Eliquis: Stomach Pain, Abdominal Swelling, Bloating, Gas

Have been taking Eliquis 5 mg 2x day for almost 3 months. Seem to be having Stomach Pain, Abdominal Swelling, Bloating, Gas, Facial Swelling and lots of weight gain and water retention. Also brain fog and memory problems. (It's hard to tell how much of this is from Eliquis and how much from CHF associated with A-Fib. Also taking Beta Blocker and Digoxin.)

Eliquis has been out long enough for the pharmaceutical company (BMS) to put out a REVISED list of side-effects, to reflect real-life patients' experiences. Wonder if they have done so, or when they'll do so?

Am probably going to switch to Xarelto and stop the Eliquis, in hopes that the Xarelto will cause fewer problems.

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REPORT

You might want to rethink that decison, Afibber. Here is what the pharmacists say:

Examining the Comparative Safety of Blood Thinners: An Analysis Utilizing AdverseEvents Explorer February 2014. The results from our analyses all point to the same general conclusions: 1) apixaban may be a safer choice within the anticoagulant class, and 2) prasugrel may have higher safety risks than the other two medications in its antiplatelet class.

And here is what the lawyers say: News and Information about Personal Injury legal cases. Today's Date: Monday, July 14th, 2014 Xarelto Adverse Events Now Outnumber Pradaxa's: Report By: Irvin Jackson | Published: May 15th, 2014. The blood thinner Xarelto has surpassed its rival, Pradaxa, in both prescriptions and the number of severe adverse events reported by its users, according to the findings of a new analysis.

{edited for privacy}

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Well, am going to take my chances, as I've been on Xarelto in the past and while it did cause some unpleasant side-effects, being on Eliquis has been very rough. Am hoping the Xarelto will be easier overall. Can always go back on Eliquis or try something else, if Xarelto proves intolerable. (Didn't find anything specific about the meds you mentioned and their relationship to Xarelto and found nothing in the links in your message, relevant to original post, so not sure what you were driving at.)

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@Afibber,

Interestingly enough, I haven't come across any of the side effects you mentioned listed under Eliquis from a number of legitimate references, including the manufacturer themselves. In that regard, it's hard to say if they will ever update it with more current statistics. However, you can always report un-listed side effects to the FDA's MedWatch Program to help get word out.

Xarelto on the other hand, does actually show a couple of the symptoms you mentioned on the following side effect page (such as facial swelling and stomach pain)... although these are listed under a category called "Incidence not known":

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0045374/#DDIC603481.side_effects_section

None-the-less, there's no way of knowing how you'll react until you try it again, so it's still possible that you might not have any side effects at all this time around.

I hope this helps!

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I have been on Eliquis for two months now and I am having so much abdominal swelling, bloating and ankles swell real bad. I swell so bad that I can't eat I am 5'2'' weight is 120 I have gained 8 pounds since I have been on Eliquis is this medicine causing this problem?

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I am 42yr old male. Just underwent a cryoablation for paraxsymal afib and have been eliquis for about a month. I have experience a lot, I mean a lot of gas and a small amount of stomach upset. Just waiting another month or so to come off the medications. No more afib, I hope. Will let you know what happens!

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i take the same medications and i have commenced with the stomach discomfort, heart burn, some dizzyness and loss of energy for my daily 2 mile walk.

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I've had TERRIBLE weight gain on Xarelto. I've been on it for about 6 weeks total. On top of that, I've had chest pain, extreme lethargy (almost like someone is sitting on me), dizziness upon standing and basically, I feel like after I take the dose, I can't even leave the house. I'd think twice if I were you.

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Eliquis tablets 5mgs twice a day for Atrial Fibrillation.
Does anyone find that it makes your I.B.S worse.

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Regarding the stomach pains and cramps plus bloating while taking ELIQUIS I can assure you it is NOT your imagination.
I have been to my doctor and hospital consultant that's treating me for something different she asked me to contact doctor and she changed prescription Omeprazole 20mgs to 10mgs a.m. evening 300mgs Zantac everything seemed o.k then I started having blood in urine which did settle down then this has been followed by lower left sided abdominal pain which spreads to upper stomach. All Iam doing is burping and there is no doubt in my mind that since starting this drug it has indeed caused stomach problems.

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YES I HAVE BEEN ON ELIQUIS SINCE APRIL NOW AND HAD SOME VERY ODD PROBLEMS AND I KNOW THAT ITS THIS DRUG THATS CAUSING THE PROBLEMS.
1]I DO SUFFER FROM I.B.S BUT EPISODES WERE ALWAYS FEW AND FAR BETUWEEN HOWEVER SINCE STARTING THIS IT HAS NOW BECOME MUCH MORE FREQUENT AND PAINFUL.
2] A PULSATION AT THE TOP OF SCALP.
3] NAUSEA AND ITS LIKE MORNING SICKNESS COMES AND GOES.
4]METALIC TASTE IN MOUTH ALONG WITH SOME BLOOD LOSS FROM GUMS.
5]URINE FREQUENCY UP DURING THE NIGHT.
6] FALSE BLOOD REPORTS]
ACTUALLY I WISH I HAD NEVER STARTED ON THIS DRUG BUT WAS TOLD ITS THE NEW WARFRIN AS THIS WILL SLOWLY BE TAKEN OFF THE MARKET.

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Just an update on taking Eliquis.
I have a metallic taste in mouth and spit some blood. Recently had my usual check up at dentist and all was well however this continues to be a bit of a problem.
I still have a strange sensation at top of scalp like a pulsation [light feeling] and suffer from sleep disturbance waking every 2 hours and I link it to the Eliquis causing a bit of a urine frequency.
Cant say its causing any weight problem but sometimes I feel this brain type fog thing. Also have a burning sensation all over body.

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On my request dosage was lowered to 2 instead of higher. But heartburn, bloat(severe) constant discomfort in stomach weight gain evident. Heartburn so bad while exercising I limit exercise. I fight constipation somewhat by diet. Not happy with the med but the doctor is adamant.

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UPDATE ON ELIQUIS. SAW MY NEUROLOGIST REGARDING A MUSCLE WASTING DISEASE AND TOLD HER THAT IVE NOW A STRANGE PROBLEM WITH MY FINGER AND HAND ALSO I CONTINUE TO HAVE A PULSATION OVER TOP OF HEAD. NAUSEA CONTINUES AND IF YOU VOMIT OWING TO A VIRUS WELL JUST WAIT. I WAS SICK FRIDAY NIGHT AND BECAUSE OF THE FORCE I BROUGHT UP SOME BLOOD THAT WAS ONLY AN HOUR AFTER HAVING MY ELIQUIS AND I DONT KNOW WHAT WAS WORSE THE SICKNESS OR HAVING TO WAIT FOR NEXT TABLET 9 HOURS AWAY.
I AM HAVING SEVERE CRAMP IN FEET AND PALPATATIONS ARE WORSE TINNITUS IS TERRIBLE . I.B.S MORE FREQUENT THAN EVER AND WITHOUT DOUBT ITS THIS DRUG CAUSING THE STOMACH PAIN.
NEUROLOGIST HAS ASKED ME TO HAVE A TALK WITH G.P BUT HAS ORDERED A FULL M.R.I. OF SPINE JUST TO RULE OUT ANOTHER PROBLEM NEUROLOGICAL---WILL UP DATE WHEN I HAVE RESULTS.

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I have been on Eliquis almost a year and have no side effects. I take 160mg of sotalol and the combination hasn't caused any problems. 77 year old man 5 feet ten, weigh 215. Have afib episodes twice a month that usually are gone by 36 hours. Increase sotalol by 50% when episodes occur. Very minor ankle swelling.

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I am on Eliquis and you need to be taking Zantac twice a day to help with cramping and also with stomach bleeding. although I have only been taking it for 8 days I feel the effect however my clot is almost gone < to the eye< and blood is starting to flow back into the extremity.

Zantac twice a day, hope this helps

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I have had the same issues as well, add to that fatigue.
Eliquis has been a total package of misery for me, awful crap.

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In response to Eliquis, I'm always dizzy, it does not stop and I feel for you, my doctor said it does not make you that way, I say she's FOS and can't wait to have my mitral valve repaired and be done with it.

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I sometimes wonder about the power of suggestion on this post. I have been on Eliquis for over a year and thought that I had no reactions. However, after reading comments from other users I must admit that I do fart much more than I previously remember doing. I am a stained glass artist and enjoy minor cuts and nicks with regularity. I have seen no unusual bleeding and seem to stop bleeding in my normal time. I take 160mg Sotalol twice daily and do have some side effects from that. My EP shared that old saw "We can always give you more blood, but we can't give you a new brain" as his encouragement for me to go on Eliquis...and it worked, I now use it.

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I just switched from Xarelto to Eliquis (but a lower dose) because of exactly the same symptoms you listed. Geez, there has to be a better option.

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I have been taking eliquis for about 3 weeks. The stomach aches and gas are horrendous. Can't eat and only taking 2.5 mg a day . I was better off with a regular aspirin than this. Can't eat before we go anywhere because I would need a bathroom. I have a fib but other problems like MGus and one kidney and COPD so the ablation is out of the question. I'm stuck with taking nexium too because of these heartburns. It's just a huge domino effect.

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Re: David (# 3)

My Brother has been on Eliquis for at least 9 months and has had nothing but problems with extreme Bloating nausea vomiting unable to eat or keep anything down no energy pretty much a hermit cannot go or do anything feels like S**t all the time. He Looks horrible has developed breast pain in left and now right breast and you can feel something in the under the skin in the left breast area...He did not have any of this Before taking Eliquis..This medication is HORRIBLE.....

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Down regulation with Beta Blocker could contribute. Personal observation.

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Re: Carol (# 20)

I’m with you. After I eat I have to go to bathroom, 4 times today. Especially out to dinner I had to use restroom twice. It’s embarrassing and painful. I’m getting a second opinion. Eliquis does this snd also enormous fatigue. And I’m usually very active. And my eyes feel runny or foggy. Never had these symptoms before Eliquis. I hate this pill. It’s supposed to be forAFIB But not sure I have AFIB

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I have been on Eliquis for 10 days now and have been having daily increasing left chest tightness and a lot of gas and hard burps and shortness of breathe al within 2 hrs of each 5mg twice daily dose.

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I also have been on Eliquis for 3 months, 2x a day, 5mg. I have been extremely bloated, gas, abdominal swelling and stomach pain every single day since taking this med. The dr says these are not symptoms of Eliquis and a stomach CAT scan came back normal. I have put on 8 lbs, which does not make sense to me.
I have been miserable and cannot get to the bottom of these symptoms. I can only surmise it is the Eliquis medication. I have 3 more months to take and can't wait to come off to see if Im right.

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Did you ever find out if the Eliquis was the contributor to the stomach issues??? I have been having the exact same problem ever since I started taking it. Its the worst feeling in my gut, a feeling I’ve never felt before. Ive been on Eliquis for 3 months and been to the doctor 3 times now for the stomach issues. It is the only medication I have been on this last 3 months. They do not know and said the Eliquis wouldn’t cause that.

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Eliquis is superior. The choice is yours. It is nice that there are alternatives. As a side bar, show me a drug that has no side effects and it will have no activity. I have been taking Eliquis for over 3 years. It is certainly better than a stroke.

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You might look at the Beta Blockers for all those problems, particularly the swelling and bloating. They are known for that.

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I've been on eloquis 3 months for bloodclots,,the swelling in my stomach is so bad,I'm scared to eat,it doubles the feeling of pressure ,gas x doesnt help,I have copd,and the pressure from my belly,feels like it pushes against my lungs,,,and brain seems so foggy,,, help?

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Been using Eliquist for over 3 years, was diagnosed with Factor V Leiden mutation, 2.5mg/twice/day, can't take Xeralto makes stomach hurt, my only side effects are swollen left & right feet when sitting for a time, and extreme bloating (have stretch marks on stomach side). Would love to find out if the many natural blood thinners couldn't substitute like baby aspirin, ginger, Vit. E, Ginkgo Biloba, clove oil, and others. Besides it would be nice not to pay the exorbitant price of Eliqist. Americans are gypped by big pharma on Eliquist and many other drugs.

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