Q:  Trileptal & Thinning Hair?

I was on Trileptal about a year ago.  I liked it as an alternative to Depakote, which really increased my weight.  I eventually stopped taking Trileptal because I thought that it was causing my hair to thin.  Now I realize that my hair may be thinning with age (32).  I really need to go back on meds for my Bipolar II.

Have you had patients on Trileptal complain about thinning hair?

Thanks
Louis

Hello Louis -- 
Not yet -- but a doctor friend of mine says "medications are guilty until proven innocent".  Did your hair change toward becoming thicker after you went off the medication?  If not, then your court verdict might indeed be "not guilty"!  The current list of medication options and some comments on my experience with each of them can be found in my summary of mood stabilizer options, in case you want something to go on as you talk to your doctor about alternatives. 

Dr. Phelps