"Hypertrichosis and verapamil" - published in The Lancet, Vol. 338, Nov
9, 1991, 1215-1216.
"Verapamil and hair colour change" - published in The Lancet, Vol. 338,
Dec 14,
1991, 1520.
"Sir - Hyertrichosis after treatment with the vasodilator drugs
minoxidil and diazoxide has been widely reported (1), but it has been
rarely, if ever, been noted with calcium-channel blocking drugs. I
report a 50-year-old man who was diagnosed as being hypertensive.
Because of the coexistence of hyperlipidaemia and a history of bronchial
asthma he was prescribed _____slow release verapamil (240mg per day)____
. Within three to four weeks(!!!!!!!!) of starting treatment he noticed thickening of his
head hair and growth over a balding patch; the growth of hair (for the
first time) on his chest and abdomen, and new hair growth on all four
limbs. His blood pressure was satisfactorily controlled. Another case,
perhaps, for tailored therapy."
The second case study, "Verapamil and hair colour change", reports that
a women taking 240mg per day of slow release verapamil experienced
strong re-pigmentation of her frontal hair, along with thicker hair in
that same area.
In addition to these reports, a recent study, reported at a hair loss
conference, shows topical verapamil to be effective in alopecia areata.
Here is the abstract:
"EFFECT OF CALCIUM CHANNEL BLOCKERS ON PROLIFERATION
AND DIFFERENTIATION OF KERATINOCYTES AND FIBROBLASTS OF
HAIR FOLLICLES IN CULTURE AND SUBSTANTIATION OF THEIR USE
TO TREAT ALOPECIA AREATA PATIENTS."
Mazitova L. P., Chirchenko M. A.
"Alopecia areata has remained an important problem in dermatology.
Etiology and
pathogenesis of the disease remain unclear, while a steadily growing
incidence of
alopecia areata among virile population and the tendency toward
increasing
incidence of torpid forms of the disease suggest necessity to develop
new, more
effective methods of treatment.
A method has been developed to isolate epidermal keratinocytes and
fibroblast cells
from human hair follicles and to cultivate them.
The effect of some calcium channel blockers (verapamil and foridon in
particular) on
proliferation of keratinocytes and fibroblasts of the hair follicle has
been
established.
It has been shown that calcium channel blockers can produce a
dose-dependent
stimulating effect on cell proliferation in culture.
Toxic, stimulating, and inhibiting doses of the preparations have been
determined.
Effect of local use of ointment on the structural and quantitative
parameters of hair
follicles have been studied.
The high therapeutic effect, which was demonstrated in alopecia areata
patients
treated with verapamil ointment (as a component of complex therapy),
proves
advantage of the proposed method over the traditionally used complex
treatment.
The results of studies suggest usefulness of producing verapamil
ointment."
One concern I have related to topical verapamil use is systemic
absorption. There are studies related to this issue, but I have not read
them. I have a feeling there is at least a little bit of leakage into
the general circulation, but I am not sure. Somone needs to research
this issue.
Lastly, the two reports on oral verapamil specifically mention the
slow-release version of the drug, and the immediate-release type.
9, 1991, 1215-1216.
"Verapamil and hair colour change" - published in The Lancet, Vol. 338,
Dec 14,
1991, 1520.
"Sir - Hyertrichosis after treatment with the vasodilator drugs
minoxidil and diazoxide has been widely reported (1), but it has been
rarely, if ever, been noted with calcium-channel blocking drugs. I
report a 50-year-old man who was diagnosed as being hypertensive.
Because of the coexistence of hyperlipidaemia and a history of bronchial
asthma he was prescribed _____slow release verapamil (240mg per day)____
. Within three to four weeks(!!!!!!!!) of starting treatment he noticed thickening of his
head hair and growth over a balding patch; the growth of hair (for the
first time) on his chest and abdomen, and new hair growth on all four
limbs. His blood pressure was satisfactorily controlled. Another case,
perhaps, for tailored therapy."
The second case study, "Verapamil and hair colour change", reports that
a women taking 240mg per day of slow release verapamil experienced
strong re-pigmentation of her frontal hair, along with thicker hair in
that same area.
In addition to these reports, a recent study, reported at a hair loss
conference, shows topical verapamil to be effective in alopecia areata.
Here is the abstract:
"EFFECT OF CALCIUM CHANNEL BLOCKERS ON PROLIFERATION
AND DIFFERENTIATION OF KERATINOCYTES AND FIBROBLASTS OF
HAIR FOLLICLES IN CULTURE AND SUBSTANTIATION OF THEIR USE
TO TREAT ALOPECIA AREATA PATIENTS."
Mazitova L. P., Chirchenko M. A.
"Alopecia areata has remained an important problem in dermatology.
Etiology and
pathogenesis of the disease remain unclear, while a steadily growing
incidence of
alopecia areata among virile population and the tendency toward
increasing
incidence of torpid forms of the disease suggest necessity to develop
new, more
effective methods of treatment.
A method has been developed to isolate epidermal keratinocytes and
fibroblast cells
from human hair follicles and to cultivate them.
The effect of some calcium channel blockers (verapamil and foridon in
particular) on
proliferation of keratinocytes and fibroblasts of the hair follicle has
been
established.
It has been shown that calcium channel blockers can produce a
dose-dependent
stimulating effect on cell proliferation in culture.
Toxic, stimulating, and inhibiting doses of the preparations have been
determined.
Effect of local use of ointment on the structural and quantitative
parameters of hair
follicles have been studied.
The high therapeutic effect, which was demonstrated in alopecia areata
patients
treated with verapamil ointment (as a component of complex therapy),
proves
advantage of the proposed method over the traditionally used complex
treatment.
The results of studies suggest usefulness of producing verapamil
ointment."
One concern I have related to topical verapamil use is systemic
absorption. There are studies related to this issue, but I have not read
them. I have a feeling there is at least a little bit of leakage into
the general circulation, but I am not sure. Somone needs to research
this issue.
Lastly, the two reports on oral verapamil specifically mention the
slow-release version of the drug, and the immediate-release type.