Hair loss is Bisoprolol or Apixaban?... - Atrial Fibrillati...

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Hair loss is Bisoprolol or Apixaban? the cause

Crumbling profile image
29 Replies

Hi all,

My hair has really started to fall out lately, I’m on 1.25 Bisoprolol and 5mg Apixaban x2. I’ve tried to do a bit of research but found it a bit contradictory, some saying it’s either one or the other some saying both tablets. My cardiologist has in the past offered me Nebivolol and I’m wondering if anyone has changed to this and found it better than Bisoprolol for hair loss.

I’m trying not to let it bother me too much but it’s really quite depressing as my hair is already very fine. Has anyone found a solution or have any handy hints, all would be gratefully received.

Thank you 😊

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Crumbling
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29 Replies
BobD profile image
BobDVolunteer

I think anticoagulants are usually the cause of hair loss from my reading posts since we started this forum. My hair is fine but my nails suffer becoming brittle and splitting easily (warfarin). Better thin hair than a stroke though.

Crumbling profile image
Crumbling in reply to BobD

Thank you, yes I won’t be tempted to stop my medication. My nails are very brittle too 🙁

pusillanimous profile image
pusillanimous in reply to Crumbling

I wonder if the brittle nails are caused by the anticoagulant? I take Xarelto and my fingernails are like weapons of war, they are so hard and fast growing, I have to use scissors designed for toenails to cut my fingernails. I do lose hair when I brush it, but I think the norm is 100 hairs a day, and I would say my loss is average.

Qualipop profile image
Qualipop in reply to Crumbling

Is your Vitamin D ok? Mine turned out to be too low to even measure. GP gave me massive doses and it made a huge difference to my hair and nails.

ozziebob profile image
ozziebob in reply to Qualipop

And what did it do for your AF and other inflammatory conditions? Any noticeable improvements?

Qualipop profile image
Qualipop in reply to ozziebob

I don't have AF, I have another arrhythmia but plenty of inflammatory conditions which were so much better. Really noticeable within about 3 days.

ozziebob profile image
ozziebob in reply to Qualipop

Great! I did notice your Bio didn't mention AF.

But please make sure you get regular Vitamin D blood tests to keep track of your blood level, as too much can be as bad as too little. I rose from a deficiency of 22 nmol/L to my latest 142 nmol/L, and my AF events have been significantly reduced in frequency (as I describe in a PS. in my Bio).

Qualipop profile image
Qualipop in reply to ozziebob

As I've had a heart attack, my GP does annual blood tests for pretty much everything but thanks. This year I just needed a normal top up dose.

lynwest profile image
lynwest

I have various illnesses, including AF, but I experienced hair loss when I was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. The Consultant asked my Doctor to give me Madopar ( Brand), but he gave me Co-beneldopa (Generic equivalent}. My hair started falling out in 10 days and I had to get a wig. When I was switched to Madopar (Brand} my hair started coming back slowly and it's taken 2 years to fully recover. Apixaban is a Generic and the Brand is Eliquis. Maybe you should ask to be put on Eliquis.

Hope this helps.

Lynwest

Crumbling profile image
Crumbling in reply to lynwest

Thank you, I am going to investigate further. I do think the brand can make a difference.

Buffafly profile image
Buffafly

I have concluded that my hair is not falling out but breaking easily. So it needs very gentle care and of course no chemicals. It’s the Apixaban btw and the brand sadly does the same.

Crumbling profile image
Crumbling in reply to Buffafly

Thank you Buffafly, I’m wondering if it’s that with mine, I’m going to stop loading it with volumiser!

Finvola profile image
Finvola

I've taken Bisoprolol and am now taking Nebivolol and 'suffer' from hair breakage. At one time it was an embarrassment, so much was falling everywhere. I think the main culprit is Apixaban.

I followed advice from a poster on here as to how to handle fragile hair and mine still breaks but isn't as bad as it used to be.

Avoid harsh chemicals and heat - no dyes of any kind (unfortunately), no heated rollers or hot brushes and drier on low setting.

Don't towel rub wet hair - just wrap in a towel for 10 minutes after washing.

I'll have a look for the post I'm thinking of and post a link if I find it.

Forgot to say - trim often and keep in a shorter style.

Crumbling profile image
Crumbling in reply to Finvola

Thank you Finvola, that’s exactly what my hairdresser told me yesterday, she said I must treat my hair very gently, I tend to load on products for volume but she said it’s really damaging it. Hopefully I can hang on to what I’ve got!

By the way are you okay with the Nebivolol, I’ve read it can be better than Bisoprolol which I found very draining, although not so bad on this low dose.

Finvola profile image
Finvola in reply to Crumbling

I gave up on volume-enhancing products and decided to treat what remained with TLC - it seems to work (sort of).

Regarding Nebivolol, it was a life-changer for me as Bisoprolol even at the lowest dose had turned me into a zombie with breathing difficulties and the inability to walk any distance. I have been taking 2.5mg Nebivolol for about 6 years and have got my energy back.

This is the interesting thread that I was talking about - as someone mentioned at the time - there is so much info, you need to take notes! Hope it helps.

healthunlocked.com/afassoci...

wilsond profile image
wilsond

I found using dry shampoo helped. Alternatively wash with baby shampoo,then dry .Apixaban 5mg x 2 and bisoprolol 1.25.

I also get creative with hairdos,and also headbands

reinaway profile image
reinaway

Yes I found when I was put on Apixiban I lost hair for about 3 months but then it settled down and now very little loss. The hair texture has changed and it finer and less resilient than it was. I changed from Bisoprolol to Nebivolol when I was on beta blockers and found it much gentler and kind to my system. I don't really need it now as I had the Pace and Ablate procedure and am off all AF drugs except anticoagulant and blood pressure ones and no discernable AF anymore thank goodness.

Prince123456 profile image
Prince123456

Hi, I wouldn’t of thought Bisoprolol would cause hair loss but if you’ve been offered Nebivalol in replacement for Bisoprolol I would 100% go for Nebivalol because it’s a much better cardio selective med, Bisoprolol is the cheaper option this is why they usually start Patients on it.

mrdarcy1 profile image
mrdarcy1

Hi Crumbling, I've a few medical conditions and find this site amazing not just for the heart issues as I don't have a issue with my heart. You guys actually help me looking after my heart. If that makes sense. 😁I have noticed my hair loss with the Apixaban, (2x5mg/day) for sure. I don't take Bisoprolol or anything like that. So I hope.that helps.

I read this site every day and it's all you guys that make it so informative, so thanks.

🙏😁

southkorea profile image
southkorea

I am

On on both tablets and my hair is

Ok. Try taking Biotin daily! It works.

JOY2THEWORLD49 profile image
JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply to southkorea

Hi

Um side effects.

Big note any blood tests will be much higher or lower than they should be.

Biotin the natural way.

Organ meats, eggs, banana, seafood, etc. Read all about it. 1 place says niotin is Vit H and another says it is in the B Vit family.

I don't towel hair dry or put the comb through it. I use Australian natural .. shampoo and put Mongolian oil on it to finish. Makes the hair bright and a solid colour.

I'll get back with the names.

cherio JOY. 75. (NZ)

JOY2THEWORLD49 profile image
JOY2THEWORLD49

Hi

I'm on 2.5mg Bisoprolol.

I have thick hair. There does seem to be greys left on a polyester pillow case but not om cotton.

Not sure. I also take synthroid for replacement thyroid hormones.

Bisoprolol

Pradaxa x twice a day

I guess massaging your scalp might help.

cherio Joy. 75. (NZ)

ibuputih profile image
ibuputih

Hi - I am on Edoxaban and Bisoprolol and have noticed much more hair in the brush and hair drop. I’m sure it’s thinner on top, especially around parting - I have very fine hair.

My hairdresser is great and has basically said she thinks it’s just aging. They have a clever magnifying thing there to inspect your scalp and she confirmed that there is normal re-growth and no obvious balding pattern. Whatever - I have noticed a marked difference in my hair since taking the anti coagulant.

I have tried all sorts of shampoos etc but the one that works for me is Ouai shampoo for fine hair and their leave-in fine hair conditioner. It’s pricey but smells divine and in a life time of floppy fine hair, it’s the first shampoo/conditioner that has made it almost bouncy without product.

Someone on this forum recently mentioned the use of rosemary for post chemo hair loss. I have also recently been using the rosemary-based Weleda Hair Tonic which gets good reviews. I spray and then massage it in. It isn’t oily or claggy so no build-up. Too early to tell if it is encouraging growth, but it certainly has a ‘bulking effect’.

Tiff1 profile image
Tiff1

I had the same problem with hair loss or breakage a couple of years ago when I changed to Apixaban.

Hair in the sink, blocked the shower and filled the hair brush.Also my nails became brittle and were continuously breaking as well .

I had been on Bisoprolol for many years with out an issue so I suspected the blood thinners I cut down washing to once a week and was very gentle when drying it. I started using products designed to help this problem.

I am happy to say that (18 months later)my hair loss and breakage and my nails have now recovered somewhat, so maybe it was just a reaction to the blood thinners .

Try going gently on your hair for a while and hopefully it will get back to normal for you soon.

Broseley profile image
Broseley

Hi, I have the same problems. My hair used to be very thick and wavy. Now I've lost so much, it's really thin and I'm left with fine, much more curly hair which has no weight to it. I can brush it, then a slight breeze will make it look totally unbrushed. I use Elvive oil which helps until I brush it. I've tried various conditioners, mousse, creams etc. They just make my hair look wet until I brush them out. Same as above with the shower plug blocking up. I only wash once a week, use no hair dryer and just towel wrap.

I always thought this was old age, but looking back it did start when I was put on apixaban, then edoxaban. I'd love to find a solution!

Bingofox007 profile image
Bingofox007

edoxaban has made my hair so thin and brittle. 🦊x

Singwell profile image
Singwell

You might try a good quality collagen supplement. I also second vit D3 plus B12, zinc, magnesium and selenium. I initially felt my hair was thinning in Apixaban but once I started taking supplementa regularly it recovered well. Avoiding products is good although I do personally use a very light Argan oil spray on mine before combing out - something recommended by another forum member. Another tip I learned from my.hairdresser - never rub with a towel- only gently squeeze. And to start the disentangle process use your fingers only. This, plus the oil makes it so much easier. And never dry it on.highest heat setting- medium heat only. If you invest in a ceramic brush for styling it also means less heat in your hair overall - the heat transfers through the brush whether your hairdryer is above or below.

Jetcat profile image
Jetcat

hi crumbling. Iv been low on hair for years so I can’t blame it on my meds. But my fingernails are in great shape and I’m talking 11.25 mg bisoprolol and riveroxaban daily. hair loss can be down to many things, but I would mention it to your GP just incase this could be the cause.👍

Crumbling profile image
Crumbling

Thank you so much everyone, I’ll definitely be investigating the various recommendations and treating my hair more kindly.

I’m very reticent about taking any tablets, vitamins etc as I already take Levothyroxine, Olmesartan, Lercanidipine, Atorvastatin, Bisoprolol and Apixaban!!

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