Changing from Warfarin to a NOAC

[linc2u]

Just wondered how best to change from one to the other and is it true that you no longer need to know your INR on the new ones ?

[jennydog]

I was told not to take warfarin the night before my ablation. The next day I was given Pradaxa (dabigatran ). They also gave me an antacid to take for the first 2 months but I stopped this after 6 weeks as Predaxa needs an acid environment.

There is no testing although they did test my kidney function first and I understand that this will be done annually. Right now, after 3+ months everything seems to be Ok.

[BobD Volunteer]

NOACs do not need blood tests as they work in a different way to warfarin. I think annual kidney and liver function tests are a good idea.

Bob

[jayd]

I changed from Warfarin to Apixaban earlier in the year and was told to start the Apixaban once my INR was below 2. No INR checks, and have had absolutely no problems whatsoever on Apixaban so far.

[Therealsue]

My final INR was 1.9 (I was told it should be between 2 and 3 before the change-over, but they let me do it anyway). I took my final warfarin in the evening and started with Apixaban the next morning. That was only last Saturday, but thus far, fingers crossed it's all good.

[AnticoagulateNow]

Yes, just be careful you don't dip too long into the 'less than 2 INR' before you start taking the NOAC. It can happen and wouldn't it be just your luck to get a clot then?

I'm also on Apixaban - the best one - but check with your doctor if you're going onto Rivaroxaban, I think you can go onto that with a higher INR.... but do check.

Enjoy your brocolli........

[saanzale]

I was on Pradaxa (dabigatran) for a year. No problems. Then, for an unrelated reason, I needed surgery, but the surgeon refused to operate because of the Pradaxa. Which was very bad. Then I needed a biopsy, to check for Prostate Cancer, but the oncologist wouldn't do it, because of the Pradaxa. So I took myself off the Pradaxa; had the biopsy; found that I have very aggressive Prostate Cancer, that has now spread so far, it is untreatable. So now I am (very happily) back on Warfarin, and waiting for the cancer to kill me. But I would not recommend anyone to go on any anticoagulant which does not have an antidote.

[Hidden]

I stopped my pradaxa 2 days pre op and started it 2 days post op. No problems this far with it been taking it since April