Alopecia associated with the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors: Systematic review

Psychiatry Research

Volume 313, July 2022, 114620

Short communication

Alopecia associated with the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors: Systematic review

Author links open overlay panelAna V.PejcicaVikashPaudelb

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2022.114620Get rights and content

Highlights

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Clinicians should be aware that alopeciamay be a side effect of SSRIs.

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Time to onset ranged from 3 days to 5 years, with a median of 8.6 weeks.

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Described severity ranged from slight to intolerable hair loss.

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SSRI-induced alopecia is usually reversible after discontinuation of the drug.

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Alopecia persistence was reported with escitalopram and fluoxetine (one case each).

Abstract

We aimed to systematically review published cases of alopecia (hair loss) associated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Four electronic databases were searched up to November 16, 2021. Thirty-eight publications describing 71 patients with a total of 81 episodes of alopecia met inclusion criteria. Patients' age ranged from 7 to 85 years and 80.3% were female. Alopecia most commonly affected scalp (98.6%). Reported time to onset ranged from 3 days to 5 years (median: 8.6 weeks). Discontinuation of the suspected SSRI led to recovery in 63.0% of episodes. Clinicians should be aware of this possible adverse effect of SSRIs.

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Benjamin Hidalgo-Matlock
Skin Care Physicians of Costa Rica

Clinica Victoria en San Pedro: 4000-1054
Momentum Escazu: 2101-9574

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