I have been on Apixaban, diltiazem (a calcium channel blocker) and Flecainide for AFIB. Initially I was on only the apixaban and diltiazem but they had no effect and my AFIB occurred much more frequently and was getting worse. My cardiologist then put me on Flecainide. That was in May 2023 and I’ve had no episodes since then! On the initial two drugs I was experiencing only very minor hair loss. I was beginning to be concerned but not terribly worried. However, once the doc added the flecainide, within a couple of weeks my hair loss increased so dramatically that my hair is now noticeably thinner and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down. About 4 weeks ago I stopped the apixaban since my AFIB has not been recurring. I thought that that might stop the hair loss, but it hasn’t. Any thoughts as to which drug is the main culprit and any alternatives that work as well as what I am doing? Or is hair loss going to be my side effect and I need to look at buying a wig? I know this sounds vain compared to what others are dealing with, but I just wondered if there is anyone out there who has had the same experience and who maybe has some suggestions. Thanks!!
Medication to treat AFIB and hair losss - British Heart Fou...
Medication to treat AFIB and hair losss
I wouldn’t advise stopping your anticoagulant medication because of stroke risk. I hope you are now taking this again as AF can occur, out of the blue and, also when you are asleep. As far as hair thinning goes yes, mine has gone thinner since taking the anticoagulant Warfarin and is a well known side effect of this drug. I cannot say which is which in your case, but would not advise stopping any medication until you have asked your GP. if it is safe to do so. The risks are too high.
Thank you for sharing! My GP has told me that IF the AFIB has completely stopped with the Flecainide it is safe to go off the anti coagulant, but as you state, it can occur and I might not notice. My cardiologist has agreed that since I’m not over weight, not hypertensive, not diabetic and moderately active and healthy otherwise, I’m not at high risk but still there’s some risk. He was willing to cut the apixaban dose in half. I’m in a bit of a quandary. Good to know others are able to deal with the hair loss.
Glad you have seen your GP but if was me l would never stop my anticoagulant. It is the most important of all the drugs for this condition. I think your GP might not be specialised in this situation so maybe you need a second opinion. I am surprised at your Cardiologist’s suggestions. When AF occurs the blood pools around the heart and forms into clots and causes a high risk of stroke. Even if you don’t get AF very often it’s still important never to stop. I don’t get it very often but have been told l will be on Warfarin for life. There is no cure for AF and it never goes unfortunately. It can rear its ugly head at anytime and that’s the reason we have to stay anticoagulant. I would be very scared not to take this and it would be like playing Russian Roulette. It is your decision.
Thank you for caring enough to respond. As a result of these different conversations, I have, today began back on the blood thinner at the dose the cardiologist prescribed. I guess I’ll have to learn to deal with the hair thinning!
Hello 
I have to 100% agree with everything Cavalierrubie has replied and hope you will take the medication till you have spoken to your Doctor or Consultant the risks are way to high not to take it till you have
Let us know how you get on x
Thank you for taking the time to respond! I appreciate it.
I’ve decided to go back on the apixaban, 1/2 dose, as the cardiologist recommended. Appreciate the advice and sharing.
Hello
I am really pleased you have decided to do that and I do understand how distressing the hair loss is but this is something you can talk to the Cardiologist about and see i they know which tablet is causing it and if there is an alternative without risking your health
I hope there is a solution that helps with your hair at the same time as you been physically protected to x
Thank you! Trust you are able to enjoy good health as well! 🤗
Mine could be better if I could cope with my anxiety but thank you x
I think most of us with AFIB deal with the anxiety which seems to aggravate the issue! Not sure what the answer is. I’m trying to learn to relax and trust... haven’t got there yet! Hoping we both can! 🙏
Hello
I do not have AFIB I had 3 heart attacks followed by a triple Bypass but I still live in fear even 2 years on the slightest sensation and I get so anxious
I think for some any heart related condition can make them anxious but somehow we have to work through it I am still trying but if I find out how then I will let you know x
I too had dreadful hair loss on warfarin and since being on Apixaban it is better but I am on it for life. I have now been put on 2.5 twice daily but that is because I have passed the dreaded 80 mark and am well under 8stone. Still too much hair loss but am resigned to having to live with it.
Yes very bad hair loss my brush has more than me and shower trap is scary after couple days !! I am on apixaban also bisopralol for my AF statins for my cholesterol I never read the leaflets in the box until I started feeling unwell in case I imagined things, but I then looked and low and behold hair loss, weight gain, depression, tiredness, insomnia bad leg cramps aching joints !!!!! I also thought about a wig my friend has a really good one but says it’s hot( don’t stop the Apixaban without doctors advice)
Thank you for sharing that you too have been experiencing this. Don’t feel quite as “alone”. I have spoken to my GP and he too said it’s risky to stop the apixaban, but if the AFIB has truly stopped it’s okay. My cardiologist was willing for me to take 1/2 the dose….will rethink this!
I suffered hair loss on Apixaban. I got Alpecin for men, yes I was advised by a friend. I used it and I think it helped. Still taking the Apixaban, not happy with it but 🤷🏼♀️
I’m already a ‘bleeder’ without it 😤
On Dronedarone I’ve had to halve dose as that drug cam make it’s affects worse !
Thank you. I will look into the Alpecin….I too seem to bruise very easily without any thinners and wonder if that’s partly why the thinner affects me this way. My cardiologist also suggested we could cut the Flecainide in half. I’m afraid to do that in the even the AFIB returns. Did cutting the Dronedarone in half keep the AFIB under control?
Sorry I wrote confusingly, I cut the Apixaban in half because the Dronedarone increases it’s effect 😵💫
I was always a bleeder before anticoagulants, and confusingly that all seemed to stop when I was started on Rivaroxaban. I didn't like that so changed to Edoxaban, then Apixaban, but both of those upset my stomach badly, so back to Rivaroxaban.I had a brief time, after trying the other two, when I was happy not to take an anticoagulant because of my history of excessive bleeding. I had an episode of afib, bad enough to have to go to A&E. While I was there the doctor did a blood test to check on my clotting, along with the 2nd troponin test. He told me that I was borderline for a clot and if I'd had any indications of a clot he would not have discharged me.
With regard to your hair loss I would agree to ask a professional, maybe a clinical pharmacist ad they are often more readily available than a doctor, but I would also ask if you have had your thyroid function checked lately as this is known to affect your hair.
If you try Alpecin shampoo and it doesn't suit you I would suggest trying Redken "volume injection" shampoo. It is a bit pricy but lasts ages, available online if there isn't a Redken hair salon in your area.
Thank you for responding! I will see about the shampoo you mentioned. My thyroid is apparently okay, but good thought. And I did speak briefly to my pharmacist but he didn’t seem to have much info. Both he and the doctor acted surprised that once on the three meds I was losing my hair.
Have a lovely day!
I hope you manage to get some answers. I often find the clinical pharmacist attached to the surgery very helpful as they have access to your notes but a pharmacist that dispenses medication is knowledgable but doesn't have acceds to your notes. Good luck with it all
Unfortunately cannot use any shampoo with SLS. It makes my whole head burn. I use NISIM which does not have that in it.
I'm glad you have something that you can use. I have no idea what's in the shampoo I have, waiting for cataract surgery so I haven't a hope of reading the print on it.Redken used to be very pure 50 years ago when I first encountered it, but like everything else they brought out new "improved" stuff which isn't a patch on what's gone before.
Unfortunately ‘new and improved’ often isn’t. Unfortunately Redkin has SLS. I checked. They use it for the liquid to get closer to the hair.
Thank you. I think I must have a 'new and improved' me because I don"t function half as well as I used to.
The aging process, combined with heart issues, certainly has its challenges! 🤗
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