Memory issue

Has anyone else experience memory issues while on Xarelto (rivaroxaban)? People around me are noticing an increased forgetfulness, like forgetting to turn off the stove after cooking, losing keys, not remembering important milestones in my career. It is the only prescription drug I take. I am 66 and have been on the drug since June 2018 after a DVT.

[BobD Volunteer]

This is not a side effect I have heard of but not a drug I take either. Others may have more experience. I suggest that you discuss with your GP as we are not medically trained here.

[Dawsonmackay]

Absolutely no memory loss. Been on it for two years.

[cassie46]

It is not a known side effect, I have been on it for 5 years. I am 72 and my memory is not what it used to be but I put that down to age. I have stored so much knowledge over the years that it takes time to search through it to find the answers lol !!!!

Cassie

[jimmysouthgates]

I had my 2nd ablation 2 weeks ago, unlike the 1st ablation I had a GA. I was defibrillated during the procedure as I went into AF. They load you with heparin prior to the procedure and been discharged on rivaroxaban. Now, what I have noticed is my memory is bad since the procedure, I'm 38, I'm putting this down to a traumatic event to the body and the GA. I am for sure though experiencing memory loss.

[creschendo]

medscape.com/viewarticle/91...

This article is not related to any particular drug Molly but it points to an increasing awareness of the cognitive impacts of AF. I too am 66 and have noticed some memory issues, but then who is to say what's AF related and what's age related. For mine, I am taking it seriously and I now do daily brain training on the iPad - it can't hurt, right ?

All the best to you.

[Hidden]

I take apixaban and have memory issues. My understanding is that AF is associated with impaired memory because of micro-infarcts, and that anticoagulants (ACs) reduce this risk. There may be a risk of cerebral micro-bleeds on ACs, which might in theory affect memory, and I believe research is ongoing. It may be a good idea to discuss with your GP possible referral to a memory clinic with access to MRI scanning.

[Roony39]

I used to have a brilliant memory but mine is also very bad , I’m 51 and it’s been going since HA and discovery of persistent AF . I put it down to the statin I was taking so have been off and on them with EPs/ GPS knowledge to try to make it better, but no difference. I’m on apixaban but I haven’t heard of them causing memory problems. I have now put it down to early menopause ( age 43 ).

[WallMatt in reply to Roony39]

Definitely think that you're right about menopause affecting your memory...mine definitely tanked then, but I also have/had fibromyalgia which is known to display major memory issues. Got so bad that I took early retirement from teaching at age 50... Afib didn't come until 20 years later and have not seen any worsening of memory - less stress was probably the major player in getting better! I take Eliquis and metoprolo - plus other BP meds...

[icklebud99]

I am on Riveroxiban and have increasing memory problems, for example I can't find words in the middle of a sentence. I thought it was down to the Tramadol I take for ostioarthritis, so not sure which one it is. I'm 58 and have had a simple memory test at the GP a year ago where your told 3 facts and you have to remember them at the end of the appointment, I remembered 2 of 3 and thought this was normal but I know how bad its getting and my family are commenting more and want me to have further investigation done.

[Franny50]

From Dr. John Day's blog: (Item #7)

drjohnday.com/13-reasons-wh...

I had never encountered mention of this possibility until I read his blog. For some reason he has stopped blogging recently, which is a shame. He is an honest, straightforward and knowledgeable EP from Utah, U.S.

[Hidden in reply to Franny50]

Very interesting. Probably stopped because of pressure from Big Pharma and the influence they have on medical boards.

[jimlad2]

AF apparently leads to intermittent less efficient perfusion of the brain in some cases, perhaps all - between episodes as well as during - so I would expect there to be some impact on memory over time regardless of type of anticoagulant used. I started taking 300mgs of magnesium citrate and upped my intake of vitamin D3 to 3000 ius a day and noticed an improvement. Might have been coincidence but my memory problems have been drastically reduced since then, and I've had slightly fewer episodes and fewer abnormal beats between episodes too. Of course, because I started taking them both at the same time it's impossible for me to tell which (if any) of them was responsible for the improvement. Probably the magnesium because it can make the pumping action of the heart more efficient.

[EricR in reply to jimlad2]

I totally agree. I have recommended to my senior friends with afib or memory loss issues not due to Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia. that they take magnesium supplements. I take Magnesium Taurate for my heart health (I have permanent asymptomatic afib) and Magnesium Threonate for my brain. Both have greatly improved. I am 76. Also keeping the brain active with hobbies, board and card games, home projects, reading, exercising to keep the blood flowing, etc. are important in my opinion.

[Hidden in reply to jimlad2]

The funny thing is, I have not had any AF episodes in months and months and thus have had no need to take my Pocket Pill, Flecainide, which is known to cause memory loss. I have also been taking Magnesium for years. As I said the memory issues started when they put me on Xarelto for a DVT last June. I am supposed to come off of it when I next see my cardiologist on June 18. At first it was only my wife who seemed to think I was more forgetful, but now even I am noticing it. My wife is keeping a diary. If I forget a dose of Xarelto, then my memory is better the next day. My wife thinks it is causing small brain bleeds.

[gixxerboy]

l had the same problem.....came off it and went onto Apixaban..no bother whatsoever now

[Hidden in reply to gixxerboy]

I would love too, but the cost is prohibitive because my drug plan would make me pay $511 for a monthly supply vs $86 for the Xarelto.

[Summer60]

I am on Rivaoxaban and my memory is getting worse although I just put it down to my age (61)

[Hidden in reply to Summer60]

I spoke to the cardiologist today. He said that memory loss in your 60's is not a normal part of aging. There is usually a reason for it, and from what he has seen in his practice it usually is medications or interactions between multiple meds. He admitted that statins are the worst and many patients are not recovering their memories, even after stopping them. He has given his blessing to stopping the Xarelto. I sent him links to some Pub Med abstracts on microbleeds caused by anticoagulants and he said he will pull the full articles with his journal subscriptions and do some research.

He noted that while they are pushing anti-coagulants for AFib patients, it would be worse to have a stroke from a brain bleed than a stroke from a clot. At least with a clot they could administer TPA and break it up quickly. We are very familiar with this as my mother and my father in law had strokes on the same day in 2010. My mother's was a brain bleed and she hardly recovered any function and was wheelchair bound for the rest of her life. My Father in Law's stroke was stopped quickly with the administration of TPA in the emergency room and within 24 hours he could move his left side again, slurred speech was gone and he was sent home with no restrictions within a few days.

We have agreed that I will increase my Fish Oil and Garlic consumption, but in light of the recent article about aspirin, will not go back on that, at least for now. And, in the event I get pain in my leg where all my clots have been, I will start taking the Xarelto again and get in to see him immediately.

[secondtry in reply to Hidden]

Interesting Molly. Re memory loss I am 65 and just on Flecainide and have noticed a deterioration over the last 4 years, part may be the drug but I think anxiety and poor sleep is also relevant. I have improved both of the latter factors and have seen some improvement plus I am still in business which helps exercise the brain.

[Woofer2]

I was on Apixaban for 5 weeks ... in that short time my brain became addled ...forgot everything, terrifying..

I have now stopped the meds , on advice from my cardiologist, beginning to feel better after a few weeks off them ..

[Hidden in reply to Woofer2]

I have been off the Xarelto for about 10 days now and have noticed a huge improvement in my memory. I have not had any A Fib episodes in months, so have not had to take any Flecainide either. Since aspirin is no longer recommended, I am going to talk to the cardiologist about Pine Bark Extract (pycnogenol) as that has anti clotting properties. I came across a long list of articles about the benefits on GreenMedinfo.com and will start reviewing them. My wife has been taking it on the suggestion of her optometrist for the reduction of intra occular pressure, since the prescription drugs did not work for her.

[Woofer2 in reply to Hidden]

I’m still off the Apixaban and have got my brain back !

Am functioning normally and really feel so much more positive about life again ..

I too usegarlic , fish oils , am vegetarian, drink very little alcohol, do a lot of exercise and have low BP ...

My stroke risk was 2% beforethe tablets.

Am I taking a risk now , who knows but quality of life now is incredibly important.

And after all, life is one BIG risk

[Hidden in reply to Woofer2]

Yes, we don't get out of it alive!

[Brianboru]

Difficult one to answer. Back in 2015 after a pacemaker was fitted my mental faculties noses dived and I firmly believed then that it was the medication Amiodorone to blame. Recently having stopped that drug but now on Rivaroxaban anti coagulant instead of warfarin I too am getting very very forgetful. Short term memory is in nano seconds !!! Not had the problem with the Amiodorone Alternative called candesartan. So difficult to pin the problem down

[Woofer2]

😂