Does any experience itching or rash from warfarin?

[robert a o]

I've been on warfarin for two years.After 7 months I developed a SEVERE itching, with rash and breakouts. Allergist thought it was the warfarin, but two weeks off the warfarin I have no changes. Anyone ever heard of this or similiar experience.I really need to know.This condition is ruining my life. Thanx

[Laurie]

Robert - Im a little confused - do you mean that you have been on Coumadin for 2 years and within the last 7 months developed a rash and itching? If thats the case, I wouldnt think it had anything to do with the Coumadin. I would recommend you possibly check with a Dermatologist - they may want to biopsy the rash so that they can identify the cause. Have you changed anything in your diet, detergents, soaps etc? Also, have you had this rash and itching for the last 7 months?
**Do you have any discoloration, bruising etc in your feet, legs or hands?

[Nancy]

I realize the original comment/question was posted in March, however I'd like to add my own experience. I'd been on coumadin for 4 years (along w/other drugs) & I started getting a rash on my back & welts on my thighs. My dr. thought it might be a drug, so took me off everything but coumadin, saying it rarely caused allergic reactions & he didn't want to risk taking me off it. Nothing helped & I continued in misery. Finally I decided to take matters into my own hands & quite coumadin cold turkey. Within less than a day my rash & welts were gone & I've been symptom free since. Now I have to break the news to my dr.!

[Delilah]

Coumadin can cause non-hemorragic symptoms, skin rash as you describe being one of them. You can do a search online and see actual pics of the rash and compare to what you are experiencing to see if it looks the same. Coumadin allergy is rare, but that doens't mean it doesn't exist..and with all due respect Laurie isn't it possible to develop an allergy to something that you didn't react to at first?

[Laurie]

Delilah, it would be unlikely - but anything is possible. I would question more of anything new someone used or began recently - changes in soaps, clothing, foods, etc. Most people do not suddenly begin having a reaction to meds. But like I said, anything is possible. Sometimes it is more hormonal changes or imbalances that influence new reactions. For instance as we get older we cant always tolerate the foods we used to be able to eat -- if you dont know what I mean, you will :)

[Delilah]

LOL..unfortunately I do know...I remember saying recently "so THIS is what heartburn feels like!"...

[cindy]

robert a o wrote:

I've been on warfarin for two years.After 7 months I developed a SEVERE itching, with rash and breakouts. Allergist thought it was the warfarin, but two weeks off the warfarin I have no changes. Anyone ever heard of this or similiar experience.I really need to know.This condition is ruining my life. Thanx

have you had any other problems since your posting? My mom age 67 was on warfarin for 2 1/2 yrs. then in May of ths yr. she started having a rash and burning feeling in stomach and thighs her Dr. said it was lymopham of the skin then it kept getting worst that the rash turn into bruises next her skin broke down and opened up then she was in sever pain counituing with the warfarin she started into kidney failure bp bottoming out she was hospitailized for 1 wk. in one hospital then transfer to another one 2hrs. awayafter 1 1/2 wks. there after every test you can think of and 16 Drs. they found it was because from the warfarin near death she can no longer be on coumadin and hopefully she will recover but it's going to be a very long painfully haul good luck to you and hope you and your family doesn't have to go through this too.

[Shane]

I have been on warfarin for 14 years due to FV blood disorder and clots, I find my rash is on my fingers and knuckles it drives me nuts. I use soft lether gloves with the ends of the fingers open and that seems to help. Also Total Research corp. has a great skin rash lotion that is the best I have ever used.

[Donald ontario canada]

I have been on warfarin twice and each time

a rash and intolerable itching developed.
After quitting warfarin it took several
months for the rash and itch to recede.
I switched to SINTROM and seem to tolerate
it ok.Itch and rash almost gone.Our gov't
funded drug plan refuses to pay for this drug as they say it can't be proven that
warfarin causes the rash.I intend to contact my provincial Member of Parliament
as SINTROM is expensive and as a senior on
limited income I must have this drug to
treat a clotting disorder.I have been told
I will be on this for life.

[Donald]

Shane,I found itching could be relieved for
many hours by running hot water over the area and increasing the temperature until you have to pull your hand away.Also a hair
dryer is also effective.

[lizzy]

I also have a rash and i itch on my back and belly.I have been on couimdin for 4 months.
I stopped a water pill i was on as my doc. said that it could be the reason for it..have been off it for a week and still have the rash and itch.Anyones hair falling out ? I also have a bad pain in my hip..have A.F. so cant stop taking it.
Good luck all. Liz

[Kelly]

I appreciated reading all of these posts but I didn't find anyone who seems to having the same reaction to warfarin as I am- and that is itching up and down my leg (where the original DVTs were) and then in my stomach (where I injected the dalteparin) when I was first diagnosed with a PE. The stomach has subsidded for the most part and I assume it will disapear with time (I stopped injecting dalteparin about 2 months ago). My leg is another story as it continues to itch. Nothing debilitating but certainly not much fun. Does this ring true for anyone? If so - does it too subside with time?

Thanks in advance for your comments.

Kelly

[Darrell P from Colorado]

I have developed a rash and serious iching 5 months after starting Warfarin. My doctor does not know what it is. Topical steroids don't phase it. Aloe mosturizer helps. I have yet to get off of the med to see if this changes. I previously have had no alergies my whole life.

robert a o wrote:

I've been on warfarin for two years.After 7 months I developed a SEVERE itching, with rash and breakouts. Allergist thought it was the warfarin, but two weeks off the warfarin I have no changes. Anyone ever heard of this or similiar experience.I really need to know.This condition is ruining my life. Thanx

[Donald]

robert a o wrote:

I've been on warfarin for two years.After 7 months I developed a SEVERE itching, with rash and breakouts. Allergist thought it was the warfarin, but two weeks off the warfarin I have no changes. Anyone ever heard of this or similiar experience.I really need to know.This condition is ruining my life. T
haanx

After I stopped taking warfarin it took several months toget relief from the rash and itching.I switched to Sintrom and rash has not reoccured . I have been taking Sintrom for a year now and skin problems are under control. I am amazed that the medical profession seems to be so uninformed of this problem.

[Peter Edmonton Canada]

Roughly 10 days after starting on warfarin( with injections of levonox during initial INR build up ) I developed extremely itchy skin and rash. If I control myself and don't touch it is OK but when irritated or after hot shower - it flares up and feels and looks awful.

[Delilah]

My dad had a horrible reaction on coumadin this past summer and stopped taking it. Since then he has had horrible itching. No rash, just an intense itching on his body, mainly his torso and legs. the doctor is clueless as to what it can be. Pruritis (itching) can be caused by liver conditions or anemia among other things. I know that my dad was anemic thanks to two gastric bleeds. I'm wondering if this is still the case. Itching can also be caused by kidney failure. I don't mean to scare you, just want you to know that you should continue to ask your doctor about it and get some answers.

[Maureen]

I noticed that after taking the Warfarin (coumadin) I get a very itchy rash on my right breast. If I scratch it it makes it unbearable so I put anti-itch cream on it. I have had this for 6 months now. I have been taking Warfarin for many years.

[Meli]

After two days of taking Coumadin, I developed a horrible rash mostly on my trunk but it started spreading to my arms and legs. I wasn't allergic to the drug (which is rare) but to the dyes that they use to coat the pills. As a result, I can take only the white, 10mg tablet which is the only one that is dye-free.

[Maureen]

I take 6 mgs so I guess that I am stuck with the coloured pills.
The 6 mg. are a weird gray-green.
Maybe I should take 2 3 mgs. instead they are a different colour!

[Barbara]

My mother, age 70, has been on warfarin for 4 months for blood clots in her lungs and one leg. She developed a terrible rash and horrnedous itching, which has continued for at least 6 weeks now. At one point, her hands itched so badly and became so inflamed that one of her fingers split open. She is so miserable. After reading the other posts on this site (and other sites), she called her doctor today to request a switch to coumadin, the name brand. She's also had trouble getting her INR stabilized, so perhaps the switch to coumadin will help with that also, as others have reported. She still has 6 weeks to go on this drug. Incidentally, she spoke to an acquaintance of hers tonight who had the same itching experience with warfarin, and she reported that switching to coumadin took care of it, so we are hopeful. I'll post again in a few days as to results.