Three cases of alopecia areata induced by zotepine.

Abstract

One schizophrenic and two manic-depressive patients who after the administration of zotepine, a new antipsychotic and antimanic drug, developed alopecia areata, a kind of autoimmune disease, are reported. They recovered following the discontinuation or decrease in the dose of zotepine. These three cases of alopecia areata suggest that the antipsychotic drugs may induce autoimmune disease through their neuropsychological effect.