Although it is not a commonly reported side effect, hair loss may be a possible side effect of carbamazepine (Carbatrol^®, Epitol^®, Equetro^®, Tegretol^®). In previous studies, less than 5 percent of people taking Equetro for bipolar disorder reported hair loss. The exact percentage of people who developed hair loss while taking other forms of carbamazepine has not been reported. Given how common hair loss is in the general population, it is difficult to say whether hair loss is caused by carbamazepine, genetics, or other factors.

 

If you are taking carbamazepine and hair loss becomes a problem, talk with your healthcare provider. Depending on the severity of the hair loss, there are things that he or she can do. If your symptoms continue to be bothersome or if your healthcare provider believes the medicine is causing your hair loss, he or she may recommend another treatment for bipolar disorder, trigeminal neuralgia, or epilepsy.