Eliquis Forums

Recently active Eliquis forums and community discussion threads. Post your question or story about Eliquis and connect with others who have experience with the same medications. No registration is required and your identity remains anonymous.

Popular Threads

muscle/nerve ache with Eliquis and Niacin or statin 206 REPLIES
Procedure for stopping Eliquis and going back to Aspirin 188 REPLIES
Extreme fatique, joint pain, muscle weakness with Eliquis for AFIB 109 REPLIES
Eliquis and Weight: I Need The Truth 102 REPLIES
Odor of eliminations while taking Eliquis 85 REPLIES

Recently Active Discussions

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Today I am speaking with my hemotologist about switching from Xarelto to Eliquis. Xarelto has caused me, a runner with a very slim diet, to gain almost 14 pounds in 4 weeks. 7 of those pounds in the last two weeks. I need to know of any serious weight gain issues with Eliquis. Doctors always swear that the side effects listed are the only ones but I was never told by my doctor nor the literature that Xarelto causes abnormal weight gain either. Google had to tell me that after yesterday's terrible weigh-in. I'm looking for absolute candor. I am 34 and female and I'd be taking it for PE. Thanks. ## Anytime you want to know all possible side effects, it's best to ask a pharmacist, visit a site like this, or research it on your own. Doctor's aren't trained as much in...

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I am a 76 year old man with afib. My EP suggested Eliquis and gave me a 30 day free sample. I have used it and am on my first 90 day refill. After reading all of the comments on this web site I was reluctant to try Eliquis. As of now I have had no side effects. I am about 5' 10" and weigh 215. I spend 20 minutes on the treadmill and 30 minutes in an exercise routine daily. If I notice any adverse side effects as time goes by I will repost on this site. ## Hello, Newport Jim! How are you? Thank you for the helpful post! Not everyone has problems taking Eliquis, it's just that those that day are usually the ones hunting up a site like this to discuss the problems. The millions of people that take any given medication, without a problem, are rarely online discussing their posit...

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66 yr old male, 5'11", 191 lbs. Exercise daily. Prescribed 5MG Eliquis x 2 day. Since starting approximately 3 weeks ago I have become extremely depressed to the verge of crying. Never been like this before and I contribute this depression to the drug. Also very lethargic which I contribute to Eliquis. Anyone with similar reaction? Was on a aspirin and I think I should return. I suspect this depression to be directly linked to the drug. ## Hello Abel! How are you? I'm very sorry about the way you're feeling. Yes, depression can be a side effect of this medication, as listed by the FDA. You may also experience nausea, dizziness, headache, increased risk of bleeding and easy bruising. If it is that severe, then yes, you should most likely consult your doctor about stopping...

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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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My mother had multiple pulmonary emblisions in both lungs, age 77. She takes Eliquis 5mg twice a day, which I believe should always be written "Take 1 tablet every 12 hours". Her doctor has her go off of it for 2 days prior to get blood tests, every 6 months I've read stopping it suddenly can cause a stroke..WHY is the doctor insisting on this? ## The blood work is normal, due to the risk to your kidneys, someone taking Eliquis should have their levels checked at least once a year, having her stop it for two days, before, may also be due to a possible bleeding issue, though only her doctor can answer that question for sure. Eliquis may cause other side effects, such as nausea, dizziness, headache, and easy bruising. Ref: Eliquis Information Is she also on other medications?

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I was on Eliquis for 4 PEs and 1 DVT for roughly 6 months. I had a CT scan and ultrasound that verified they were gone and my doctor took me off Eliquis. 2 weeks later I was rushed to ER by ambulance. Heart attack and Saddle PE and large DVT in right leg. In 2 weeks time I got a Saddle PE and another clot in my leg. Now I will be on Eliquis for the rest of my life. BTW: Embolectomy was not fun. Very painful. ## Wow! That's a lot of clotting problems, I am so glad you're still here to make this post. Unfortunately, this has been known to happen, sometimes, and usually does require lifelong medication to help prevent more occurrences. The FDA lists the most common side effects of Eliquis as possibly including nausea, dizziness, headache, joint/muscle aches, and increased risk of b...

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The neck stiffness started while on Xarelto. After switching to Eliquis is the pain spread throughout my body. Into my back, my hips, my legs, the back of my knees, just throughout my whole body. I cannot sleep at night nor can I hardly move during the day. I am desperately looking for an alternative to any of these blood thinners. it seems like no one can really give me the correct combinations off supplements. I am open for any suggestions. thank you so very much! ## Hello, Sam! How are you? There really is no combination of supplements that can be guaranteed to work. Some are known to cause blood thinning, but no testing has been done to show that they are as effective as actual drugs used for that purpose. Have you ever tried Warfarin/Coumadin? Many people manage to take it, without...

34 REPLIES Updated

I was having extreme fatigue, joint pain, muscle weakness after starting Eliquis and started to having black stool with nausea and abdominal pain. I gradually reduced the dose until no longer taking Eliquis nor ever will. It really put a fear in me. Asprin works for me via my AFIB. I can tell if my blood is too thick when my heart is working hard to pump the blood out of my heart. I feel much better when my heart is pumping normally when the blood is thinner. You sometimes have to insist to your doctor the side effects you are feeling, this is a fairly new medication. Anyone else have these side effects? ## Yes, you are not the first person to post about these types of problems with it. If the Aspirin is working well for you, then it is likely a good idea to stick with it, unless your d...

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I have been taking eliquis for 2 months for pe, having back pain, blurred vision, weakness and a clenched jaw. Any suggestions? Anyone else with those symptoms? ## Hello, Denis! How are you? Yes, those have all been reported side effects of this medication, by users and the FDA. You may also experience nausea, headache and easy bruising. If the issues are severe, you may want to speak to your doctor as it may not be the right medication for you to take. Is there anything else I can help with? ## Thanks verwon, going to see the doctor tomorrow, my back pain getting worse any recommendations on a cream or anything that can lessen the back pain ## I have really healthy eyes and never had blurry vision at all. I was recently diagnosed with a DVT and was placed on Eliquis. I started noticing...

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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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A very large blood clot behind my left knee resulted in several blood clots in each lung. My vascular clinic rolled me directly to the ER and once stabilized I was sent to cardiology. 3 days later I proved I could give myself shots so was released and ultimately put on warfarin. Three weeks later my pancreas was shutting down and my cardiologist immediately weaned me off to start Eliquis. It has been fine as far as my tummy is concerned but like others writing their experience I have put on about 10 pounds in 2 months. I am so stiff when I get up in the morning I just want to get to my recliner and sit down. I sleep a lot and have no desire to so much as make my bed. I am definitely fighting depression. In fairness I think the depression is from this 72 year old who looks 59 and proud o...

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I started taking Eliquis a few weeks ago, my biggest complaint is insomnia! Anyone else have the same problem and if you did, what did you do, what did you take to fall asleep? I've tried Tylenol PM - seem to have to take 2-3 to fall asleep. My doctor suggested Melatonin, I bought the 10mg, that didn't work either... Any suggestions? ## Hello, Charlie! How are you? I'm sorry about the problem you're having. Has there been any improvement, yet? Most side effects are transient and will go away in time, once your body gets used to a medication, but that can take 4 to 5 weeks. As reported by MedlinePlus, other typical side effects for Eliquis may include nausea, headache, trouble breathing, increased risk of bleeding and easy bruising. [1] Have you tried avoiding caffeine an...

18 REPLIES Updated

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...

188 REPLIES Updated

have used this here in the u.k for 4 months as I was diagnosed with a.f. 5mgs x2 per day. Wish I had never been given them. So far strange pain in the top of head. stomach cramps. blood in urine. pain in back passage cant sleep more than 3 hours per night. affecting spinal stenosis and arthritis. Recently diagnosed with muscle wasting disease Myasthenia Gravis and I think there is a problem with taking Eliquis and having this condition. ANYONE HAVE PROBLEMS LIKE THIS? oh forgot urine bleeding started after a 5hour flight ## I began Eliquis on thursday evening and within a day began feeling my pulse pounding in my brain and top of the head. Also felt unbalanced, like I might fall over. Also, felt like I had a weight on the top of my head. Stopped taking it yesterday morning and began war...

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My boyfriend began taking Eliquis in March for AFIB. (He is 68.) Right away he wasn't himself. He gets short of breath dozens of times a day now when he didn't before. Even going upstairs is a problem. He needs to exercise because of his peripheral arterial disease, and he can't because he becomes so short of breath. He was walking for an hour and a half at a time. He gets short of breath so often that it scares him and me. The doctor said that Eliquis can't cause this. He wouldn't take him off of it, so my boyfriend continued to struggle. About three weeks ago my boyfriend had an epic nosebleed that we had to go to the E.R. for. In treating the nosebleed, they stopped his Eliquis. Lo and behold no more shortness of breath. When he had his follow up with the cardiolo...

76 REPLIES Updated

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 ...

12 REPLIES Updated

Since Eliquis skyrocketed by 500% this year to $600 out of pocket and my Rx plan won't make an exception for a more reasonable price, my Dr. is recommending Xarelto which is significantly lower ($112.50) than Eliquis. However, I am concerned that Xarelto may have a greater potential for bleeding. I am very active and have had no problems with Eliquis after ablation for AFIB over a year ago. Should I make the switch or try filling my prescription for Eliquis online from Canada at half the price? ## it is not legal to fill it outside the U.S. And yes, you can safely switch from one to the other, if your doctor approves. The FDA lists the typical side effects as possibly including nausea, dizziness, headache, increased risk of bleeding, and stomach irritation. Is there anything else I ...

6 REPLIES Updated

My VA PA has changed my prescription for DVT from Xarelto 20mg to Eliquis 5 mg because of my age (78)...The Eliquis calls for 1 tablet twice daily...I am having joint pain at night...can I just take a baby aspirin as a blood thinner and get a blood test once a month..? I do not want to take these potent blood thinners for the rest of my life considering the side effects... ## Hello, Larry! How are you? For the best results you should take the medication your doctor has prescribed. The joint pain can be a normal side effect of it, according to the FDA, you may also experience nausea, dizziness, headache, and easy bruising. Are you on any other medications? ## I got them to move me from Eliquis to Xarelto and did somewhat better. I am now on a much lower dose as my provoked blood clot is ...

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

82 REPLIES Updated

Can I cut a 5mg eliquis in half, instead of getting the 2.5mg ones? I need to reduce the dosage after a successful ablation. Please comment. Thanks! ## Can I split a 10 mg pill of Eliquis in half? ## Does the tablet have a score line? It appears that the Eliquis tablets are film coated according to what I see on DailyMed. If there's no score line then I would not recommend it. ## Eliquis does not come in a 10 mg. tablet, just 2.5 and 5 mg. 2nd Eliquis is not scored, 3rd Eliquis is not film coated, just a simple compressed tablet. The tablet is so small it would really be difficult to split evenly. ## What did your doctor tell you to do? If he/she told you to decrease your dosage, why can't they give you another Rx? I don't think Eliquis is a drug you can or should cut in hal...

7 REPLIES Updated
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