarre behavior. The patient was diagnosed
with behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia and was started on citalopram 20 mg and aripiprazole
5 mg daily. At 3.5 months the patient complained of diffuse hair thinning on her scalp.
Citalopram was considered the offending agent and was discontinued. Within a few months, the patient
regained most of her hair. Although drug-induced alopecia is common among other SSRIs, it is
relatively rare with citalopram.
Results and Conclusion: Early recognition, withdrawal of offending agent, and reassurance to the
patient that hair loss is reversible can help alleviate patient distress and avoid relapse.