Hair Loss on Warfarin

[Julie_O]

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,

[Suebo2 Moderator]

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.

[Julie_O in reply to Suebo2]

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

[Suebo2 Moderator in reply to Julie_O]

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. 🍾😘

[Pefki in reply to Suebo2]

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.

[Julie_O in reply to Pefki]

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

[Suebo2 Moderator in reply to Pefki]

warfarin is part of a group of drugs called ‘vitamin K antagonists’ and any drug in that group can be prescribed for valves

[Julie_O in reply to Suebo2]

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

[Suebo2 Moderator in reply to Julie_O]

Good luck.

[Tarsius]

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.

[MazzyB]

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.

[Julie_O]

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!

[Mord74 in reply to Julie_O]

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