A Clearinghouse for Information about Blood Clots (DVT/)PE) and Clotting Disorders (thrombophilia) provided as a public service by the University of North Carolina Blood Research Center

Category: Therapy

  • Warfarin-Induced Skin Necrosis

    How common is it? Warfarin-induced skin necrosis is a rare complication of warfarin (coumadin®, Jantoven®) therapy. It occurs in approximately 1 of 10,000 patients treated with warfarin. What is it? “Necrosis” means “dead tissue”. Patients with warfarin-induced skin necrosis develop very painful skin areas, most commonly in the breasts, next commonly in buttocks, thighs and…

  • Purple Toe Syndrome

    Warfarin can, in rare instances, cause violaceous painful discoloration of the toes and the sides of the feet, referred to as the “purple toe syndrome” 1 – see photograph below. Occasionally, the hands can also be involved and a net-like skin rash on abdomen and legs (= livedo reticularis) can occur. This typically happens within the…

  • Purple Toe Syndrome

    Warfarin can, in rare instances, cause violaceous painful discoloration of the toes and the sides of the feet, referred to as the “purple toe syndrome” 1 – see photograph below. Occasionally, the hands can also be involved and a net-like skin rash on abdomen and legs (= livedo reticularis) can occur. This typically happens within the…

  • Low Molecular Weight Heparins – Osteoporosis?

    Occasionally, a patient is treated with long-term low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) (enoxaparin = Lovenox®; Dalteparin = Fragmin®; Tinzaparin = Innohep®) for months or years. LMWH may be given because the patient (a) tolerated warfarin poorly (widely fluctuating INRs; significant side-effects, such as marked hair loss or fatigue), (b) had a recurrent clot which occured on warfarin with…

  • Hair Loss on Warfarin

    How common is it? Hair loss is a known side effect of warfarin, but has hardly been studied [ref 1]. Solid data on how frequently it occurs, on its time-course, and on treatments are  not available. Mild hair loss appears to be common, severe hair loss uncommon, complete hair loss has not been reported.

  • Hair Loss on Warfarin

    How common is it? Hair loss is a known side effect of warfarin (Coumadin®, Jantoven®), but has hardly been studied [ref 1]. Solid data on how frequently it occurs, on its time-course, and on treatments are  not available. Mild hair loss appears to be common, severe hair loss uncommon, complete hair loss has not been…

  • Apixaban (Eliquis®) – Another New Oral Anticoagulant

    Good news.  Another one of the new oral anticoagulants in development,  Apixaban (Eliquis®), has moved forward.  On May 20th, 2011, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved Eliquis® for DVT prevention after orthopedic surgery (hip and knee replacement) in the 27 countries of the European Community. In the U.S., however, Eliquis® is still some way away from getting FDA approval

  • Apixaban (Eliquis): Another New Oral “Blood Thinner”

    Good news. Another one of the new oral “blood thinners” in development,  Apixaban (Eliquis®), has moved forward. On May 23rd, 2011 the European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved Eliquis® for marketing in the 27 countries of the European Community for DVT prevention after orthopedic surgery (hip and knee replacement). In the U.S., Eliquis® is not yet FDA approved, and still…