New tablet advice

[MazzyB]

I’ve been contacted to ask if i want to go on Apixaban rather than warfarin i have said yes to this, is anyone else on on this tablet please?

[Hidden]

I take rivaroxaban which is once daily but apixaban is twice daily but a benefit of the modern tablets is there's no inr monitoring all the time and you only need blood tests now and again so I think apixaban is better than warfarin but it's entirely up to you if you want to change or not.

[MazzyB in reply to Hidden]

Great thanks 😊

[Pontlottyn]

Get on with it, the modern drugs are much easier to handle I

I had side effects with riveroxaban but changed to apixoban easily. Twice a day, again easy

[MazzyB in reply to Pontlottyn]

Great thanks 😊

[Steve0203]

I've been on Warfarin for 17 years and yes there are benefits from other more modern medication [fewer blood tests etc] but, if like me you require Cortisone injections not many of the newer drugs have been signed off against other medication. Warfarin has been around for years with no known side affects.

[CH11]

I’ve been on apixaban since February following a DVT, can’t say I have anything to compare it to but i haven’t had any issues and it’s straight forward, two tablets a day.

[MazzyB]

Thanks everyone

[moo196]

I didn't want to change. Newer drug, less known, more potential unknown problems. No easy antidote in case of emergency as far as I know. You can choose.

[MazzyB in reply to moo196]

Here what your saying but I really want to change, thanks.

[Hullensian]

I have been taking this drug for a few years now. Due to there being no antidote for stomach or brain bleeds, the only advice from me is to ensure you are careful what activities you undertake; that you most definitely wear a helmet if you cycle; you ensure your dentist is aware of the drug; that you think about wearing an "ID" medical bracelet/band, just in case you are involved in an accident. But, live, live, live, the life you enjoy

[MazzyB in reply to Hullensian]

Thank you so much.

[Wilfie]

If you are doing well and have no problems on warfarin don’t change. I call the new anticoagulants The Devil’s Pharma as they have so many horrible side effects, stomach problems, numbness and pain in legs and feet, weakness, muscle loss, insomnia, bleeding, cramps, anaemia, those are just a few that I suffer from. They have not been properly trialled on older women. I believe women need smaller dose than men but we are just given the same dose.

[MazzyB in reply to Wilfie]

Sorry it’s done now but feel ok which is good. Thanks

[cruisa]

I've been taking Apixaban for a few years now, with no problems. 😊

[MazzyB in reply to cruisa]

Yes getting on ok thanks 😊

[Meerykat]

My elderly mother had been on Warfarin for 30 years for AF with no problems other than inconvenience of INR testing. A hospital admission for a separate issue resulted in her being discharged on Apixaban. About 10 months later she needed a tooth extraction and was required to miss a couple of doses. Sadly one week later she suffered a stroke and died. I wish she had never changed over from warfarin. I feel the main reason for changing people over is to save money by eliminating the need to take INRs.

[BigRedDBA in reply to Meerykat]

Very sorry about your mother. The overall risk of a stroke in a year even for those at highest risk and taking no medicine is only 8.4% however, compared with 2.7% with treatment.

As far as cost is concerned, I believe a blood test is costed at £38 and warfarin at £1.08 a month. Apixaban is around £53 a month, so warfarin is still cheaper.

[MazzyB in reply to BigRedDBA]

Thanks for that it’s really helpful.

[MazzyB]

Really sorry to hear this! The change has happened now though! I too have to have a small operation next week I have to have a biopsy, hope I will be ok.

[Meerykat]

Mazzy, you could ask if it’s imperative you come of Apixaban for a minor procedure. The dentist, when weighing up what to do, said to my mother that an alternative to coming off her Apixaban would be to put a couple of stitches in her gum following tooth extraction. However, unfortunately she opted for the missed doses of Apixaban.

I don’t know if being covered with Heparin injections would be an option whilst off your Apixaban. You could always investigate this. I would certainly ask how they intend to protect you whilst off the Apixaban. Best wishes.

[MazzyB]

Thanks