Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 10, 2025

MRI-guided Focused Ultrasound Thalamotomy for Patients with Medically-refractory Essential Tremor
Published on: December 13, 2017
Tremor Drugs in the Crosshairs
Tjerk J Lagrand1, Alexander C Lehn1,2
1Department of Neurology, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Woolloongabba, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
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.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Classification of Skeletal Muscle Relaxants
Peripherally acting skeletal muscle relaxants interfere with the neurotransmission at the neuromuscular end plate to induce paralysis during...
Centrally Acting Muscle Relaxants: Therapeutic Uses
Centrally acting drugs are classified into spasmolytic and antispasmodic drugs. Spasmolytic drugs such as baclofen, diazepam, and tizanidine inhibit spinal motor neurons and decrease muscle tone. Spasmolytic drugs are administered for severe and chronic spasms due to multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, stroke, and spinal cord and muscle injuries. However,...
Antiepileptic Drugs: Modulators of Neurotransmitter Release Mediated by SV2A Protein
SV2A is a transmembrane glycoprotein located predominantly in the brain, modulating the release of neurotransmitters for neuronal communication. Both levetiracetam and brivaracetam exhibit a high affinity for...
Spasmolytic Agents: Chemical Classification
A major class of centrally acting spasmolytics is the α2-agonist, such as tizanidine. These drugs bind to α2-adrenoceptors, inhibiting the release of the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate. They also...
Indirect-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Pharmacological Actions
At the neuromuscular junction, these agents work by inhibiting the breakdown of acetylcholine, allowing it to remain bound to the receptor and bind to nearby receptors. This process leads to repetitive firing of the endplate, causing muscle...
Antiepileptic Drugs: Glutamate Antagonists

