Help with new anticoagulant

[Helpneeded877]

I was on warfarin 18 months ago. I've been diagnosed with a condition that will require treatment for life and I work offshore.

The doctor has recommended apixoban

Will I be able to work offshore on this medication ?

[Vony]

Apixaban does not require regular blood monitoring the way warfarin does. Just yearly bloods for liver and kidney function as far as I know. I have been on it for over a year and it hasn't interrupted my life. Best wishes

[Helpneeded877 in reply to Vony]

Thanks . Do you work offshore or in a different industry

[Vony in reply to Helpneeded877]

Haha. No I work as a nurse very much on the ground lol. In terms of monitoring though Apixaban is pretty low maintenance

[10gingercats]

If you worked offshore with Warfarin why do you think Apixaban will be any different?Iguess it will be easier with Apixaban as you do not have to get any blood tests done so as long as you are well stocked with Apixaban tablets and get your 6 monthly liver/kidney blood checks you should be fine.But wait for answers from the wise people on this site to confirm or deny my words.

[Helpneeded877 in reply to 10gingercats]

I was not offshore on warfarin I wasn't able to go offshore because of the bleed risk it's banned what I'm trying to find out is if these new drugs are any different or if anyone on the forum works offshore and is on one of them

[Hidden in reply to Helpneeded877]

Bleed risks just same Warfarin effect easily reversed not case with new ones. Ones that have antidote are about. If it's bleed risk that bars you not sure any better than others. If it's the need for regular INR testing with warfarin then they will be ok. On shore and retired so can only say above. Good luck

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Helpneeded877]

What little bleed risk exists with warfarin also exists with NOACs such as Apixaban. They are much overstated in my opinion. I work with tools of all sorts and build race engines and have been on warfarin for 12 years or more. Never had a problem.

Bob

[CaroleF]

I don't work offshore so can't offer 'inside' knowledge regarding that. However apixaban (and all the other new anticoagulants) still carry a bleed risk though I think I am right in saying that this risk is lower for apixaban than warfarin. No doubt someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

I assume that the Occupational Health people for your firm or industry are the only ones who can comment with authority on this issue.

[Mazza23]

Been on apixaban for 3yrs never had a bleed but don't work off shore

[Goldfish_]

I don't know what the UK criteria are but this is the comment for Norway from 2014

Medication: New anticoagulants will be evaluated as warfarin (two months stable)

These people may be able to answer the question if you phone them

ablemedhealth.co.uk/service...

[Lizzo]

I was on warfarin, but now changed to Pradaxa (Dabigatran). It is easier as I no longer need INR checks, and my doctor put me on this particular NOAC because there is a way of reversing its effects if required. I'm not an offshore worker, though, so can't comment on that aspect.

[dbparsons]

I have been on pradaxa for 5 years, I see a cardiologist annually with urine and blood tests and it hasn't stopped me working overseas, in the last 12 months I have worked in Cambodia 4 months, Mexico 3 months and Sri Lanka 1 month.

I am a consultant so nothing dangerous, but i stay active (walking and swimming)