Albendazole-induced anagen effluvium

Anagen effluvium is a nonscarring alopecia that often presents after a toxic or inflammatory insult fractures the hair shaft. Anagen effluvium may be triggered by chemotherapeutic agents (antimetabolites, alkylating agents, and mitotic inhibitors) and usually occurs within 14 days of treatment. The effects are generally reversible, with hair regrowth upon discontinuation of the offending agent.1 In contrast, telogen effluvium is caused by the premature shift of anagen hairs into the resting phase.2 Precipitating factors include medications, physical or psychological stressors, hospitalization, and pregnancy.1 Although albendazole has a relatively benign side-effect profile, rare occurrences of anagen and telogen-effluvium have been described with this medication.3, 4