Home / Trigger atlas / Medications / Anticoagulants (Eliquis, Xarelto, warfarin)
Medications · Updated 2026-10-30 · Editorial review in progress
Does Eliquis cause hair loss? What's known about blood thinners
Also searched as: EliquisapixabanXareltorivaroxabanwarfarindoes eliquis cause hair loss
DermNet lists heparin and warfarin among drugs that cause telogen effluvium and says newer anticoagulants such as rivaroxaban, dabigatran and apixaban possibly do; NICE also lists anticoagulants as a telogen effluvium trigger.
No consistent week-by-week window is published for this, so it is not on the calculator.
Evidence strength by drug
| Drug | How DermNet lists it |
|---|---|
| Warfarin | Listed cause of telogen effluvium [DermNet] |
| Heparin | Listed cause [DermNet] |
| Apixaban (Eliquis) | 'Possibly' [DermNet] |
| Rivaroxaban (Xarelto) | 'Possibly' [DermNet] |
| Dabigatran (Pradaxa) | 'Possibly' [DermNet] |
HealthLink BC names warfarin and heparin as blood thinners that can cause hair loss [HealthLink]. No source we opened gives a start or recovery week for anticoagulants, so they are not on the calculator.
Untangling the real trigger
People often start a blood thinner after a clot, surgery or hospital stay — each of which can trigger shedding on its own [American]. Bring the dates of all of them to your appointment.
Normal vs. warning signs
- Diffuse shedding, no patches
- Patches or smooth bald spots
- Scalp pain, redness, burning or scaling
- Loss of eyebrows, eyelashes or body hair
- Unusual bleeding or bruising — contact your prescriber
What may help
- Never stop a blood thinner yourself — that can be dangerous. Talk to your prescriber.
- List recent illnesses, surgery or hospital stays with dates.
- Ask about iron testing, especially if you have had bleeding.
Related triggers
After surgery & anaesthesia
Life eventsCOVID-19 & high fever
Labs & explainersFerritin & iron
MedicationsLevothyroxine changes
Frequently asked questions
Does Eliquis cause hair loss?
DermNet lists apixaban (Eliquis) as a possible cause of telogen effluvium; warfarin and heparin are more established.
Does Xarelto cause hair loss?
DermNet lists rivaroxaban (Xarelto) as a possible cause.
Should I stop my blood thinner because of hair loss?
No. Stopping an anticoagulant can be dangerous; talk to your prescriber.
Sources
- DermNet. Alopecia from drugs
- NICE Clinical Knowledge Summaries. Female pattern hair loss — differential diagnosis (telogen effluvium)
- HealthLink BC. Causes of hair loss: medicines and medical treatments
- American Academy of Dermatology. Do you have hair loss or hair shedding?