Sertraline-associated hair loss.
BACKGROUND
Many commonly prescribed prescription drugs such as dopaminergic therapies can cause temporary hair loss. Sertraline is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. Its relative potency for dopamine reuptake inhibition is one of its differentiations with other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors such as fluoxetine.


METHODS
This is a report of a woman with a major depressive disorder who complained of diffuse scalp hair loss during treatment with sertraline. This case is unique because before taking sertraline and after the discontinuation of sertraline, the patient had taken fluoxetine. There was no report of hair loss during the fluoxetine therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
The different impacts of sertraline and fluoxetine on dopamine reuptake inhibition were identified as a possible reason for this side effect. Therefore, this rare side effect of sertraline should be noted and further studies may show that switching from one selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor to another may prevent hair loss.
Ghanizadeh
Ahmad
A
Research Center for Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Hafez Hospital, Shiraz, Iran. ghanizadeha@hotmail.com
D000328:Adult; D000505:Alopecia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020280:Sertraline / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D020280:Sertraline