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Ranexa anyone? Hair falling out or is it just me?

Sarcasma40
0 Recommendations

Just curious if anyone is taking Ranexa and is it possible that this is what is causing my hair to fall out by the hand fulls? I asked my doctor today about it, he doesn't know and will research. Meanwhile... I'm going bald.
Otherwise, I like the Ranexa I feel very little to no pain or aching in my heart since I started it.
Please don't read this and assume anything. That is why I'm asking, realizing all the while it could be something else completely.
Ranexa has been a good drug for me bald or not.

Explore topics in this discussion:

Toprol XL Plaquenil Aspirin Stroke Imdur Vertigo Plavix Angina Pain Lupus Heart attack Stress

7 replies

lkay

My hair has thinned considerably this past year since I went on ranexa. Now you have me wondering if that could be the cause? I figured it was drug and/or stress related and something I would just live with.

if you get answers from your doctor please post it so we all can read the reply.

My best,
Laura

houston

Dear Heartbroken38,
I was given Ranexa for angina, but decided not to stay with it. I had read some controversy after I started taking it. Also the paper I take "Best Pill/Worst Pill" said to wait 5-7 years before taking it. I am somewhat uncomfortable with new medicines. I decided to stay with the nitro patch and Toprol XL. I told my cardo my feelings, and he said I should do what I am comfortable doing. I know it takes several years for them to know the side affects of new medicines. Also, Ranexa does not have another drug that is like it. I surely am not telling you to stop your medicine, but the hair issue could be the drug. Drugs can cause many side affects, and they can be different with people. I hope I helped a little.

Sarcasma40

Hi Houston,
Thank you for your input!
My problem is that I have naturally low blood pressure and the beta-blockers make it even lower (Toprol XL). So I can't do nitro or imdur<-another terrible drug. I am definitely in less pain since taking the ranexa and have had no vertigo at all, which I was having daily thanks to the plavix.
It's just the pits to have to worry about all this and then go bald too. (smile at the irony)

houston

Hi Heartbroken38,
I am glad that Ranexa is working for you. I did not know that it helped vertigo. I have never used plavix. I have a healed ulcer, so plavix would be tricky for me. Toprol XL would not be for you. It does take the blood pressure down. I am on a low dose because of the blood pressure. Mine goes down on it. The cardo wants to control my heart rate. He worries because it is fast, and I have blockages. I have to have the nitroglycerin transdermal patch. I get too much chest pressure without it, plus I go to the gym. I tried once without it, and I started getting chest squeezing that went to the jaw. I stopped and took the pill.
Dealing with CAD is really a hit and miss game.
Take care.

Sarcasma40

Houston,
I don't know that Ranexa treats vertigo, but the extra oxygen because of this drug is what I believe helped the vertigo.

I wasn't just having vertigo, I was also having almost stroke or aneurism type episodes at times.

My blood was sooooo thin due to 325mg of aspirin and 75mg of Plavix. If you pointed at me from across the room, I would have a terrible bruise for 6mos. How does such thin blood affect the brain?

Twice a day it felt like the house or car was rolling down a mountain. I would scream and grab hold of something. Once the feeling stopped, I would have pain in my head and face. Scary stuff!

I decided on my own (and I don't reccommend this to anyone), to cut the Plavix in half. Well, half the problem went away. But because of my tiny veins, no more drug adjusting could be done. So they had to add a drug, Ranexa. Not one episode since then.

My doctor actually gave me permission to cut my beta-blocker in half on Tuesday. Hopefully, this will cause my heart rate and pressure to stop suddenly bottoming out with no reason or warning. However, it may increase the pain in my heart again.

It's a vicious cycle!

MMaslek

I've been on Ranexa for about 2 years now. It has been a lifesaver for me. I was at the nonfunctioning level & now at least I can function. When the ranexa stops working, its transplant time.... Anyway, I've had no issues with my hair & the ranexa. I was on plaquenil years ago for lupus & about 75% of my hair fell out & I grew abnormal facial hair. So I was almost bald with a beard so I really know how frustrating that can be!!!! Not fun... I waxed my facial hair & caused bruising & bleeding that lasted for months. When I stopped the plaquenil my facial hair fell out & my regular hair grew back. I hope the ranexa isn't the issue for you because it has worked so well for me. It is possible that all the stress going on in your life right now is causing the hair loss as well. I cut my hair short when it was happening so it wouldn't look like so much falling out. Hang in there!!!!!
Amy

martzj

hi HB,

"My blood was sooooo thin due to 325mg of aspirin and 75mg of Plavix. If you pointed at me from across the room, I would have a terrible bruise for 6mos. How does such thin blood affect the brain?

Twice a day it felt like the house or car was rolling down a mountain. I would scream and grab hold of something. Once the feeling stopped, I would have pain in my head and face. Scary stuff"

You are the only other person I've heard describe the same sensations I felt. I was unable to take Plavix at all....after a few hours I would just faint dead away wherever I was. Never got past 1 pill. At work the vertigo sensations you described would hit me at work invariably when I was standing in someone else's cubicle and I would grab a desk for balance asking 'did you feel that? Are we having a small quake?" while they are looking at me like I'm nuts!! : )

It was the beta-blockers + heart damage/arrhythmia ganging up on me during pms fluid retention days...but it took me a long time to get what was happening. No way I could stop taking the beta blockers......the Plavix and aspirin I have lived without for 12 years. I have a tendency to bottom out too ...that started as with puberty and migraines at age 10.

ACE inhibitors are a no-no for me. My latest female cardio actually stomped her feet when I refused to try Plavix a 3rd time.....But she couldn't give me an explanation why each time I lost consciousness within hours of the first dose and I spent an hour and a half commuting to work daily back then on top of 5 stepkids at home...on top of irreparable heart attack damage by 41.

Good luck with all that,
Jaynie

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