Fainting on apixiban

[Cotton50]

My partner has been taking Apixiban for 18 months after being diagnosed with a blood clot on his lung. He has been fine on this drug apart from the fact he has had a couple of fainting attacks. The only common denominator is he has had a couple of pints, and has got up from bed to go to the toilet when the faints have happened! He goes down with such a crash and then feels very hit and clammy. Has anyone else had a similar experience whilst on this drug.

[Hidden]

I'm on rivaroxaban, and have been having just this issue for the last few weeks - dizzy spells while lying in bed and on getting up. I went to the doctor yesterday, who diagnosed labyrinthitis and said to come back if it didn't resolve within three weeks; she also prescribed me a tablet to help, but sadly, the patient information leaflet says not to take it if you have a history of blood clots, so as soon as I can get back to the doctor, it will be back to the drawing-board (I don't blame her - who could possibly expect her to remember the contraindications of every tablet she prescribes?). Anyway, the point is, it may be something as simple as that, and worth going to the doctor about, just to check (and do check if they want to prescribe you something!).

[Asdan05 in reply to Hidden]

I’ve been on apixaban since May ‘18 and have had a bottle of beer or two at weekends or on special occasions. No problems but I drink a lot of water to counteract any dizziness from dehydration. Also had labyrinthitis and didn’t have any reason to think there was anything prescribed which would be problematic. Keep off green veg was the only advice given. Think you should pursue these fainting episodes though and ask for a specialist referral ASAP as it’s happened more than once.

[Hullensian in reply to Hidden]

Hi, do you get your prescriptions from a "regular" pharmacist? My pharmacist picks up mine prescription from my GP each month and when I was prescribed a "new" drug and read the contraindications which stated it would clash with one of my other drugs, I spoke with the pharmacist who double-checked it was OK as I was on low doses. However, what is interesting is the information he gave me, ie that when he loads prescriptions into his system should drugs interact a "red" warning appears. Don't know if this is only when he is listing under particular customer's name, or if this is standard. Maybe an idea to check with both your GP and your pharmacist.

[daisyd]

See your Doctor this needs to be discussed with a medical professional, I would call

Them today

[rosyG]

No, and never heard that from anyone else who is on Apixaban- it is common after drinking alcohol though

[Cotton50 in reply to rosyG]

Thank you Rosy, I have not heard of this however the first fainting spell took place a week after my partner was prescribed Apixiban so I think there is a possible link. I am no medical expert but Apixiban thins the blood, alcohol also does this therefore possibly a combination of both may cause a faint. Or the combination cause a dip in blood pressure which in turn may cause a faint. Or indeed I may be totally wrong and it could be something else. We have been to the GP since I posted, the Doctor has advised blood tests for next week, but did say fainting is a difficult one to successfully get to the bottom of.

[rosyG in reply to Cotton50]

Hi

Anti coagulants don’t really thin the blood they just delay clotting slightly. Mention this in case it helps you see what cause if fainting is.

[Cotton50 in reply to rosyG]

Thank you Rosy. Your reply leads me to think 🤔 possibly no connection to Apixiban and fainting then.

We are seeing a Vascular Consultant at end of January so maybe he will be able to help us find an answer. Although only a faint it is very scary when it happens especially in the light of what has gone before (blood clot)

Thank you all for replying to

my post.

[rosyG]

It could be alcohol - I think you mentioned that, I’ve heard a doctor talking about this and he said people faint when get up to the loo at night if they have been drinking. I can’t remember the details properly of how this happens. Maybe blood pressure has dropped too much because of alcohol.

[Smythian]

Hi,

I have been taking Apixaban for three years now without any side affects. This includes alcohol consumption so I hope that you manage to identify the cause of your fainting episodes. God luck!

[Cotton50 in reply to Smythian]

Thank you Smythian, The more I read the more I am coming to think probably not Apixiban. Evidently there is a connection between emptying the bladder (which I suppose will be quite full after2 pints 🍻🤭) and fainting so I would think it is probably all linked to that and blood pressure. We have asked for a review anyway, as to whether he should stay in Apixiban or not which should take place in the coming weeks.

[Hullensian]

Hi, I have got a response from you in my "Chat" box but I can't access it, just know that you are asking if I get my prescription from a regular pharmacist. I use the same pharmacist all the time, I completed some forms a couple of years ago and the pharmacist just contacts my GP surgery on my behalf, picks up the prescription - I think although it may be done electronically now - and I pop into the chemist's once a month to pick up my meds. So convenient.

[Cotton50 in reply to Hullensian]

Sorry I have not sent you a message, it must be from someone else on here.