Trichotillomania is a compulsive disorder that results in people pulling or plucking the hair on their head as well as their bodies. Sometimes, the hair loss can be so severe that bald patches are left on the scalp and other parts of the body. To cope with this kind of hair loss and prevent further damage and balding, many trichotillomania drugs are currently available on the market to help patients afflicted with the problem. Most people experience immediate relief with trichotillomania treatment.
Currently, there are no specific drugs for trichotillomania. So, other kinds of drugs and formulations used for psychological and obsessive behaviors are used to control and treat this disorder. Most drugs used for the treatment of trichotillomania belong to the category of psychiatric drugs. One of the top drugs that works toward trichotillomania treatment is Clomipramine (Anafranil®). It belongs to the category of drugs that are clinically referred to as tricyclics.
Abnormal levels of the neurohormone and the neurotransmitter serotonin are responsible for trichotillomania and the associated problem of hair loss. So, all active pharmacological agents that prevent the absorption of serotonin in the body can also help people control trichotillomania. The specific category of drugs that do precisely this are called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
A few examples of trichotillomania drugs that have proved to be effective in coping with this disorder include sertraline (Zoloft®), fluvoxamine (Luvox®), and clomioramine. While some people respond extremely well to these drugs, they are found to be largely ineffective in other people. Since the efficacy of trichotillomania drugs varies from one individual to another, another class of top trichotillomania drugs that are administered are risperidone and clonazepam. These are chemical agents that address the dopamine imbalance in the body.
More often than not, doctors and medical practitioners recommend a combined approach for trichotillomania treatment that includes both dopamine and serotonin inhibitors. Other trichotillomania drugs are targeted exclusively at minimizing the intensity of the symptoms of this problem in children.
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