Hi all, I don’t post very often. I’ve been taking warfarin since February 2021 after having two mechanical valves fitted.
I know that I will need to see my doctor about this, but I am losing my hair, and it’s noticeable now, especially at the front.
Does anyone else have this? What can be done to help? I’m a 52 year old female. It’s really getting noticeable now (even my husband agrees it’s thin so it must be noticeable.
Thanks in anticipation,
dear Julie, hair loss is a side effect of warfarin. But warfarin is not the only vitamin K antagonist that is available, merely the most common. If you change your tablet to acenocoumarol for example, you may find that it suits you better. It is managed in the same way as warfarin, but is a little stronger , so might need less in terms of mgs (? 3 in lieu of 4??)
Have a word with your GP.
Good luck.
Hi there,
Am I allowed anything other than warfarin? I have two mechanical valves and I was led to believe that I am only suited to warfarin because of this. Is it available in the uk please?
Thanks
Julie, warfarin is in a group of drugs called ‘vitamin K antagonists’ and warfarin is not the only one in the group. Acenocoumarol is available in the Uk. Speak to your GP. I’m more than happy to chat if that helps. I am a nurse specialist in Anticoagulation Please speak to your GP take care. 🍾😘
I am under the impression that warfarin is the only approved anticoag for mechanical valves worldwide. All other anticoag that have been trialled to date, have been abandoned mid trial due to much higher risks of stroke. If warfarin caused some hair loss, it is an unfortunate side effect but an alternative drug could cause a much more serious problem which I would rather not think about. Quite often the more the think about something, the more it becomes a problem. May I suggest a new haircut could help. That's what I'm going to try.
Thank you. I know that there are two others I am able to take because of my metal valves. They are both vitamin k antagonists. Are the medicines you talk of vitamin K antagonists? Do you know what they are called? xxx
warfarin is part of a group of drugs called ‘vitamin K antagonists’ and any drug in that group can be prescribed for valves
I have been emailing my cardiologist about it, but his secretary is off sick so it’s hard to get an appointment come through . I would like to at least see if I feel better on them. I feel so sick too. All of the time. It’s no joke x
I lost a lot of body hair (I’m male 58) around the time of my valve replacements in 2021. Some of it has grown back slowly. The doctors I mentioned it to at the time put it down to my
Body diverting energy to healing (the valve replacements came after a nasty bout of sepsis and were followed by a fungal blood infection that caused a stroke, so it had quite a lot to heal from). Two years In it’s generally a little thinner and slower growing than it was but mostly back.
Hair loss is a side effect of Warfarin unfortunately but I bought a particular shampoo which has helped me. Pantene Expert Age Defy for fuller thicker hair. Hope you get sorted.
Hi everyone,
After some great advice on this thread, I have now been converted to Sinthrome. My GP refused to prescribe anything. I emailed my cardiologists secretary, and then my cardiologist emailed me back telling me his secretary is off sick. He said that he couldn't prescribe, and it had to be a haematologist. I asked for their details, but then, a few days after that email, I had a call from anti-coag clinic asking me to go in to be converted to Sinthrome. I am over the moon. I had to push a little, find the right person, but I think if they can see the reasons why you should be considered for a different vitamin k antagonist, then they will. The nausea isn't nearly as bad as it used to be. However, I suppose it it will take a few months to see any noticeable improvement in my hair-loss. I will keep you informed if you would like.....
Thank you
I don't think that it is right that people who can only take these types of drugs (Vitamin K Antagonists) are told that Warfarin is their only option. I only found out because someone told me on this thread. Unbelievable!
Hi, sorry you've been loosing your hair that must be so upsetting 
and glad youve managed to change drugs. I've recently started warfarin a month ago and I'm on 5mg at the moment have been on more some days and been told this is the only drug and will be for life which is really worrying me reading up about it.. This new deig they've prescribed do you still have your inr checks with it? Thank you
I had my mitral valve replacement in 2006, few months in Warfarui and then switch in Sintrom, accetumatorol.They are same, blood thinner (rat poisen) the difference is the time that they stay in you system.Warfarin stay longer and also take longer time to thin your blood.Sintrom is easier for me to adjust. I self check and self dosage since the operation.If the INR it's over 4 I eat some spinach and reduce my dosage, if it's below 2 I take heparin and increase my dosage, but the changes are rapidly. Thanks God I never had an issues.
Yes, I now take Sinthrome too. I also bought myself a machine to self test. The only thing is that the tablets are so small tgat they can’t be split. However, I am pleased to say that my hair is growing back. However since I have had my open heart surgery, I get extreme nausea and vomiting. I take that many tablets that I am not sure which medication is causing it.
Do you get nausea and vomiting too?
Hi Julie, my name is Jeremy & my wife is in a similar position like you, with having a mechanical valve installed and having to take warfrin for the rest of her life without the chance of coming off it like others get to. We've only been on this road for 6 months so we have many questions. Will she always lose her hair and will she eventually go bald since she can't get off of it ever? What did you do to stop the hair loss? Thank you
In your experience while being on Sinthrome, has it treated you any different than warfrin? Is it more expensive and can it be bought in the USA?
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