ELIQUIS AND SURGERY

[DeborahKelly]

Hi. I'm Debbie. I have AF, COPD, HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AND SLEEP APNEA. MY CARDIOLOGIST, JUST PUT ME ON ELIQUIS. I WAS ON XERALTO 1ST, BUT I HAD A BLEEDING ISSUE. I'M HAVING A COLONOSCOPY MAY 1ST. JUST WONDERING WHEN SHOULD I STOP THE ELIQUIS?

[Bagrat]

Sounds like this is something for you to raise with both surgeon doing the exam and your cardiologist. If you are fortunate they will agree on a plan. I'm sure people will relay what happened in their experience but this may not be suitable plan for you. Hope all goes well wendy b

[KipperJohn]

This seems quite a common question on this forum - my view is that your surgeon should seek the advice of your cardiologist or EP as in my experience there isn't much understanding yet of drugs like Apixaban generally when invasive procedures are necessary.

When I had my ablations I was told to miss one dose - same for a tooth extraction. For a biopsy of the prostate I was off it for 3 days.

It really must be a clinical decision made after considering all the patient's various issues and medical history.

Hope you get good advice.

[Gabra in reply to KipperJohn]

I'm on low dose of Xarelto/rivaroxaban, 20mg daily. My dentist consulted hospital, but nothing wrong happened - normal bleeding after molar extraction, up to 20 minutes. This drug I tolerate well, never used another anti-coagulant. I think Debbie shouldn't worry - doctors have her records, they probably will say her when to stop the drug in a right time for it.

[irene75359]

I had a colonoscopy a few months ago and pushed for bridging cover when I had to stop warfarin. I was given Fragmin to self inject (no problem and not painful) so I had full cover. So I would agree with the others - get advice from the professionals and push for bridging cover if you feel uneasy. Best of luck, and let us know how you get on.

[Sebhel]

As KipperJohn says, you must get advice from your EP, (but it may be difficult to contact them as they are so busy - you may have to locate his clinic's nurse first)

Not just for reassurance for you but you MUST ask your EP to contact, advise and update your surgeon before your operation!

Whilst the risks are minute, they are still worrying.

Because its not just the risk of bleeding, there is is also apparently very "small" risk of clotting when you stop taking Eliquis?

I too take Eliquis. Years ago I had occasional short bleeding episodes, but then for one week the bleeding did not stop! I panicked, and went to A&E... Just then the bleeding stopped... Then as my long awaited appointment at the EP clinic was due, I went, taking a letter from my local hospital colorectal dept. My EP told me to stop taking the Eliquis and said he would reply to the letter. But between my appointments and the letters and replies, delays and confusion about Eliquis and me waiting for a decision... Time passed... about a year! The serious bleeding meanwhile had ceased. (Just occasional small bleeds)

My next EP appointment came up and he was shocked that I had been off Eliquis for a year, so he promptly put me back on it. He wrote another letter which I took by hand! My local hospital then said to wait till things got worse.

My advice is to get your EP involved which I did, make sure the letters are getting through, which I failed to do and most important to make sure there is no confusion, which I also failed to do... Both letters were misunderstood! Nowadays more is known about Eliquis.

Best Wishes

Sebhel

[Buffafly]

You will be advised what to do re anticoagulation before the procedure. Your hospital will have a protocol. I had to stop taking Rivaroxaban before the colonoscopy. If you are not happy about missing a day or two you will need to contact the hospital department responsible for your procedure.

[Buffafly]

Forgot to say a CT colonoscopy is possible, that is what I had in the end because the Dr decided it would be unsafe to do the usual one as I had had an abscess recently.

[Dodie117]

I had colonoscopy a couple of years ago and did not have to come off. When i asked about this i was told that if they saw anything that needed investigation and a biopsy they would bring me back for another appointment. If a biopsy was necessary then i would have to come off. Thankfully it was not necessary.

I believe some doctors want you to come off as if they find anything that needs biopsy they prefer do that right away. That is my memory of the exp!anation.