Does any experience itching or rash from warfarin?

I have also noticed severe anxiety since starting this medication has anyone found a doctor yet that doesnt think they are crazy??

I have been on warfarin for 4 months and I have had severe itching on stomach, hands, feet and legs. I have no idea where this comes from. At first I thought it was because of the weather, but now I realize I am not alone with this. I also suffer from exhaustion and muscle aches, and some finger twitching. I have had acne ever since taking this med as well. I wnet to the hospital in October due to pain during breathing and found out that I had pneumonia. they found that I had a pulmonary embolism on my right lung and after being in the hospital for 7 days and have taken many tests, they had cocluded that they could not find out where my PE came from. Unfortunately I may be a "lifer" on the warfarin. They said I was probably prone to blood clotting. I dont think I can take feeling this way for the rest of my life...anyone have any suggestions? I am only a 38 year old female. Help!

I have been on Warfarin for six months as of march 1st 2011 for a blood clot that I got in my right calf. I speculate that I got the blood clot from being too dehydrated riding my mountain bike. After 2 weeks of being off Warfarin, I got another blood clot from my calf up onto my thigh (like the 1st one). So now I am a "lifer". In the last two weeks my skin has really been itchy. My scalp also. And I'm getting raised red itchy patches all over my back and neck. I itch under my arm pits and am getting rashes. New itchy patches on my stomach just appeared tonight. I'm getting worried because I have to stay on the warfarin or I'll get a blood clot. Nothing below the waistline yet.......knock on wood!

well I have figured out that the reason for my itching may be caused by certain soaps and or body washes that I have used -- trial and error on that one. try to use a soap that has oatmeal in it and see if that helps with the itching. Can I ask if any of you are smokers or non smokers. I know my PE was caused by taking Estrogen therapy after my surgery -- I am a smoker but I feel that if I hadn't have taken that HRT I wouldn't have had the blood clot. Smoking aside.... thats why I ask who is a smoker and who isnt because I would like to know that non smokers are just as much at risk as smokers

Thanks

Interesting about the itching while on Coumadin. I rarely get a rash and don't have allergies. Now, the lower back of my skull and down a little onto my neck itches and has bumps. I live alone and can't see it but I'll have my doc check it out in a few days.

I also had to start Vicodin (first time in my life) and take 2 a day now for the pain (which MAY also be associated with the Coumadin) so I'll look into that as a possibility also.(Someone else here mentioned Vic.)

I had a pacemaker implated three weeks ago. About a week after I started Warfarin the itching started. I decided to change from Warfarin to Pardaxa. I had to go off Warfarin for three days. I started Pardaxa today but I am still itching. I wonder how long it takes for the Warfarin to get out of my system. I have also have some problems occasionally with shortness of breath and fatigue. They tell you when you leave the hospital to call if you have any questions but good luck getting through to anyone. I was so glad to find this site and hear other people had a problem with the itching and I wasn't the only one.

The itch from Warfarin made me so miserable that my Dr. told me to stop taking it, instead to take one baby asprin daily. I, am still itching guess it takes a long time to get it out of ones system.

I've been told by nurses/docs that it takes about 5 days for warfarin to leave your body. Of course that's just a guideline and not how everyone's body will react.

When there are two changes in your life (pacemaker and warfarin/Pardaxa) complicates deciding what is causing what. There's always the possibility that Pardaxa might set up the same itchy problem also. I don't know enough about P. to comment.

Update on me and my rash and itches: my doctor looked at it and said it was psoriasis. But he would't comment on whether warfarin could cause it or not: there are MANY reasons for psoriasis.

I just find it strange that the only time in my long life I've ever had a skin condition was after starting warfarin.

My six months of warfarin is up in a few days now and I'm hoping the psoriasis will go away.

About taking baby aspirin in place of warfarin----- I hope that person's doctor is o.k. with that.

after taking warfarin for two yrs. I developed a rash on my legs. My dermotologist did not believe it was caused by the med. I had a biopsy, blood, and urin testing. Derm. found nothing and put me on a high dose of oral steroids, although this helped as soon as I stopped taking the steroid the rash came back. I was put on another round of steroids same results. I have now stopped taking warfarin and have had no more rashes and no more steroids.Not that this info will help,but if your doc. doesn't listen then find one that will. My fam. doc. listened to me (to shut me up I;m sure) but retested my blood and found that I no longer needed to be on warfarin.

I'm suffering from a rash on both my ankle areas and calfs. I wake myself up at night scratching it. I've tried Lamisil,Durman anti-fungal creme, and Calmoseptine seperately and together, but there is no relief. When I contacted my Dr.s office I was told, "Well that's a side effect". There has to be some relief.

I get rashes only on my forearms from Warfarin, no itching. Many doctors said there is no cure.

I took myself off of Warfarin - had thought it was going to disolve blood clots I had/have/may still have - but does not. Problems I had on reaction:
1. Skin was/is discolored, bleeds easily
2. developed an Ulcer (on clot leg) from scratching leg - which gave leg staph infection - hit leg aaginst a chair= and got the ulcer (which seems to be healing OK)- wound clinic had me put a sort of gauze on it.

Back to rat Poison aka Warfarin - feel it caused all these leg probs (other than the DVT). i.e had it not itched.
Still have one itch spot that has rough skin and bleeds easily
Dermatologist presc. Hydrocortisone Lotion USP 2.5% Great stuff AND...I get 4 2 oz (decent size given itch area!) for $4.00 on my health plan (name beand tho is...$350!!!)
Warfarin - Cuemadin(SP?) Clinic I used to go to had so many people taking it I called it the "Cuemadin Club' Obviously I am not a member!
Risk in NOT taking anything for DVT - no idea - have been off it for year+ so Dr figures I am probably safe. Not taking any tests 'cause A) I am not tkaing rat poison and B) Don't believe in filters (other option) how do I know if clot will by-pass filter.
So - hope this info was some use to some of you fellow suffers!! Other than the aformentioned leg itch- I get no more itching.

GEOF

Geoff said:
*****Risk in NOT taking anything for DVT - no idea - have been off it for year+ so Dr figures I am probably safe****

DVT's can/will cause death if they migrate to the heart. Immediately.

I developed pulmonary embolisms (many, in all lobes of lungs) from DVTs and was in Intensive Care.

I, too, hated taking Warfarin (for the 6 months prescribed). It caused many bad side effects. But none as bad as death.:)

I hope you and your doctor are correct with the 'probably safe' supposition.

I'd also like other readers here to remember that the post is by just a member and not a doctor.

****Not taking any tests 'cause A) I am not tkaing rat poison****

Good luck with that.:)

GEOFF wrote:

I took myself off of Warfarin - had thought it was going to disolve blood clots I had/have/may still have - but does not. Problems I had on reaction:
1. Skin was/is discolored, bleeds easily
2. developed an Ulcer (on clot leg) from scratching leg - which gave leg staph infection - hit leg aaginst a chair= and got the ulcer (which seems to be healing OK)- wound clinic had me put a sort of gauze on it.
Back to rat Poison aka Warfarin - feel it caused all these leg probs (other than the DVT). i.e had it not itched.
Still have one itch spot that has rough skin and bleeds easily
Dermatologist presc. Hydrocortisone Lotion USP 2.5% Great stuff AND...I get 4 2 oz (decent size given itch area!) for $4.00 on my health plan (name beand tho is...$350!!!)
Warfarin - Cuemadin(SP?) Clinic I used to go to had so many people taking it I called it the "Cuemadin Club' Obviously I am not a member!
Risk in NOT taking anything for DVT - no idea - have been off it for year+ so Dr figures I am probably safe. Not taking any tests 'cause A) I am not tkaing rat poison and B) Don't believe in filters (other option) how do I know if clot will by-pass filter.
So - hope this info was some use to some of you fellow suffers!! Other than the aformentioned leg itch- I get no more itching.
GEOF

I have weird rash on my thigh just over my knee that looks like splash of blood underneath the skin. It's not raised but the one last week on inner knee, same leg was raised. I just talked to a kaiser nurse and though they are very busy today, she insisted I be seen within the next 4 hours. She said it sounded serious. I have been taking warfarin since 2008, for dvt-brain clot. I am 51. I will check back soon to let you know how it went. For the record, this type of rash is listed as one of the serious side effects of coumadin or generic form, warfarin. If you have it or think you have it, you should high tail it to a doctor.

After 6 months of taking myself off Rat Poison (scratching gave caused bleeding of same leg and then staph infection and...ulcer. Leg still sore!) But - am taking gamble the clots (there were 2 - ironically 2nd appeared while taking Warfarin!) May get ultrasound this year- if my next to useless insurance will pay for that! Frankly - prefer gambling on clots moving than the infernal itching.
BTW ask your pharmacist to print out data sheet on Warfaring - that is scary!
Oh - final - cream for itching that actually mostly worked - HydroCortisone Lotion- USP in 2.5 oz bottles - NOT those useless 1/2 oz tubes. AND my script give me 4 bottles! I still use the stuff on occasional itch.
Final question - anyone buy one of those PT machines - saves on Dr visits - but I have no idea what they cost. Did hear the sample (blood) tabs were v expensive (but then so are Dr visits!) Despite fact I don't need one- was thinking of investing at one point (long gone!)
Happy new Year to all! May all your itches be cured!

Laurie wrote:

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 :)

I have dealt with drug reactions many times. My Dr. said YES you can take something for years & suddenly your body cannot tolerate it anymore. I took daily aspirin for 7 yrs. & one day I awoke to a heated full body prickly itch. After stopping it, it took 2 mos. to go away. The Dr said it's because it has to get out of your liver. I'm now on Warfarin for over 2 yrs & suddenly got another prickly itch all over. It starts about 1 to 2 hrs after taking it. I am going to take others advice on here & try switching to brand name coumadin.

I took myself off this rat poison. had to get lots of bottles of anti-itch from dermatologist. Then realised I was fighting losing battle! I take aspirin as blood thinner, that is it. My arms are finally looking presentable - after rat poison made major red blotches etc. I did get staph infection from scratching (which also led to and ulcer) neither have totally healed - of course on teh DVT leg - which stays swollen!

yeah - I am gambling - but at least I can sleep and wear short sleeves again! Will probably get ultrasound this year- see if the DVT has gone (one Dr said it probably has, or I would not be around!)
Yeah - gambling - but felt the itching - staph infection was killing me anyway. My choice on way to go!

OH yeah - where I live there are no vascular surgeons - so that is not an option!

GEOF

I have been on Warfarin since December. I had a DVT which resulted in multiple PE's in the lungs. Since I have been on Coumadin, I wake up every morning with intense itching, mostly around the elbows and arms. Sometimes on the scalp and around my chin area. It can get pretty awful. I take a daily allergy medication and even with that, I still get up itchy. I don't think its attributed to anything else, since it started almost immediately after I started the Warfarin. I don't get a rash or any visible signs, so I haven't mentioned it to the doctor. I am just dealing with it the best I can.