HI All, I am looking to try an alternate anti-coagulant, possibly Rivaroxaban.

[ferric24]

Have asked my Doctor who now has to consult with her practice partners and the area NHS advisory body first. There is a general reluctance to prescribe this drug which I understand is cost based. Will be Mid-September before I get an answer.

What experience have other members had regarding obtaining prescriptions and any advice or actions taking would be appreciated?

Thanks

Ken

[meadfoot]

Hi Ken,

I have been on Rivaroxaban since Feb this year. I have not experienced any side effects whatsoever. I was most grateful to be taking this drug when I had a huge AFib and SVT attack last month hospitalised for 5 days because of it. The drug did its work lessening the stroke risk for me.

Cost seems to be an issue but my GP prescribed it immediately as soon as it was recommended. You will need to push for it if your GP is dragging their feet. I was prepared for a fight cost wise but didn't need to. I hope you are on an anticoagulant like Warfarin in the meantime. Don't take no for an answer. We pay into the NHS through our national insurance, it is not a free gift. It concerns me how GP practices vary so much. I have a super surgery which I value enormously. Best wishes. Dee.

[moggdog in reply to meadfoot]

hi meadfoot .are you allowed to drink alcohol while taking rivaroxaban. cause im on warfarin at the min.and your not meant to drink

[meadfoot in reply to moggdog]

Hi Ken,

I have read the Rivaroxaban leaflet cover to cover which gives tons of do's and dont's. Nowhere does it mention alcohol. Neither my GP or Pharmacist mentioned it either. I don't drink any alcohol so it was not a question I asked. I am sure your GP or Consultant would advise you.

Thinking about it I have a colleague aged 30 who has been taking the same drug for the past 3 months for deep vein thrombosis problems, he drinks alcohol and has not been advised to avoid it. Regards Dee,

[ferric24]

Thanks Dee, I thought I was alone for a while.

I am on Warfarin with occasional swings in my INR, from1,8 to 4.7 in the last 3 months. At 1.8 the risk of a stroke increases rapidly. Will fight the good fight if required.

Kind regards

Ken.

[scooty]

I was told by the cardiologist that Warfarin has been tried and tested for many years while the alternative drugs have no history so he would prefer to keep to Warfarin. He then went on to say that the local Health Authority would not authorise anyway due to cost! Who do you trust?

[Beancounter Volunteer in reply to scooty]

Hi Scooty

it's very annoying that it is a money based decision, and I have to say personally I've had no problems with warfarin, and if I was offered a free choice I would stick with it due to it's known ability to be reversed.

And that's the main problem with the new ones, there is no immediate reversal agent, but having said that, they have a short "half life" (stay in the body a short time) and also do not need dietary changes or blood testing.

It should reallty be a free decision based on the facts not the money, but we live in a society where regretably medical decisions are made on a costs basis every day

Be well

Ian

[scooty]

Thanks Ian

My GP said it is up to the Cardiologist, so I'm staying on Warfarin unless otherwise advised. But I would agree with you that these decisions should not be based on cost. There is so much wastage in other NHS areas, which needs to be controlled, but where a life threatening event is being treated cost should not enter into it!