Warfarin to Rivaroxaban

[Billyt47]

Any advise please on side affects or changes of coming off of Warfarin after 6 years and going onto Rivaroxaban

[Rellim296]

Are you considering this or doing it?

In my view (because I found Warfarin a challenge and a complete millstone round the neck) it is a giant step forwards and it has made my life so much easier and altogether better.

I noticed no side effects except change of mood from constantly irritated to ecstatically happy. I don't find the lack of antidote a worry.

You have to let your INR drop before you can start taking Rivaroxaban.

You also need to choose the time of day you take Rivaroxaban. It has to be taken with food. There was a comment from someone who takes it at night that it has started to wear off a bit by the time you are up and about and more prone to having an accident. I take it with breakfast because if you forget (and you should try not to do so) you can take it later on.

Good luck!

[Hidden in reply to Rellim296]

Can you remember how low you have to drop your INR before starting Rivoroxaban please and is it just taken once aday? Are some of the NOAC's taken twice a day?

Sandra

[Rellim296 in reply to Hidden]

If I remember rightly it should be under 2.0. I stopped taking Warfarin about 36 hours before I started Rivaroxaban.

Yes, Rivaroxaban is just once a day. There is another NOAC which is twice a day, and I think one has a lower dose for people who weigh less than 60kgs.

I'm very happy with Rivaroxaban as it is so uncomplicated and I've had no problems at all.

[PeterWh]

As a first choice contact your local anticoagulation service or if not your EP or if not then your GP about changing because at least some of the changes can be overlapped (ie for a number of days both are taken). I don't know if it's true for warfarin to rivaroxaban. Apixaban is taken twice a day. In my case EP wanted me to have apixaban because of this but different eps have different ideas and my EP certainly appeared to make the decision patient by patient.

[Beancounter Volunteer]

Hi Billy

Personally? I had some stomach problems when I switched, but that's because I eat very little in the evening when I take the tablets, and it's really important with Rivaroxaban to take them literally with food, especially when you start.

Now I just swallow the tab, try to do it around food time, but not always possible.

Be well

Ian

[gwyn53]

I'm glad you mentioned the food thing.

I wasn't old when I first went onto it.

I had AF in June and was put directly onto rivaoxaban and bisoplol.

I first got really bad indigestion. Then I saw a locum Dr and was told to oonly take with good. Better since.

I just get really tired.

Good luck.

[shirljo]

I've just been put on Rivoroxaban and wasn't told about taking it with food, so I take it before I go to bed - should I change to taking it at breakfast time? I've not had any side affects though!

thank goodness for this site and all the questions/ answers we can tackle!

[Beancounter Volunteer in reply to shirljo]

Hi Shirljo

Yes Rivaroxaban should be taken with food, it does say this in the leaflet which comes with it, although like you, my GP did not mention it. It's not so much about the side effects as how it is absorbed. Full details here

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/234...

As for changing when you take it, check with your GP if he/she actually knows

Be well

Ian

[Kimmieblue]

Hi there

I too have just started Rivaroxaban, changed from Warfarin after nearly four years.

I seem to be ok, the information leaflet inside the box worried me I must say, but I got a great response from the wonderful people on this site with so much advice.

It's been only six days but I've tried not to worry, this AF is so unpredictable, it maddens me.

Best regards.

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