Flecainide and hair loss

[Electricblue1]

Hi everyone, my doctor said it’s the flecainide that’s causing the hair loss . It’s coming out a lot now and am worried as when I asked a pharmacist he said it will carry on as long as I’m on flecainide. Trying hair supplements but no good. Doc can’t give me anything as they contain ingredient that affects the heart. Doc also said there is no alternative to flecainide so I guess I’m a bit limited. Any advice or tips will be helpful.

[Camille777]

I shouldn't reply because I am so bitter about his issue. I don't know that drug, but if it's a beta-blocker, they all have 2 attractive side effects - hair loss and weight gain.

[Hidden in reply to Camille777]

I have taken Sotalol for 3 years without hair loss or weight gain. These things are not inevitable ; it depends on the individual, dose taken and so on.

[Auriculaire in reply to Hidden]

Perhaps these side effects happen more in women. I have found on this forum that women report more side effects than men. Many beta blockers have been around a long time- before the time when clinical trials were not mandated to include women. It is usually at the time of clinical trials that standard dosage recommendations are made. As a result women are being overdosed on certain drugs. Even now there is no requirement for breakdown and reporting of adverse effects by sex and this is usually not done. Throughout medicine it is the male body that is the standard and apart from gynaecology very little notice is taken of different female physiology. One of the worst examples of this is the different presentation of heart attack in women. This leads to some women being sent home from A&E having been told they are suffering from indigestion or anxiety - sent home to die.

[Camille777 in reply to Hidden]

I think Sotalol is one of those unique drugs that is a beta-blocker & an antiarrhythmic. I haven't done much research into it because it can't be taken with heart failure which I also have now. Hearing that it doesn't have those awful side effects makes me happy for you.

[CDreamer in reply to Camille777]

The original post was about Flecainide which is an anti-arrythmia not a beta blocker.

[Hidden]

Sotalol is an alternative medication, but I cannot say whether it would be appropriate in your particular case.

[barbharris1937]

I was on a high dose of flecainide for years and didnt have any hair loss so i think you are just[!] very unfortunate. Hope all goes well.

[SuziElley]

I wasn’t aware Flecainide is a beta blocker. I thought it was for arrhythmia……… Been on it a few months and no problems here.

[Buffafly in reply to SuziElley]

You’re right

[CDreamer in reply to SuziElley]

Flecainide is not a beta blocker.

[Electricblue1 in reply to CDreamer]

Hello, yes I know , just saying how flecainide and bisoprolol has made me feel.

[pip_pip]

Flecainide is not a beta blocker. Its serious stuff. However there is a sister drug, propofenone which you might look at.

Phil

[Electricblue1 in reply to pip_pip]

Thank you, I will look into it.

[Cavalierrubie]

I take Warfarin as my anticoagulant. It has made my hair go very thin but I was warned. I read a tip in a woman's magazine to mix bicarbonate of soda to a paste (with water) then add some shampoo. Wash your hair and leave it on for couple of minutes. Rinse as usual. I am currently trying this so cannot confirm results. Everything is worth a try. However, I would rather have thin hair (or wear a wig) rather than have a stroke. It is not at all nice for a woman to lose her hair but thank God you are still here to be concerned. You take care.

[Electricblue1 in reply to Cavalierrubie]

Hi , thank you for the reply, I’m trying castor oil and someone suggested peppermint oil as well.

[Cavalierrubie in reply to Electricblue1]

OK it's worth trying everything. I am using the bi-carb and the texture seems better already and only done it 2/3 times. Keep smiling on this journey. xx

[Electricblue1 in reply to Cavalierrubie]

Thank you, it’s hard because I’ve had the hair loss and memory problems as well , my eyes have been affected and all because of flecainide, it’s so frustrating. My cardiologist told me AFIB can’t be cured but I’m going to give an ablation a try and hope for the best.

[Cavalierrubie in reply to Electricblue1]

Prayers and well wishes to you on the path you take. We are all different but eventually we get on an even keel with this monster. Just keep reminding yourself that it is not life-threatening and although not curable it is treatable. You can still have a good quality of life. Don't let it define who you are. xx

[Snowgirl65]

I was on Flecainide for a few years and I too noticed hair loss, but not a lot -- could just have been age-related thinning hair, but my hair has always been thick so it really wasn't noticeable. It thickened up a bit when I came off the drug. But my biggest complaint with Flecainide was weight gain. Dieting only stopped me gaining, but never losing. I quickly dropped 23 lbs. when I went off the drug.

[Morzine]

thought my hair thinning was age...I’m on Flec now three years Sue