I was on Warfarin from 10/2011 until 5/2012. In Jan. or Feb. of 2012 my hair started coming out in big chuncks everytime I washed it. I stopped taking the medication in May of 2012 and about July or Aug.2012 my hair stopped coming out. In Jan. 2013 and for the second time I developed DVT's and a PE. I was put back on Warfarin and now have to remain on it for the rest of my life. On or about 4/2013 or 5/2013 my hair has started coming out again in big chuncks every time I wash it. Is this from the Warfarin and if so, is there anything I can do to slow it down or stop it all together. I am getting very desperate and am afraid. Please respond to my question!
Can Warfarin cause hair loss?
Question posted by Vicki Kowalewsky on 2 July 2013
Last updated on 8 March 2021
16 Answers
Official Answer by Drugs.com
2 July 2013
Alopecia (hair loss) has been reported with Warfarin. This side effect is rare.
https://www.drugs.com/sfx/warfarin-side-effects.html
Talk with your doctor. He /she may be able to suggest another medicine.
Meerkat
18 May 2017
Please read all this because blood clots can be deadly, I didnt take my decision lightly. I did a lot of research on my own into Chinese and Japanese medicine before I went off warfarin. I stopped taking warfarin 4 months ago because I know it caused major hair loss. What I didn't realize until I went off of it and I "woke up" was that warfarin had caused the major brain fog and short term memory impairment symptoms that had been very concerning to me for the past four years. I reported these symptoms to my Dr but he basically ignored what I was saying. All I can say is my head is Much clearer now and I hadn't ever considered that it was the warfarin causing brain fog. When I went off warfarin I began Chinese herbal blend to prevent blood stasis. I recommend you see a licensed Chinese herbalist or Dr. to get the right formula and dosing for you. I also take Drs Best brand Nattokinase Serrapeptase blend.
Contains enzymes of Japanese silkworms that dissolves the cocoon. As I recall, those enzymes dissolve dead protein tissues, so prevent clot or if clot forms it should dissolve it. The Chinese herbs to prevent blood stasis meaning keeps it moving so prevent clit that way. I recently had my prothrombin lab done and it came back normal range. So I'm sticking with natural Asian medicines. I'm not a Dr and by the way their MD does Not stand for major deity so don't let them be your expert. You are. So do your own research and Do get labs done. Personally I'd rather take herbal plant medicine than rat poison warfarin.
56ker60
2 June 2020
Yes it can cause hair loss. I was on Warfarin and my hair also fell out but it happened right before I was able to stop the medication. There is nothing that can be done about it but coming off warfarin. I don’t know if that would be enough of a side effect for you to require a different med. I know the other meds are ridiculously outrageous but your Dr’s nurse could find out for you. She would call a drug rep and if you have insurance a patient assistance card would probably be available. I have no idea what kind of deals they have going on now because I believe big pharma is out to get as much money out of people as they can before one of the newer blood thinners goes generic. Otherwise that’s all I have For you. I’m sorry about your hair.i I was about ready to buy a wig but stopped warfarin. I was in my early 20’s in the 70’s. Good luck
Bindiboo123
27 Dec 2019
Their gave me too much warfarin in the beginning so my hair started falling out. My beautician, who is my friend, gave me Cellagen Follicle Revitalize mediceuticals. You spray it on your roots after you wash your hair. Rub it in and it makes your hair grow. She uses it for some ladies that had cancer. It's really works. You can get at beauty supplies.
Cedonulli
21 July 2019
Im 65 and have been on warfarin for 30 years due to Oregon Health University misdiagnosing me as having a rare clotting disorder. My INR has always been very consistent and predictable. Last year my insurance would only pay for generic warfarin, not coumadin, and for the last 8 months or so my hair comes out in bunches, and Im becoming very thin on top. I read above about the same thing and wonder if its the case or coincidence for both of us? Considering going off warfarin and to another drug, or perhaps turmeric or other herbs. I have a portal vein stent as a result of a clot from injury so they want to keep me on warfarin for that but say Im stable and could probably go off it, but they then say warfarin will protect me from strokes (never had one) and I should consider it for that. They sure like to push the meds, don't they?
Healthyme72
4 May 2019
Warfarin does cause hair loss. I am taking warfarin for the past 18 years, I am 47 now and have had bi-lateral PE's twice and DVT's twice. I have to have my blood coagulated for life. I have noticed a huge difference in my hair over the last years. It has gotten so thin and I may as well be talking to the wall as talking to my local doctor about it. I do find it very depressing because a woman's hair is her crowning glory especially for me as I have always loved my hair. My hair is especially thin around the front of my head and there are now long 'wispy' hair strands that do not grow long anymore and I have very thin 'patches', almost see through in my hair. I read a response that said hair is not as important as your life and I understand that but for a woman to lose her hair or have it thin out so much is devastating.
I have always loved my curly locks, thankfully I still have enough hair that I can cover the thinner patches. Even going to the hairdressers is hard for me as my hairdresser always comments on how thin my hair has become, it is so very embarrassing. I have asked my Hematology consultant about it and I am moving to a new Doac anti-coagulant this month and coming away from warfarin after 18 years. I am really hopeful that my hair will improve over the coming months after coming off warfarin. It is true being on warfarin has saved my life but the side affect for a woman of losing her hair is very difficult to cope with.
Mwalimu
21 March 2018
I developed a bilateral DVT last year 11/5/2017 and was put on warfarin 12mg daily dose.l have had patches on my head too,l will console my doctor on 23/3/2018 and let you know more, Life is better than hair lose so let's not stop medics
Grammatita
18 May 2017
I believe this without a doubt. Wafarin is a blood thinner. I just started taking Plavix 8 days ago, also a blood thinner, and today a clump of my hair just easiely came out. After the rest of my hair dried I noticed that all of my hair has gotten thinner by about 50per cent. I couldn't believe it!!
Jasm1n3
3 Aug 2017
Hello my name is jasmine I am 13 years old I have had to take blood thinners since I was 14months old and I have to for the rest of my life ,I live a normal life and do lots of activity and have a healthy diet yet I have not experienced any hair loss (I take 4 and 4.5mg alternating each day )
Meerkat
30 Dec 2016
I too have experienced major hair loss which I reported to my Dr several times along with other significant side effects associated with warfarin and now I just found out all of these are associated with warfarin. Once again conventional western medicine fails!!! I'm pist because conventional Dr.s won't even acknowledge what may very well be causing significant problems simply because they don't want you to go off a med and they don't want to bother learning Anything! other than traditional pharmaceuticals. Quality of life matters too. And yes, obviously none of us wants another blood clot in our lungs or a stroke. But now I've been reading that being on warfarin increases your risk of bleeding strokes 5 x,s & increases in dementia. I've done my own research and will work with a Chinese acupuncturist / herbalist.
There are Chinese Herbal formulas for anti coagulation & there is medical research from Taiwan etc... Chinese medicine is very complex so very important to work with actual Chinese herbalist acupuncturists who have thousands of hours of training. Do not bother with traditional MDs who get a certificate from a couple hundred hours workshop, they are not steeped in understanding of Chinese medicine and it won't give you a representative healing experience.
Chinese medicine works to heal and rebalance the whole body/ energy system. I've switched off several meds onto Chinese herbs with successful results and no side effects. So I'm very hopeful that I will safely get off warfarin and feel better with herbs.
joycegreen2002
1 June 2016
I began taking Coumadin over 20 years ago (early 1996) following a heart valve replacement. With an artificial valve, other anti-clotting agents are not a healthy choice other than Lovenox shots when I must be off the Coumadin.
My thyroid was also diagnosed as underactive about 5 years later. I had mild hair loss on top and spoke to my pharmacist about it. (They know more about drug interactions than the doctors often do) He told me that it is one of the rare side effects of coumadin use. When I suggested the possibility that it might be from an underactive thyroid, which was at that point in the normal range with medication, the pharmacist said that thyroid medication would have cleared the problem if it were due to hypothyroidism. This is something I would need to learn to live with because Rogaine for women was out of the question; it can cause further heart problems. So I have lived with this for a long time now.
My scalp is a shiny bowl over the top of my head in most family photos. At work, I hated the fact that visitors would stare at my shiny scalp, so I started wearing wigs and, like the advertisement said, I never had another "bad hair day" when I wore the wigs. In hotter weather and when I wanted to look more natural, I purchased hair bangs attached to a hairband or hair pieces.
I feel prettier now. And when I feel like going natural, I just pull the front hair, what little there is of it left, back into a barrette or hair comb. Like the old bald guys that I used to laugh about because they grew hair in the only part of their head that would actually grow hair, I have let the back hair grow out really long. Now I can put it into french braids and chignons. It looks good from the back at least. It's a fact of growing older with heart problems. I have adjusted to it and manage to feel pretty when I fix my hair or wear my pretty wigs and hair pieces.
CDCBNYC
10 Nov 2015
Due to a change in my Rx benefits I had to switch from Coumadin (brand name) to generic warfarin. Several months after the switch my hair started falling out... I lost quite a bit of hair. After investigating a number of possible causes my doctor switched me back to brand name coumadin. The hair loss stopped and most of the hair that I lost has grown back. This was confusing to me as the generic is supposed to be the same formula as the brand name. I asked several doctors about this and was told that the active ingredients are the same but the inactive ingredients may not be. Clearly I was having a reaction to one of the inactive ingredients. One of the doctors I spoke to is a dermatologist who also told me that hair loss is a well documented side effect of warfarin. Ask your doctor about switching to a different manufacturer. It worked for me.
petsaremylove
15 Dec 2014
It sounds like you may be having an adverse reaction. With research - hair thinning or loss is a RARE side effect of Warfarin. You need to discuss with your doctor. Though there are risks to any medicine - what about Xarelto? You don't want clots but also don't want to be bald.
I have been on Warfarin since June 2009 and it has not affected my hair.
Heather G
14 Oct 2018
Hi, my sister got blood clots on both lungs from being on birth control to long. She took Coumadin for six months and didn't lose a hair on her hair, my mom took blood pressure meds, she didn't either. I wonder how that's possible. I'm wondering if age and not being post menapausal had anything to do with it. But my mom didn't either. I don't get it.
adslparts
15 Dec 2014
Yes. It does that in more people than not from my research.
James
Always freaking out
11 April 2016
Hi James. I agree. I have been on WARFARIN for 6 months & the last 2 months I have lost 3/4 of my long beautiful HAIR. It's still falling out fast! I'm angry! But now I feel deathly ill from it. Went off it ,it's now been 4 days, trying to get a new blood thinner so I don't get a clot from A-FIB. Will post more soon.
sherpy1
2 Dec 2016
Don't freak out. More importantly, don't go off your meds. Your life is truly more important than your hair. I've been taking warfarin for Chronic PE for ten years. Before warfarin I could only use the extra, extra large barrettes to keep all my hair in a ponytail. Years ago I began to notice brushfuls of hair falling out. Saying I'm concerned is an understatement. I too am online hoping to find something out there to help. But in the greater scheme of things, it is one of the prices we pay for survival. Don't mean to lecture. I started taking a few nutritional supplements involved in hair and skin health and brush my hair gently and regularly, hoping to stimulate blood supply. Aside from that, I keep hoping for that miracle cream to be discovered. Not the ones advertised on infomercials. I'm sure you know all that. Just didn't want you play around with your meds. The trade off is not worth it. Good luck!
56ker60
9 March 2021
I was on warfarin in the late 70’s for DVT. I did have some pretty good hairloss but it grew back once I was able to stop taking it. I am on it again for now chronic DVT and have been for a year with no hair loss at all. It is not recommended to stop as you could die from the complications of that. If I were to have hair loss I would most likely get a wig. There are a lot of affordable ones and I have bought a couple even tho my hair is not falling out. Kind of something fun in the BS of having to take it. Just don’t stop taking unless your dr says it’s ok. For chronic conditions it is probably life long use.
Sadra10
2 July 2014
I too am taking Warfarin and am experiencing extreme hair loss. I have lost half of my hair. Had I known this caused hair loss I would have asked for a different medication. I really feel for you as thick beautiful hair runs in my family. I usually have to have it cut and thinned out in the summer it's so heavy. Not anymore, I actually have bald spots now. I just ordered a shampoo that is supposed to prevent hair loss so we shall see. I am so glad you asked this question because now I know it's the medication and not anything else.
MomFire
21 Aug 2014
My hair began falling out in May, a couple of months after I began warfarin because of atrial fibrillation. The hair loss has gotten progressively worse to the point where I am becoming concerned. I have always had thick hair, but every time I brush or comb it comes out is small handfuls. When I shampooed today there was a large handful in the shower. I'm calling my pcp today to find out what to do. I get very annoyed with people who imply it is psychological. Maybe it is in some cases, but hair loss is a documented side effect of warfarin, listed on my Rx literature and online. My INR nurse told me yesterday it definitely is.
417winona
13 Nov 2014
There have been some studies on Coenzyme 10 being helpful. You might Google it.
anneteke
5 Dec 2014
I took Xeralto and lost lots of hair! Then switched to Elequis and starting the same loss. Thinking of asked to be put on Warfarin, but these stories not very encouraging. The medical community is saying to me " wouldn't you rather be bald than have a stroke. This protocol is being used for my atrial fibrillation.
Help!!!
bettylong7396
5 July 2015
Hi Sadra, I have been on Warfarin since February of this year. I will be on it for the rest of my life. My hair was always thick and long. But now its so thin. I'm so worried about it all falling out.
The shampoo you have been using for hair loss, does it work? And what are you using? I'm so desperate to try anything. Thank you for your time.
Betty
angelique j
20 Feb 2016
I started taking Coumadin and 1999 and my first signed I started losing my hair 3 months later I had to cut all my hair off I stopped taking the coumadin and ended up with pulmonary embolism and both of my lungs several so now I'm on it for the rest of my life my hair has stopped coming out but it's very thin and I'm very bothered about this but my doctor told me do I want hair or do I want to live so I stop being bothered about my hair and just take the medication as prescribed but I have had several DVTs within the last 3 years hopefully I won't get another PE that's my main concern but your hair will stop falling out eventually but you still have to take the medication
DemoninDC
22 Dec 2013
You should discuss with your doctor about switching to Arixtra, Lovenox, or Xarelto. You should use a shampoo that contains silicone, such as dimethicone or cyclomethicone. These coat the strands with a thin film, creating fuller hair that doesn't look greasy. The silicone stays put even after you rinse. Also using lukewarm water versus hot water to rinse your hair. Other shampoos (such as clobetasol [Clobex] or fluocinonide [Lidex]) for the scalp have been used for many years to treat hair loss.
Lilyrose4
16 Oct 2013
Hi Vicki I have recently been taken off warfarin and put on xarelto (rivaroxaban) due to my hair falling out they diagnosed alopecia due to the warfarin it hasn't all come out but has become very thin. I have been told to use keratase Bain volumatique shampoo and conditioner so will be trying this soon I will let you know if this works.
Sweetpea3
18 Oct 2014
Hi Lilyrose 4 (and others), I just saw your old post to Vickie concerning Warfarin and hair loss. I've been on Warfarin for years & will be for life. I've always had fine hair, but it's getting thinner with each passing year. I initially blamed it on child birth, but my youngest is now 6 years old. I'm starting to get patches of no hair & was alarmed when I caught a side glance of my hair in a mirror. I wear cloth headbands for work & now wonder if they're making the problem even worse. Have you found a shampoo or other solution to treat hair loss? I'm 42 and worry about 10, 20 years down the road at the rate I'm going. Thanks for your input.
Sweetpea3
Related topics
deep vein thrombosis (dvt), deep vein thrombosis - first event, deep vein thrombosis - recurrent event, pulmonary embolism - first event, pulmonary embolism - recurrent event, warfarin, medication
Further information
- Warfarin uses and safety info
- Warfarin prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Warfarin (detailed)
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