Hair.

My hair seems to be getting thinner with the Warfarin. Any suggestions for the best thing to make my hair appear thicker. I have tried a couple but they haven't made a lot if difference.

[doodle68]

Hello 200444 if the hair loss is really bothering you maybe suggest to your GP that you try one of the newer anticoagulants 'NOACS' . I haven't read of anyone on Apixaban with hair loss.

[Hidden in reply to doodle68]

I think that someone has posted recently with hair loss with Apixaban. I took note particularly because that is the NOAC favoured by my surgery. (I'm on warfarin at present )

[doodle68 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Yatsura I think it is down to trial and error with these meds, what affects one person is ok with another.

I haven't noticed any hair loss since I have been on with Apixaban.

There was a post recently about hair loss with debigatran .

healthunlocked.com/afassoci...

[Hidden in reply to doodle68]

I have asked GP about changing to Apixaban but he says warfarin is safer.

[Rellim296 in reply to Hidden]

a) isn't this view a bit out of date?

and

b) for safer, read cheaper?

[PaulaCH in reply to Hidden]

Wouldn't a cardiologist know more about safety than a GP??

[WendyWu20 in reply to doodle68]

Apixaban is making my hair fall out really quickly! I've been on it for 3 months and really hoping it will settle down soon :o)

[Hidden]

Yes it is all trial and error really. I believe that all anticoagulants are implicated to some extent in hair loss.

Sandra

[CaroleF]

No hair loss for me on apixaban. Also I am fairly sure I read a paper not so long ago that compared apixaban favourably with warfarin in terms of 'safety'.

[CaroleF]

Further to my post above .... I meant to say .... Have you considered consulting your hairdresser about the hair loss problem? I expect a good hairdresser could suggest a product that would help - or even a change of hairstyle that might disguise things? Failing that then I guess a consultation with a trichologist might be the answer, especially if you don't want to switch to a NOAC such as apixaban.

[Hidden]

Thanks CaroleF I will have a word with my hairdresser. I don't think I have lost an awful lot of hair . Its just it seems to be thinner and I've noticed when I brush it there always seems to be a few hairs come out.

[CaroleF in reply to Hidden]

If it's any consolation I did wonder if I was loosing hair at one point (though I was unaware at the time that anti-coagulants might be responsible for this) since the plug trap I use always seemed to have lot of hair in it after I'd had a shower and washed my hair. Ditto in the hairbrush. However, I've come to the conclusion that this is just natural hair loss and my hair doesn't really seem to be any thinner. I did ask the hairdresser if she noticed that it was thinner and she said not. However I do have pretty thick hair. I hope your hairdresser can help and put your mind at rest. We AFers have enough to get worried about without the loss of our 'crowning glory'!

[Bagrat]

Interesting about GPs take on safer anticoagulant. Dr Sanjay Gupta asked cardiologists in York Hospital which anticoagulant they would prefer and all asked said a NOAC ( which now being less "novel" seem to also be called "DOACs" - direct.....etc.). He recommended Apixaban for me as it has the best profile for low bleeding risk. As I am awaiting biopsy results and treatment plan for unrelated issue, I will pursue this in due course.

[CaroleF in reply to Bagrat]

Just as an aside Bagrat , I take apixaban (no problems apart from minor bruising especially on my hands) and had a punch biopsy several weeks ago for an unrelated issue. No bleeding at all following that procedure. (But your biopsy has already taken place I now realise. Message to self ..... engage brain before writing! I'm leaving this though in case it may prove helpful to someone else)

[Bagrat in reply to CaroleF]

Thanks Carole. Thats a help as I may need further surgery following my lumpectomy but hope not. I just prefer to cope with one change at a time!! Statistically I don't think that a few weeks will make any difference for me as an individual

[wpw62]

No hair loss for me since starting rivaroxaban last December. Had a lot of hair loss with warfarin.

[3killeens in reply to wpw62]

Same with me lots of hair loss with warfarin ,but very little with rivaroxaban.

[Polski]

This can happen if you are 'run-down' in some way, quite apart from the effect of any medications. You could try taking a good multi-vitamin-and-mineral from a health food shop for three months. It should also boost your general health. Processing the medicines we all take can deplete our stores of essential vitamins/minerals etc, leaving us vulnerable to other minor irritating problems.

[starry-eyes]

Try Perfectil supplement for hair and a caffeine shampoo.

[Izzle]

I've been on warfarin for about 10 years and hadn't noticed hair loss. But being male and the wrong genes I've very little hair anyway. However a few years ago I did look into shampoos. I think the FDA approve caffeine shampoos for baldness but of course caffeine is a stimulant so I didn't try it as it could be an AF trigger.

What I found was a shampoo called Sebizole which has 2% kenoconazole which is a steroid. After 3 months I started to grow downy hair all over my bald spot, but not enough to fulfill my vanity. I think it was beginning to work as this steroid may attack fungal growths that infect the follicles but don't know how true that is.

[Bagrat in reply to Izzle]

kenoconazole is an anti fungal, I guess if you use it regularly it may be ok but a lot of anti fungals affect warfarin adversely so wouldn't like others to be encouraged to try it.

[Izzle in reply to Bagrat]

Well I didn't know that. At the time I used it I don't remember any issues with my INR results or a change in AF frequency, but we are all different.

Many thanks for you advice.

[Mike11]

Change to apixaban. My hair is a lot better after I changed

[2564]

Hi

I have been on warfarin for over 10 years now. My hair has got thinner. I have discovered

a product called Fibrology - Double Elixir. I won't say the brand name, as I am not sure we can advertise here. Any big chemist sells it. I use the one you don't wash out, just spray on

However it doubles the volume of my hair. I wouldn't be without it.

[Hidden in reply to 2564]

Thanks 2564 I will try and find it.

[gateman]

I find a toupee does the trick!

[MazzyB]

My hair still does come out but I've been using Pantene Age Defy shampoo and conditioner this has definitely made a difference.

[Hidden in reply to MazzyB]

Thanks MazyB I will try them.