Tremor Drugs in the Crosshairs

BACKGROUND: Alopecia areata is a rare but debilitating adverse effect of drugs used in the treatment of tremors. Recurrent hair loss after different types of tremor medications has never been described before. CASE REPORT: We herein report the case of a 56-year-old tremor patient who we diagnosed with tremor-dominant Parkinson’s disease. Unfortunately, she developed acute alopecia areata following the introduction of firstly levodopa/benserazide, secondly propranolol, and thirdly topiramate. DISCUSSION: Our case report highlights alopecia areata as a possible side effect to a variety of drugs commonly used for tremor management. Fortunately, in most reported cases, as well as in our case, the hair loss is reversible.