Why does coumadin cause hair loss

The next phase is the catagen phase, or the brief apoptotic transition of the hair matrix cells, during which hair growth ceases and the follicle shortens, and the mature hair moves upwards towards the scalp.

Finally, the telogen phase, is a short period when the hair is stationary, lasting approximately 3 months, during which the hair is at rest, awaiting removal by mechanical forces or substitution by new follicles in growth. There is significant variability between individuals in relation to the proportions of hair in each phase and their durations. At the end of the telogen phase, the hair falls and a new hair begins to grow from the follicle, restarting the cycle.

Normally, around 50 to hairs reach the telogen phase per day and fall. When more than hairs per day reach the stationary phase, hair loss is observed telogen effluvium. Interruption of the growth phase causes abnormal loss of anagen hairs anagen effluvium. Rivaroxaban-induced hair loss. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. Traditional anticoagulants and hair loss: a role for direct oral anticoagulants? A review of the literature. Drugs Real World Outcomes.

Acenocoumarol-induced alopecia: report of three cases. Farm Hosp. Agent specific effects of anticoagulant induced alopecia. Res Pract Thromb Haemost. Alopecia is a condition characterized by hair loss, especially from the scalp. It can be classified as focal or diffuse and may involve abnormal scarring.

When secondary to use of medications, particularly anticoagulants, alopecia is classified as diffuse and non-scarring. In these cases, it encompasses telogen effluvium with increased numbers of hairs entering the stationary phase.

Drug-induced hair loss occurs via two different mechanisms, affecting the anagen and telogen phases. Anagen effluvium consists of abrupt cessation of hair growth caused by antimitotic activity and is often seen in connection with use of cytotoxic agents, such as chemotherapy drugs.

Normally, this type of alopecia has rapid onset and anagen hairs start to fall out days or weeks after exposure. In contrast, telogen effluvium is the result of premature displacement of anagen hairs into the catagen phase, followed by the telogen phase. The visible effects usually appear some months after onset of the condition and may be secondary to certain situations, such as delivery, malnutrition, fever, surgery, and hemorrhage, and also to use of medications such as amlodipine, atorvastatin, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors ECA , and hydrochlorothiazide.

Use of anticoagulants is associated with a range of complications, of which bleeding has naturally been studied most. Further information on telogen effluvium is available from the DermNet NZ website. Hair loss through telogen effluvium can be triggered by a variety of conditions as well as fever, surgery, haemorrhage bleeding , childbirth and medicines.

The effects are usually visible around two to four months after exposure to the trigger. Advice on how to take this medicine and possible side effects can be found in the consumer medicine information CMI and data sheet.

Medsafe is placing this safety concern on the medicines monitoring scheme to obtain further information on these possible adverse reactions. Brand names include Lopurin and Zyloprim. Beta blockers. Beta blockers are medications that reduce the workload of your heart and help to lower blood pressure. Beta blockers are known to cause telogen effluvium, and include:.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, or ACE inhibitors , are another type of blood pressure medication. ACE inhibitors, such as those listed below, can lead to telogen effluvium as well:.

Vitamin A. When taken in large doses, vitamin A may lead to telogen effluvium. The acne medication isotretinoin Accutane is derived from vitamin A.

Female hormones. Taking female hormones can trigger hair loss. People can speak to a pharmacist about minoxidil or purchase it online.

Pumpkin seed oil may reduce the effects of 5-alpha reductase, which is an enzyme that contributes to hair loss. The authors of a study looked at the effects of pumpkin seed oil in 76 males with hair loss. Pumpkin seed oil is available in health food stores and online. If people are not seeing results from home and natural remedies after a few months, they can talk to their doctor to discuss other options.

Blood thinners, or anticoagulants, can cause hair loss. These include heparin injections and warfarin sodium, which includes the branded drugs:.

Statins, which are drugs that lower cholesterol , can cause hair loss. These include:. Antidepressants that can cause hair loss include:. People may take amphetamines for managing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ADHD or treating narcolepsy.

The amphetamine drug Adderall lists alopecia as one of the side effects people may experience. Allopurinol is a drug that doctors prescribe to lower uric acid levels in people with gout. Brand names of allopurinol include:. Timolol is a beta-blocker people may use to treat glaucoma.

Forms of timolol that may cause hair loss include:. People taking beta-blockers as a treatment for high blood pressure may experience hair loss as a side effect. Hormonal medications can treat many different conditions, but can also contribute to hair loss in both males and females. People taking medication to treat rheumatoid arthritis may experience hair loss.

This is because antirheumatic drugs work to fight inflammation by stopping cell growth.