CASE REPORT - Hair loss while on Enbrel

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Alopecia areata during etanercept therapy.

Ocul Immunol Inflamm. 2009 Mar-Apr;17(2):127-9.

Pan Y, Rao NA.

Doheny Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of

Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California

90033, USA.

Abstract

PURPOSE: To report a case of alopecia areata occurring during

anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy.

METHODS: Observational case report.

RESULTS: The authors describe a 44-year-old man with ankylosing

spondylitis who developed 6 months of patchy hair loss consistent with

alopecia areata while undergoing treatment with etanercept.

CONCLUSIONS: Although anti-TNF agents are expected to impede

autoimmune-related processes such as alopecia areata, these drugs have

been found to be causally related to the development of alopecia

areata. Ophthalmologists who are increasing involved in using these

biologic agents should be aware of possible side effects.

PMID: 19412875

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19412875

Not an MD