• Drug induced hypertrichosis
• Drug induced hypertrichosis references

Drug induced hypertrichosis

Many drugs cause hypertrichosis. Excess hair growth may involve vellus hair and/or pigmented terminal hair. The drugs may work to make fine vellus hairs grow larger and start producing pigmented terminal hair. The drugs may also prolong the anagen growth phase of hair follicles making them produce exceptionally long hair fibers. In all cases the molecular process by which the drugs act on the hair follicles is not completely understood.

The most well known drugs that cause hypertrichosis are;

• Minoxidil
• Cyclosporin
• Corticosteroids
• Diazoxide
• Streptomycin
• Interferon
• Sodium tetra decyl sulfate
• Acetazolamide

Cyclosporin is an immunosuppressive drug used by transplant patients to stop their bodies rejecting the transplanted organ. It has been noted that as a side effect it is quite common for patients to develop hypertrichosis either generalized or limited to certain areas, particularly the forearms.

Minoxidil was originally developed as an oral treatment for hypertension where it was first noted to have a side effect of inducing excess hair growth. Minoxidil is now widely available as a topical treatment for androgenetic alopecia. Normally its influence is limited to the regions of application but some, particularly women, have found excess hair growth develops beyond the site of application. The forearms, lower legs, and face seem to be the regions of skin most commonly affected.

Drug induced hypertrichosis references

• Mihatsch MJ, Kyo M, Morozumi K, Yamaguchi Y, Nickeleit V, Ryffel B. The side-effects of ciclosporine-A and tacrolimus. Clin Nephrol. 1998 Jun;49(6):356-63.
• Yamamoto S, Kato R. Hair growth-stimulating effects of cyclosporin A and FK506, potent immunosuppressants. J Dermatol Sci. 1994 Jul;7 Suppl:S47-54.
• Tosi A, Misciali C, Piraccini BM, Peluso AM, Bardazzi F. Drug-induced hair loss and hair growth. Incidence, management and avoidance. Drug Saf. 1994 Apr;10(4):310-7.
• Ozdogan M, Gur G, Kadayifcilar S, Boyacioglu S, Ozgur O, Teletar H. An unusual adverse effect of interferon: hypertrichosis of the eyelashes. J Interferon Cytokine Res. 2000 Jul;20(7):633-4.
• O'Connell BM, Abel EA, Nickoloff BJ, Bell BJ, Hunt SA, Theodore J, Shumway NE, Jacobs PH. Dermatologic complications following heart transplantation. J Heart Transplant. 1986 Nov-Dec;5(6):430-6.
• Berglund EF, Burton GV, Mills GM, Nichols GM. Hypertrichosis of the eyelashes associated with interferon-alpha therapy for chronic granulocytic leukemia. South Med J. 1990 Mar;83(3):363.
• Miwa LJ, Shaefer MS, Stratta RJ, Wood RP, Langnas AM, Shaw BW Jr. Drug-induced hypertrichosis: case report and review of the literature. DICP. 1990 Apr;24(4):365-8.
• Peluso AM, Misciali C, Vincenzi C, Tosti A. Diffuse hypertrichosis during treatment with 5% topical minoxidil. Br J Dermatol. 1997 Jan;136(1):118-20.
• Baral J. Minoxidil and tail-like effect. Int J Dermatol. 1989 Mar;28(2):140.
• Kaler SG, Patrinos ME, Lambert GH, Myers TF, Karlman R, Anderson CL. Hypertrichosis and congenital anomalies associated with maternal use of minoxidil. Pediatrics. 1987 Mar;79(3):434-6.
• Schropl F. [Clinical studies with prednicarbate with special reference to double-blind comparisons with common therapeutic preparations]. Z Hautkr. 1986;61 Suppl 1:80-7.
• Robertson DB, Maibach HI. Topical corticosteroids. Int J Dermatol. 1982 Mar;21(2):59-67.
• Burton JL, Marshall A. Hypertrichosis due to minoxidil. Br J Dermatol. 1979 Nov;101(5):593-5.
• Earhart RN, Ball J, Nuss DD, Aeling JL. Minoxidil-induced hypertrichosis: treatment with calcium thioglycolate depilatory. South Med J. 1977 Apr;70(4):442-3.
• Lutz G. Effects of cyclosporin A on hair. Skin Pharmacol. 1994;7(1-2):101-4.
• Sever PS. Hypertrichosis and verapamil. Lancet. 1991 Nov 9;338(8776):1215-6.
• Gaffney CC, Roberts JT. Hypertrichosis lanuginosa acquisita following cytotoxic chemotherapy. Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol). 1992 Jul;4(4):267-8.
• Menter MA. Hypertrichosis lanuginosa and a lichenoid eruption due to diazoxide therapy. Proc R Soc Med. 1973 Apr;66(4):326-7.
• Milner RD, Chouksey SK. Effects of fetal exposure to diazoxide in man. Arch Dis Child. 1972 Aug;47(254):537-43.