Self-reported hair loss in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria treated with omalizumab: an under-reported, transient side effect?
Omalizumab has been recently approved for treating patients with refractory to H1- antihistamines chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU). Although hair loss is listed among omalizumab side effects, there are no available data to estimate its frequency. We describe for the first time hair loss as a side effect associated with omalizumab administration in three women, 38, 62 and 70 years old, suffering from refractory to H1-antihistamines CSU. This information was retrieved from their Chronic Urticaria Quality of Life Questionnaires. Despite this side effect, all patients agreed to continue omalizumab regular administration. Hair loss appeared to be transient, lasting up to four months. All cases finally benefited from omalizumab continuation.
Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 424 General Military Training Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece. 1st Internal Medicine Department, University General Hospital AHEPA, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece. E-mail: gnkonstantinou@gmail.com.
G N
GN
Konstantinou
Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 424 General Military Training Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
A G
AG
Chioti
1st Internal Medicine Department, University General Hospital AHEPA, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece.
M
M
Daniilidis
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000505:Alopecia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D000069444:Omalizumab / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D057566:Self Report; D013997:Time Factors; D014581:Urticaria / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology
D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D000069444:Omalizumab
chronic spontaneous urticaria; hair loss; omalizumab; quality of life; side effect