Hair Loss Caused by Amiodarone and/or Apixaban

[Ruza2020]

Hi.

My hair has been falling out a lot more than normal since I have been on Amiodarone and Apixaban.

I just wander if anyone else has or had similar problem who are taking this medication.

Thanks.

By the way, I am a woman.

[Cos56]

I hope not! I haven’t heard that…yet 😮

[BobD Volunteer]

There have been a few people (not many) who think antioagulants can cause hair loss so if you want to bame something go for the apixaban . It is a very individual thing and quite random. I have been on warfarin for 16+years and still have a full head of hair but I do know my nails became slightly brittle when I started.

[Ruza2020 in reply to BobD]

Thanks Bob. Is there any particular reason you have chosen Warfarin instead of Apixaban?

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Ruza2020]

When my journey started DOACs did not exist and if it aint broke don't fix it is my motto. Warfarin has been in regular use since the 1940s (Eisenhower was one of the first famous people to take it.)

[Ruza2020 in reply to BobD]

Wow! Since 1940. By now they must have tons of information on Warfarin... For some reason, the new blood thinners, such as apixaban, are more likely to be prescribed by cardiologists and electrophysiologists these days. I despise taking any medication. Every time I put Amiodarone and Apixaban in my mouth I feel as if I am ingesting potent poison😲... but have no option but to take it every day.

[Hidden in reply to Ruza2020]

No option? Beta blockers did not work? High CHADs score?

[Maggimunro in reply to Ruza2020]

Sorry to say this but Amiodarone is a relatively old drug , so it is much cheaper , hence it is often prescribed. However, you do have options. Ask for one of the more modern alternatives that don’t have the horrendous side effects that amiodarone can cause. My brother has been left with permanent lung damage after taking Amiodarone, so I would question why you are on that drug.

[Desanthony]

Neither cause hair loss for me.

[Ruza2020 in reply to Desanthony]

Thanks Desanthony.

[Finvola]

I have been taking Apixaban for eight years and have a constant snowstorm of hair. Most of the hairs look like break-offs rather than full hairs with roots.

A good style cut may help to minimise breakages.

[Ruza2020 in reply to Finvola]

Thank you Finola. I don't understand. Are you saying you have thick hair, it just keep breaking?

[Finvola in reply to Ruza2020]

My hair has always been fine and fly-away but there seems to be the same amount of strands, they just constantly break.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Finvola]

Just like my finger nails!

[Wum1t1gs2s]

My hair has become thin since taking apixaban , also my finger nails are splitting and slow growing.

[Ruza2020 in reply to Wum1t1gs2s]

Thanks for sharing Wum1t1gs2s.

[Hidden]

Hi Rusa, Yes unfortunately me too. It is a well known side effect for some people. It’s thinned my hair a lot but as was suggested in the side effects list, it does seem to have slowed now. Also I am a 73 year old woman who might well have some hair thinning anyway at my age. I think that if this is distressing you, you should ask your doctor what alternative might suit you better.

[Ruza2020 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for sharing Callendersgal

[Suesouth]

Hi, I’m having the same problem with Bisoprolol and rivaroxoban, comes out in handfuls!

[Ruza2020 in reply to Suesouth]

Thanks for sharing Suesouth. Oh, my goodness... that is scary, isn't it... It is unfortunate that we have to take such toxic stuff...

[Suesouth in reply to Ruza2020]

Yeah, my hair is shoulder length at the moment, but thinking oh going short!

[Sacha27]

I have all this and more, my hair comes out every day it used to be thick now it’s very thin. I am in the process of trying some hair loss treatment shampoos. They are not doing much at the moment. I will let you know if I find a good one. They are out there!

[Camille777]

I've never heard that blood thinners cause hair loss. It could be any drug that affects the heart rhythm. I take metoprolol & the side-effects are horrible. I cry every day about my hair loss & weight gain. 😪

[Megams in reply to Camille777]

~Sending warm virtual hugs Camille777 - must say since switched to Metoprolol this year + Rivaroxaban I have struggled tremendously with side effects - developed a tummy too when I am so careful what goes in my mouth - guess the meds slows everything down - take good care.

[Spinners in reply to Megams]

My tum bloated to a huge size and I gained 6 lbs within a couple of days of changing to Verapamil. Also have difficulties with weight gain as I feel whoozy if I don't eat often enough and so I snack more frequently than before. Slimming eating plans are very difficult to maintain as I don't eat often enough.

[exmouth]

Hi I’m the same age as you and take Apixaban and Bisopolol but I haven’t noticed any hair loss In fact I’ve got a mop that needs cutting every three weeks lol I’ve been on them for about two years also Keep safe

[opal11uk]

I blame all blood thinners for this, having been on them now for over 2- years, my hair has thinned, I am now losing teeth, either breaking or falling out and I blame this beggars, my thinking is that due to the thinness of the blood the nourishment is just not there. I was on Warfarin for many years changing over to Pradaxa about 4 yeas ago.

[Ducky2003 in reply to opal11uk]

They dont thin the blood, they just interfere with the clotting process. I would imagine its a chemical in the tablets.

[Megams in reply to opal11uk]

~That's interesting opal11uk - I do wonder why your teeth are suffering?After I brush (with sensitive Braun head) I do oil pulling which is supposed to help gums + any bacteria lurking in mouth - I do all I can to keep my teeth the best I can ~

[opal11uk in reply to Megams]

Same here, regular dental checkups, good dental hygiene and lovely well looked after set but my teeth seemed weakened, of course my age doesnt help as nearly 80 so should be grateful I have teeth I guess lol.

[Megams in reply to opal11uk]

~I commend you on your care of your teeth - well done. I have an awesome hygienist I consult every 4 months - she is thorough & worth her weight in gold - if I ever reach 80 I hope I still have ALL my teeth :):)

[belindalore in reply to opal11uk]

Some medications keep the body from absorbing the nutrients in food. Metoprolol is especially one that does. It can leech calcium from the bones. I have also read that apixaban (called Eliquis in the USA) can cause thinning of the hair. There are websites you can go to for side effects of drugs and interactions between different drugs. One is drugs.com. Everyone is different. What bothers one person may not bother the other. Hope you find a solution. Take care and be safe.

[Megams in reply to belindalore]

~Maybe this is a good enough reason for me to seriously revisit ablation as coming up 7 years Jan/Feb 2022 on steroids for PMR & presently on Metoprolol for paf. Added to the mix I have lived with gut/intestional malabsorption issues for so long - thanks for the heads up belindalore - got some hunting to do with the site you have mentioned.

[belindalore in reply to Megams]

Hope you find something that helps. Take care.

[Ducky2003]

Same tablets, same problem, although I've been on the tablets for about 5 years but it's only been noticeable in the last 6 months. Having some success with Plantur 39 but will look into some vitamin supplements.

[Ruza2020 in reply to Ducky2003]

Hi Ducky2003 - are you taking Amiodarone as well as Apixaban - and what is your dosage? I am on lower dose - 100 mg Amiodarone once a day, and 5 mg Apixaban twice a day. It still gives me tremendous amount of other side effects as well - lots of diegestion issues...

[Ducky2003 in reply to Ruza2020]

I'm on 200mg Amiodarone per day and 2x 5mg Apixaban. Only other side effect I'm aware of is corneal deposits but hopefully, they will go when I eventually stop taking it. The Amiodarone doesn't seem to be doing much at the moment so I have questioned continuing to take it.

[Mrsvemb]

I have been on anticoagulants for about 7 years and for me, they all cause hair loss. I have had all of the DOAC’s and Warfarin and they all cause hair loss. Currently, I am on Apixaban.

This doesn’t seem to be a problem for everyone, just the unlucky few. During this time I have tried just about every shampoo and lotion out there spending a lot of Money in the process all to no avail.

I have a very supportive hairdresser who cuts my hair to cover the problem. He says shampoos etc will not make any difference, it has to come from within.

[Nan1]

Morning. Yes definitely have hair loss since starting Apixiban last June. Hoping it will settle in time

[Ruza2020 in reply to Nan1]

Thanks for sharing Nan1. I sure hope you have better luck with Apixaban.

[smn100]

I use a collagen supplement it really helps my hair and nails.There's always side effects of some sort with meds

[Figbar in reply to smn100]

Would you let us know the name/type of collagen?

Also, I’m wondering if someone can help me find a post that I read and now “ lost”.

It was posted four months ago I believe.

The author listed supplements she/he found helpful for fib-and stated it would take 8-10 months before improvement noted.

I meant to ask if the author was taking meds. During that 8-10 month period?

And I had hoped to find the post again ( I failed) and copy the supplement list.

Thank you,

HAPPY THANKSGIVING❤️

[smn100 in reply to Figbar]

I use Naara

[Figbar in reply to smn100]

Thank you!!

[Ruza2020 in reply to Figbar]

Thanks. Those bars look delicious. I will order some.

[Nannysue1]

I've been on both apixaban and amioderone for 7 years and have to have my hair thinned out fairly regularly, so luckily havent had the same problem.

[Ruza2020 in reply to Nannysue1]

Thanks Nannysue1. May I ask what dosage is you Apixaban and Amiodarone? Also, do you have other, more serious, health problems caused by amiodarone? My cardeologist is concerned amiodarone might damage my thyroid, lungs and liver. So I get blood work done every three months, and he wants me to have chest x ray every six months...

[malins]

Hi, I too am a warfarin girl (like Bob if it ain't broke don't fix it) which hasn't had much affect on my hair but I can comment on Amiodarone which I took for about 12 months around 4 or 5 years ago and I asked to stop it because of my hair loss! No other medications were changed at the time and since stopping it hair back to the way it was. Don't misunderstand I don't mean my hair is perfect but compared to those 12 months it's so much better.

[Ruza2020 in reply to malins]

Hi Malins. May I ask what do you take in place of Amiodarone.

[malins in reply to Ruza2020]

Back on digoxin which they took me off but had to 'give' it back when the Amiodarone was stopped. Personally I have always been ok with digoxin.

[Redders]

Hi, yes I’ve been on apixaban for a couple of years now and my hair is terrible now. Coming out in handfuls and has gone very frizzy.

[Tapanac in reply to Redders]

Yes same here, loss and looking like a perm gone frizzy wrong

[Ruza2020 in reply to Redders]

How horrible, and sad it is, to see such transformation, isn't it...

[Mittzy]

I was on both Amiodarone and Apixaban when my hair started falling out. I was really distressed about it. I really can understand how you feel.

My GP said it was likely to be the Amiodarone and stopped it after calling the cardiologist. After that my hair started coming back and after three years it’s the same as it always was. I am still on apixoban.

I would be more likely to say that Amiodarone is the likely culprit, it’s a very rare side effect but does happen. Hope your GP can help.

[Ruza2020 in reply to Mittzy]

Thanks Mittzy. So you do not take any Antiarrhythmic medication right now, do you? People who have had successful ablation are taken off of such toxic drug (amiodarone).

[Mittzy in reply to Ruza2020]

See below Ruza. I have just given Nanny Sue the full story. I hope you get sorted out.

[Nannysue1 in reply to Mittzy]

Can I ask what you replaced the amioderone with?

[Mittzy in reply to Nannysue1]

Nothing as it was only meant to be temporary. I have PAF and CHF. A recent echo showed EF rate of 55 and all well on the left side but the right is slightly enlarged with a small leak in the valve. I have also been for a test for COPD and am already asthmatic. I have never smoked, just the way it is sometimes! I am on Digoxin, Apixoban, Bisoprolol (which is starting to affect my asthma) Furosomide, Sprionlactone and asthma meds. Am waiting to see consultant after the COPD test and he says my meds may need to be be adjusted. A bout of pneumonia five years ago damaged my heart. Sometimes I do let all this get me down but just try to do my best and rest when I get really tired. Happy Days!

[Nannysue1 in reply to Mittzy]

Wow that's a whole lot to deal with. 😥

[SingingT]

Yes, my hair has thinned. Not sure if it’s the Apixaban or Sotalol or………age! I think the blurb in the Apixaban package mentions thinning hair as a side effect.

[2018NSR]

Hair loss is a common complaint when on these meds. Drs will deny it but those of us taking them know. In my case I know it was the blood thinner as I was not on anything else and started xarelto and within three weeks started loosing hair. After I had the mini maze and stopped blood thinners I had new hair growth within three weeks! Best wishes.

[Ruza2020 in reply to 2018NSR]

You are so right 2018NSR.

[Camille777]

I've never heard of blood thinners causing hair loss, but it's well documented that beta-blockers cause it. But now I'm even more depressed because I take both.

[doodles640]

I have been on Eliquis about a year now and my hair has been falling out much more and is now really thin. I am a 77 year old woman - and am very concerned about the hair loss.

[Dee5165 in reply to doodles640]

I agree with you and my hair loss is coming from the roots of my long hair!

[polopblue]

The only side effect I have from Apixaban is constipation, otherwise no problems.

[LaceyLady]

It is Apixaba, I have lost about a 1/3 of my hair since July. It disrupts the shedding process.

[LaceyLady]

If you look on my 'profile' you might find my post about 'Hair loss' and Apixaban. What I see is, the alternatives may cause it too and this is why I haven't as yet changed to another anticoagulant. I have mid length hair. I have seen an answer to my post for gents, one gent had patches around his head:(( Very distressing. I have been considering cinnamon supplement for anticoagulation.

[Tapanac]

Yes I've been on Apixaban for just over a year. Rivaroxaban before then. Rivaroxaban caused me to have constant UTI flare ups, so was changed to Apixaban and that area fine now, (touch wood), but my hair is coming out in handfuls. I even find loads of it in my carpet sweeper so not only in my hairbrush.

I've also found that my teeth are suffering in that although I brush them now after every meal rather than just night and morning, they are getting brown marks on them. However maybe as I had a fall and 2 operations on my leg I have been on iron tablets and antibiotics since beginning of July so not sure if they have anything to do with my teeth.

I've also found that I have put on weight, but with the handfuls of tablets to take......? Plus the inactivity of the brain tumour surgery and then the leg who knows???

I hope your hair settles down. I can see the little white root bits on the ends of my hair, so not just breaking off.

Good luck and here's hoping for thicker hair like we used to have.

By the way I did ask my GP what I could do and he did a blood test and I was low in zinc so he prescribed a couple of months and it didn't seem to be so bad. I finished them some time ago but he is reluctant to prescribe any more.

Best wishes

[Ruza2020 in reply to Tapanac]

Oh my goodness, Tapanac - your surgeries sound very serious and, I'm sure very difficult to endure. As for the brown spots on your teeth, I suspect the iron supplement is the culprit for that.

[Tapanac in reply to Ruza2020]

yes it does sound possible thank you

[Auriculaire]

I have been on Apixaban nearly 3 yeats. I have definitely noticed hair loss which started about 18 months ago. I have longish hair that I wear in a bun and when I gather it to twist it up it feels really thin though my husband says it doesn't look thin. But then he's not very good at rating appearances! Also my ring finger nails on each hand have always been poor with vertical ridges . Now the right one is splitting vertically .

[Ruza2020 in reply to Auriculaire]

I have same issues with my fingernails. My doctor thinks my protein intake is too low.

[Auriculaire in reply to Ruza2020]

That's interesting. I don't think that could be the case with me as I eat protein at nearly every meal - though not big quantities.

[ublong]

Yes, I am taking Eliquis and my hair has thinned considerably. I talked to my cardiologist and of course, all he could say was it isn’t listed under side effects! Is anyone on Xarelto and do they have this problem?

[GrannyE]

My hair was coming out in handfuls with warfarin but Apixaban is rather better but still get lots coming out. I shampoo with Nisim. It does not irritate my very sensitive scalp but is rather expensive. It is supposed to help prevent hair loss. It really is horrid but better than getting a stroke!

[Terricotta]

It might be worth having your albumin levels checked. This is important for proteins. Apixaban interferes with albumin production, so can reduce levels. Perhaps have a word with your doctor, if you are worried about it?

[Ruza2020 in reply to Terricotta]

Thank you Terricotta.