Apixaban & Dry Skin

[CH11]

Evening,

I have been taking Apixaban since Feb 20 and noticed my skin becoming dry and my scalp occasionally becoming irritated. I am managing this by moisturising frequently throughout the day and this seems to work.

I wondered if others had experienced anything similar and/or had recommendations.

Thanks 🙂

[Tofino5]

Hi CH11, I’ve been on apixiban for a few years now and haven’t had any skin issues since I’ve been on it. I live in a very arid climate, so dry skin is a given; but it has been no worse since I made the switch from warfarin. What does your doc say?

[CH11 in reply to Tofino5]

Hi Tofino5, thanks for the reply. I haven’t spoke to the Dr yet, I have another appointment in Feb so I’ll mention it then, as it isn’t anything major. Out of curiosity, do you prefer Apixaban?

[Rsw1fe]

Interesting. My husband, an otherwise healtby and active 85-year-old, has been taking Apixaban for about 2 years and he has a chronic itchy rash on his back, treated with the cortisone cream Elocon. He also moisturises arms and legs with Epaderm. I'm a bit worried about continuous cortisone. Your post has prompted asking the GP if the Apixaban is the culprit and if an alternative is indicated.

[CH11 in reply to Rsw1fe]

Did your GP ever confirm if there could be a link between the two?

[motorbike]

Yes mine has become dry. I’ve been on for 3 years April . Sadly can’t come off. Also sadly had to come off HRT . All they say is we have to live with it

[CH11 in reply to motorbike]

I am the same, I will be on them for life. I have recently noticed that rose hip oil is helping my skin at the moment though. Maybe not for everyone.

[Rsw1fe]

GP not consulted as yet. But the rash has responded to calamine lotion which dries the skin! Maybe it's a different condition from yours it the itch is much better.

[Emarho in reply to Rsw1fe]

I had an itchy rash on my back from my very first dose of anticoagulants after a hip replacement in 2019. I use anti-itch cream which lessens the irritation. I was prescribed several variations of the anticoagulants, but settled on Apixaban which causes minimal side effects. Keep trying.