Hair Loss Is a Potential Side Effect of Novel Oral Anticoagulants – Findings From the Dresden NOAC Registry (NCT01588119)

The study from the Dresden NOAC Registry evaluated the incidence of hair loss as a potential side effect of novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) like dabigatran and rivaroxaban. It included 938 patients, with 730 on rivaroxaban and 208 on dabigatran, accumulating 270.8 patient years of treatment. Twelve female patients spontaneously reported new hair loss, resulting in an incidence rate of 4.4 per 100 patient years. The mean time to report hair loss was 68±76 days after starting NOAC therapy. The study concluded that hair loss could be a side effect of long-term NOAC therapy, and patients should be informed about this possibility. Further research with larger cohorts was recommended to identify potential risk factors.