{"id":634247,"date":"2025-11-07T09:42:56","date_gmt":"2025-11-07T14:42:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=634247"},"modified":"2026-02-02T16:35:20","modified_gmt":"2026-02-02T21:35:20","slug":"does-eliquis-cause-hair-loss","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/does-eliquis-cause-hair-loss\/","title":{"rendered":"Does Eliquis cause hair loss?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Eliquis<\/span><\/a> (apixaban) is a prescription blood thinner used to treat and prevent blood clots, and lower the risk of stroke in people with a type of heart condition called <\/span>atrial fibrillation<\/span><\/a> (AFib). Some people wonder whether they should expect an increase in hair loss while taking Eliquis, since hair loss is a side effect of some other <\/span>blood thinners<\/span><\/a> (also called <\/span>anticoagulants<\/span><\/a>). Here\u2019s what you need to know about <\/span>Eliquis<\/span><\/a> and hair loss.<\/span><\/p>\n

Is hair loss a side effect of Eliquis?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Common <\/span>side effects of Eliquis<\/span><\/a> include anemia, nausea, and bruising, but not hair loss (alopecia). Hair loss is also not listed as an adverse reaction in the <\/span>prescribing information<\/span><\/a> for Eliquis, published by the manufacturer, Bristol-Myers Squibb.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Gurpreet Saini<\/span><\/a>, MD, an internal medicine physician at MedStar Health in Maryland, says that even though hair loss hasn\u2019t been confirmed in any of the current research into the medication, drug-related hair loss can sometimes be underreported or vary from person to person. She also notes that there are a few case reports and anecdotal patient experiences suggesting a possible link. According to an <\/span>analysis published in 2020<\/span><\/a>, some patients reported apixaban (the active ingredient in Eliquis and the <\/span>future generic version<\/span><\/a>) as a potential cause of alopecia (especially in older women), but the authors of that analysis acknowledge there isn\u2019t enough clear or conclusive evidence to connect Eliquis directly to hair loss.<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\tEliquis 5 mg (28 Tablets)\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t23666 - Hampton, VA\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\"Kroger\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t$155.92\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\ti<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tPrice with signup<\/a>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\tGet free coupon<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\"Harris\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t$155.92\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\ti<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tPrice with signup<\/a>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
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Blood thinners and hair loss<\/span><\/h2>\n

If hair loss isn\u2019t considered a common side effect of Eliquis, why do some people worry that taking this medication will contribute to alopecia? It\u2019s because <\/span>older blood thinners<\/span><\/a>, like <\/span>warfarin<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>heparin<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>do <\/span><\/i>have a documented association with hair loss, especially with long-term use, per Dr. Saini. She also explains that older generation anticoagulants can interfere with the hair cycle, particularly during the anagen phase when hair grows the most. As a result, an excess amount of hairs prematurely shift to the catagen, or stagnant phase, before falling out a couple of weeks later.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, the same effects haven\u2019t been clearly seen in people using Eliquis. \u201cEliquis works differently than warfarin or heparin, and doesn\u2019t seem to have the same direct effect on hair follicles,\u201d Dr. Saini says.<\/span><\/p>\n

While newer blood thinners like Eliquis aren\u2019t usually considered a common cause of hair loss, it\u2019s not impossible. According to <\/span>Melanie Palm<\/span><\/a>, MD, MBA, dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon at Art of Skin MD in California, in rare cases, Eliquis can worsen a condition called telogen effluvium, a type of temporary hair shedding where more hairs shift into the resting phase of the growth cycle and eventually fall out. <\/span>Telogen effluvium<\/span><\/a> is usually triggered by stress, surgery, illness, or sudden dietary changes. Some people on Eliquis may see excess hair loss if they\u2019re taking it following a major life event or change.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>How much does Eliquis cost without insurance?<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

Indirect reasons for Eliquis hair loss<\/span><\/h2>\n

Experiencing hair loss while taking a medication isn\u2019t always directly caused by the drug itself, and that\u2019s typically the case with Eliquis. If you\u2019re noticing hair loss on Eliquis, it\u2019s more likely caused by the reason you\u2019re taking the medication in the first place.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMany people who start Eliquis or blood thinners are doing so after a major health event, [like] a cardiovascular issue, surgery, or hospitalization,\u201d Dr. Palm says, adding that the physical and emotional stress of these events can contribute to hair loss.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Other common causes of hair loss, per Dr. Saini, include:<\/span><\/p>\n