DVT - Eliquis - Hair Loss

[Brewmom]

Had COVID November of 2020. Still not all taste and smell back. Diagnosed with DVT January of 2021 and prescribed Eliquis for 6 months. Having extreme hair loss. My doctor thinks more COVID related but said I could choose to come off Eliquis now (which is three weeks short of 6 months) or finish course of treatment. Any thoughts as to Eliquis causing hair loss and coming off three weeks short of six months initial recommended treatment? Had many test for other health conditions and none found.

[Hidden]

I had terrible hair loss 3 months post-Covid; it appears to be normal after any high temperature. It lasted about 3 months, and then stopped, but my hair didn't grow for another 3 or 4 months - now it's back to normal, thankfully. Yours will be, too.

[Hidden]

Hi Brewman, I have age-related thinning hair and was quite worried myself about being prescribed Eliquis, which as you probably know can definitely have this side-effect, as can other anti-coagulants. In the event, although I am losing yet more hair, it's not of epic proportions and given that I'm taking Eliquis for the rest of my life now to help prevent stroke, I've come to the conclusion that I'd rather live with any hair loss and not have the stroke. In truth my hair loss, while not dramatic, has increased since starting this drug.But you appear to have been given the all-clear to stop your course of treatment with Eliquis early, i.e. now but in a rather vague way. Three weeks is almost a month early, and you don't appear to have been given any idea of the percentage of risk in finishing earlier than was planned. But the message seems to be that it's OK.

I can only put myself in your shoes. I think that, were it me, I'd just finish that course. I suspect that if your increased hair loss was caused by the Eliquis, once you do stop, so will the hair loss and hopefully regrowth will start. If it is covid related, then perhaps it won't. Sadly, who knows? We still don't have enough information available about covid to be able to say, categorically.

I do think that it's probably wisest to put health above vanity, horrible though it is to contemplate thin hair that might not improve. But that we can choose to live with. The alternative isn't so certain. Hope you manage to come to a conclusion you are happy with!

[Tofino5]

I haven't had unusual hair loss, nor have I seen hair loss listed as a side effect of it. I've been on Eliquis for 3 and a half years. Good luck!

[Emarho in reply to Tofino5]

My experience too. No more hair loss than usual. Normal for me.

[CH11]

Hi Brewmom,

I also notice hair thinning and I also now suffer from dry skin since taking Eliquis. GP isn’t too concerned and standard response ‘not a known side effect’. There is a reporting scheme through the gov website though, I guess the more people that report it vs how many people use Eliquis, depends if it becomes a known side effect.

Luckily, I have managed to control my hair loss & skin condition through vitamins and a moisturising routine. Hope that helps!

[Brewmom in reply to CH11]

Thanks for your reply. Glad you have been able to control it. May I ask what vitamins you found helpful? Thanks for you time.

[CH11 in reply to Brewmom]

No worries. I use something called hair jelly. It’ll be worth checking with your GP/pharmacy to make sure you can take it along side your Eliquis though.

[MazzyB]

I still have hair loss but not really that bad hope you get on ok.

[Asdan05]

Finish your course. Why risk dvt because of something COVID related?

[Hullensian]

Been on this drug for some years. I am suffering hair loss, but whether or not it is due to the drug I cannot say as I am 73 years of age and am told one starts to lose ones' hair at this age.

[Jerseylisa]

I have taken plavix for 10 years but my thinning hair started before that,, I’m linking my thinning hair to a blood pressure pill called Atenolol, I almost stopped taking it for good,,because my hair started coming back but my dr said I really need to keep taking it,, then I had a blood clot and they switched my plavix to Elaquis,, I think the shampoo might be helping also,, not 100% sure,,, it is called ( thick and full ) biotin & collagen shampoo it comes in a purple bottle with like yellow/gold lettering, honestly,, I truly beleive it is Atenolol, because when I started taking it when I was about 35 and from then on,, it got thinner and thinner only in the back,, but embarrassing,,, that’s when I backed off the blood pressure meds,, and used the shampoo, and it slowly gets thicker,, hopes this helps someone,, I just want my hair back,,