Apixaban

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Apixaban, sold under the brand name Eliquis, is an anticoagulant medication used to treat and prevent blood clots and to prevent stroke in people with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation through directly inhibiting factor Xa.[4][5][6] Specifically it is used to prevent blood clots following hip or knee replacement and in those with a history of prior clots.[4][6] It is used as an alternative to warfarin and does not r...

After two years on apixaban I have developed an itchy rash. It's subsurface and is most intense around my waist. My doctor wants me to change to xarelto. I am delaying starting another blood thinner until the rash subsides. Can anyone share their experience with these symptoms and their solution ? Thanks. ## While this medication is listed by the FDA as causing a rash as a side effect, or as a possible allergic reaction, it is odd that it would appear after 2 years of taking it, though we are all different, and I am not a doctor. How long have you been off of it, now? There is a chance of your experiencing rebound effects, such as blood clots, if you stop it abruptly, without switching to a different medication, according to NIH warnings, so it is best to be careful and follow your ...

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I have been taking Apixaban for PE's for nearly 2 years now thinking that it was great as Warfarin was unreliable and had to have too many blood tests. I am 56 and have now put on a lot of weight but didn't realize that this drug can cause this. My lifestyle hasn't changed very much so I couldn't understand why I was putting on weight. Also at night when sleeping my arm on the opposite side of how I'm sleeping also goes numb and I wonder if this can have anything to do with the drug too, as well as feeling really tired all the time. Is there an alternative as I really am feeling depressed about my weight? ## I am on Apixaban and I am having a very dry mouth and have to drink water the whole night. I talked to my doctor and he says it's because of the medicine and...

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I haven't started using Eliquis, yet although it's been prescribed for my atrial flutter problem, but I've read some rather disturbing stories from people who have used it. Naturally I'd like to hear more from others about what to expect, and what reasonable alternatives may have been found with fewer or no adverse effects. ## I’ve been on Eliquis for over 2 years with no problems. Maybe you should check if you’re taking them with other meds that might interfere with them. ## The typical side effects of Eliquis may include nausea, headache, easy bruising, and increased risk of bleeding. You should take it, as prescribed by your doctor, and make sure to keep all regularly schedule doctor's appointments for monitoring of your condition. Are you on any other...

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Apixaban

Apixaban, sold under the brand name Eliquis, is an anticoagulant medication used to treat and prevent blood clots and to prevent stroke in people with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation through directly inhibiting factor Xa.[4][5][6] Specifically it is used to prevent blood clots following hip or knee replacement and in those with a history of prior clots.[4][6] It is used as an alternative to warfarin and does not r...

Hi all, Newbie here after being put on Apixaban after a bout of aFib. My question is fairly simple. How many of you have gotten into competitive sport that has some sort of risk? A little bit more about me. Previous heart attack, cardiac arrest 5 years ago. First bout of aFib was somewhat of a surprise as I regularly do long distance runs up to 50km plus play competitive field sports. ## Hello, Greg! How are you? Does your doctor feel it is safe for you to engage in such activities? As I'm sure you're aware, there is a risk of possibly dangerous bleeding, if you are injured, and also an increased risk of severe bruising, while on it, according to FDA warnings. Ref: Medline Plus Eliquis Other side effects may include headache, fatigue, and joint/muscle aches. Are you on any other...

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Anyone know how to safely get off eliquis and back on just aspirin? ## Hi cynthia, Depending on how long you've been on Eliquis (Apixaban) for, I think it would be wise to talk to your doctor about developing some sort of tapering schedule that reduces any risk of serious withdrawal symptoms. According to ucsd.edu, apparently Eliquis comes with a "black box warning label" regarding its withdrawals in patients with A-Fib (atrial fibrillation); with some articles stating that Eliquis may trigger a stroke if suddenly stopped. So working closely with your doctor to avoid that risk seems to me like it should be first priority. Does anyone else here have personal experience coming off Eliquis who can offer some pointers on what to expect? ## Hi Cynthia I have also come off Elequis...

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how long does it take for eliquis to get in your system once you start taking it? ## Hi Kelvinator, According to The University of Washington Medical Center, Eliquis (Apixaban) reportedly starts working in your body to reduce blood clots within just a few hours after ingesting your first dose. So it doesn't seem to take very long at all in that regard. The way it is said to work is by blocking the action of a substance in the body that helps clots form. But if you were to stop taking it, Eliquis's effect will supposedly wear off within about 24 hours after your last dose. I hope this helps answer your question! ## My mother was on Elequis for 2 years before l researched the drug after terrible side affects. She stopped the drug 2 years ago but still has the terrible swollen legs...

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Does ANYONE know if you can eat grapefruit while in Eliquis. NOBODY seems to be able to give me an answer! ## According to Poison Control you should avoid grapefruit while taking Eliquis: "You can take Eliquis® (apixaban) with or without most foods. You should avoid grapefruit, grapefruit juice, marmalades, limes, and pomelos while you are taking Eliquis®. These fruits prevent the breakdown of apixaban and may increase side effects." Source: ## Thank you Roy! How hard could it have been for my doctor, even for Eliquis' manufacturer, to either tell me or point me to this article? ## You're very welcome! And yes, apparently too hard for them lol ## :) Thanks again

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Hi everyone, I have lone PAF diagnosed 10&1/2 years ago. I was started on flecainide intravenously in hospital and as it worked well and I tolerated it I was discharged with tablet form. I also take lansoprazole (for acid) and last 9 months Apixaban (blood thinner). My Afib has been very well controlled and flecainide has worked wonders. I had the occasional Afib breakthrough every couple years but that is all. I don't drink but over ate big time at Christmas. It's my usual treat as I go to weight watchers. On 27th December I went into Afib lasting 18&1/2 hours. Hadn't had it like that since being diagnosed and have only had about 7 breakthroughs since and not lasting more than 8 hours at the longest. It stopped on its own and 7 days later I went into Afib again but ...

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My mother has been on Eliquis for several months. Lately she complains of leg muscles that get tired and she can not walk. She is alo having dizziness and can't sleep. She is 86 and has afib. ## Hi Connie, Sorry to hear about your mother's condition. Based on my research, the drug monograph for Eliquis (apixaban) does list "dizziness" as well as "swelling or joint pain" as possible side effects. Has she reported experiencing any type of pain when her legs get tired from walking? The FDA actually recommends telling your doctor if you have any kind of side effect(s) that bother you or do not go away. So that sounds like it may be her best bet when it comes to taking the next step for assistance in the matter. Perhaps the doctor may suggest trying something else and...

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Drinking on Eliquis can cause bleeding, is drinking five or six drinks in one night worse than drinking one drink, every night? ## can you have an occasional drink while on eliquis? ## @John and Sandi, According to drug interaction reports from two different webpages, including umm.edu, there are no drug interactions listed between Alcohol and Eliquis (apixaban). That said, if you are concerned about any potential discrepancies, I would encourage you to contact your doctor first in order to make the most informed decision about having alcohol. However in my opinion, using proper judgement for moderation and responsible consumption are always important factors whether you're drinking alcohol by itself or with any meds. I hope this helps! ## Eliquis a blood thinner is a "NARROW TH...

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I’ve been told I can discontinue sintrom after taking it for three weeks the cardiologist said I can stop it and start taking eliquis 5 mg I thought you had to wean off sintrom but worried about ingesting another coagulant while sintrom is still in my system shall I wait five days of not taking a anticoagulant ie sintrom before starting the eliquis (Apixaban) ?

Since starting Eliquis, I have felt much stiffer and sore in the mornings and during the day with muscle tightness in my neck and back affecting my upper arms. A general sense of early aging that is unpleasant. Anyone else with these symptoms? ## Hi Larry, Based on my research, the following symptoms are listed as serious side effects of Eliquis (apixaban) that should be reported to your doctor immediately: -numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness (especially in your legs & feet) -loss of movement in any part of your body. -joint pain or swelling Do you think that the muscle tightness could possibly be related to any of the side effects mentioned above? You can learn more about this drug on the page for Eliquis Details I hope this info helps! ## Thanks, my tightness and swelling is i...

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I am to receive an epadureal amd the doctor wants me to stop yaking the drug four days before the procedure. Is this safe? ## Hi John, According to an 'important warning' from the US National Library of Medicine, apparently the risk of having a blood clot form in or around your spine (that could cause you to become paralyzed) is increased if you have an epidural while taking blood thinning medications such as Apixaban (Eliquis). Ref: nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a613032.html This is probably why your doctor wants you to stop taking Eliquis several days before hand, to ensure that this risk factor is minimized as much as possible. Although I would still encourage you to discuss it in more detail with him/her before undergoing the procedure just to be on the safe side. Ho...

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After an ablation I had a monitor on for 30 days. The doctor said I had Afib and put me on 100 mg of flecainide twice a day plus 5 mg of eliquis twice a day. I seem to be having constipation problems. Plus blood in rectal area which could be from something else as I have had that problem before. ## Hi Nancy, Sorry to hear about your situation. From what I could gather, "red or black, tarry stools" are listed as a side effect of Eliquis (Apixaban) on medlineplus.gov. "Black, tarry stools" + "constipation" + "blood in the urine or stools" are all listed as side effects of Flecainide on nih.gov. It sounds to me like either medication could potentially be the culprit, but I would encourage you to contact your doctor about this just to be on the safe side. Hop...

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I hate to be indelicate but I have noticed something strange since taking Eliquis. My urine and bowel movements smell different and I wondered if anyone else had noticed this. I would describe it as sort of a toasted oaty fragrance. I am not making this up or being weird. I am concerned and hope I am not along. ## Oh my goodness YES, it does have an odd smell. ## NIH.gov actually lists the following side effects associated with Eliquis (Apixaban): red, brown, or pink urine; red or black, tarry stools. However nothing in particular about its smell. Has anyone else experienced these odd colors in their urine/stool or think that this may be attributing to the different smell in some way? In either case I would suspect it's more than likely Eliquis that's causing the problem if you...

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I started eliquis 5 days ago and feel dizzy every day- does it eventually go away? ## Hello, Mollie! How are you? Yes, it is usually a transient side effects that goes away with time, as reported by the FDA. You may also experience nausea, dizziness, headache, increased risk of bleeding and easy bruising. Is there anything else I can help with? ## Thank you so much for your response, which I find encouraging - I will be so relieved when the dizziness goes away! ## I was placed on Apixaban for AFib after being on Apirin for 10 years. Since then I have suffered dizziness, headache and sickness. I consulted my Doctor and he suggested that I stop taking Apixaban and return to Asirin that had served me well for so long. I am awaiting the outcome. These tablets just didn't work for me.

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I have osteoarthritis in my spine, knees and hips and have recently developed severe pain in both arms, extending to the fingers on my right hand, worse on getting out of bed in the morning. I was taking Panadol Osteo two three times a day which didn't really help much so my doctor prescribed Mobic. It helps a lot but not completely so am wondering if I should keep taking Panadol Osteo as well as Mobic? Also, is it necessary to have a few days break from Mobic every so often? I take Sotalol for AF, Perindopril for blood pressure, Apixaban as a blood thinner and Carbimazole for hyperthyroidism. I have asked my doctor and pharmacist these questions but am still confused as to what I should safely do even though I have read all the information available. ## Hello, Janice! How are you? ...

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I was taken off of Xarelto and put on Eliquis 2.5mg twice daily. Everything seemed fine. Then my cardiologist increased the dose to 5 mg twice daily because she said I should be on a “regular” dose. Within a day or two, I started with shortness of breath upon the least exertion. Also, I became constiipated. I continued until I became so debilitated that I decided to lower back to the 2.5 dose. By this time, the shortness of breath had a life of its own. Anyone else have this reaction to Eliquis? ## Hi Marilynn, Sorry to hear about your reaction to the medication. Medlineplus.gov lists the following symptoms as side effects of Eliquis (Apixaban): -trouble breathing -wheezing -feeling dizzy or faint Source: medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a613032.html They go on to note that if ...

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