Hi there, this is not a question, but thought this would be the best way to feedback what my doctor said about my thinning hair which seems to have got worse since I was diagnosed with afib.
My doctor is adamant that apixaban and sotalol are not the culprits and it is more likely the sertraline I have been taking and now I have weaned off these. I have also been told that stress will be another factor and the fact that I am almost 64 should expect some thinning of the hair! Oh to be getting old 🙃
Written by
Karendeena
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
I experienced hair loss on Apixaban and all of the DOAC’s. It may not be listed as a side effect, but it sure is. However, I am on Warfarin now and the hair loss is much worse. Some people don’t have problems, but I certainly do and it is listed as a possible side effect.
If you look at the related posts on the right you will see a lot of people experience hair loss with Apixaban and all of the anticoagulants.
Hi Karendeena. Thanks for letting us know the outcome of your chat to your gp. I wasn't on any medication until the problem with AF. My hair loss wasn't too noticeable until I went on Rivaroxaban. Maybe it's the interaction of the beta blockers and anti coagulants. I really don't buy the ageing excuse from the gp for something that started so suddenly. 😳
Commiserations - Youth is wasted on the Young - as my granny used to say!
Interestingly - my hair has thickened considerably in recent years (70) and I put that down to better stress management, much improved nutrition and growing my hair longer?? Not a choice in the last year!
I don’t believe or see how any of the DOACs cause hair thinning, I know Warfarin can and causes brittle nails and I can see the link for the sertraline.
CDreamer, I agree, to be honest my GP said that it is more likely to be stress related as most 'worry often subconsciously about afib. Also, if you worry about your hair thinning then the stress of that can make it worse!
We are all different and some people may experience hair thinning on anticoagulants. I have been on warfarin for 16 years with no such problems BUT my nails became very hard and brittle.
Hi Karendeena,Hair loss is distressing, welcome to the clan! My hair loss started about 3 months after starting on Apixaban, along with itching and a whole host of other skin problems. I have had PAF for almost 20 years, but all these other issues started when I began taking Apixaban. Stress really doesn't help (neither does getting older!), but I found my stress levels reduced when I got accustomed to the new (unpleasant) normal (and learn't to avoid mirrors)! Good Luck
Thank you Ederlezi I like your style! Strangely enough I get a lot of skin itching and scalp itching! I too have PAF and often feel flutters but the super fast heart rate seems to have settled on sotalol.
Hello zkarendeena, I have taken sotalol for 17 years and my hair is as thick as when young, however I think you must take into account any heredity genes, I have had bad depression this past year but still the hairdressers exclaim how lucky I am to have a thick head of hair.Don’t worry it will return, good luck
Buy some good mullti-vitamin and mineral tablets from a health food shop, along with a probiotic, and take them for at least three months. If your body is short of some nutrient, which can easily happen when we have health issues and take medication, then hair loss can be a consequence. So the important thing is to restore your body's vitamin and mineral store, and then your hair can restore itself. Eating healthily and avoiding junk food will also help.
My hair loss started with Coumadin and increased when put on Sotalol, then on Flecainide. The stress I have is from these miserable meds. My question, will I become bald, because I have to take these meds or just have strings of hair. If you ask a doctor about side effects, they rarely admit it.
I used to be on Warfarin which thinned my hair but since being put on Apixaban I still loose hair but possibly not as much but my hair is short! And I’m older than you! But I think I would rather be on Warfarin again as the other side effects are worse for me! Hope you get sorted.
There are many causes of hair loss.......lowering estrogen is a biggie for women which is why post menopause often causes thinner hair. (Might be your GPs go to arguement of 'as we age hair thins') Hypothyroidism, underactive thyroid is another one. Betablockers may reduce the rate of conversion of thyroid hormones so may have the same effect. Being vitamin deficient may also affect hair. Etc.... So if it were me Id consider hair loss on a wider spectrum as well as wisely considering the medication you are taking. Apologies if you are already doing this!!
Thanks waveylines...I had a hysterectomy at age 39 so was on HRT for 15 years and had fabulous hair then. I am thinking maybe hereditary now as my mum's hair thinned in the same way, at the front and sides. Taking a magnesium supplement and using some fab hair treatments so will see if things improve. Going to try and cut down on the stress too 🙃
Since i started taking apixaban my hair has thinned my finger nails have gone brittle also I've noticed that my complexion has changed it's not worth wasting your time bringing it up with the Dr's, i asked for a review 9 months ago and still waiting
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Xarelto and thinning hair!!
Hair loss
Is anyone on warfarin losing their hair ? 
Beta blockers/ hair loss 
