Blood tests with DOACS (Rivaroxaban and others)

[BobD]

By popular demand I checked and have been given the following information from NICE.

"Although (unlike warfarin) there is no need to have regular blood tests to monitor the INR, patients still requite regular monitoring bood tests and review of their treatment.

Blood tests are done to monitor how well the kidneys and liver are working. These are usually done once a year but they may be done more often if the person becomes ill or has renal problems.

Rivaroxaban treatment is usually reviewed every three months. this review usually assesses the person's compliance and any advere effects the person may be having. Most GP surgeries offer an annual checkup including blood tests for those over 65 and they would include the tests for liver and kidney function. This is enough to ensure that the antitocagulants are not affecting them. "

Sorry to have been so long but been preoccupied with a dying cat. Two this year now, mother and daughter. And then there was one!

Bob

[Hidden]

Thankyou! Sorry for the animal sadness.

[Frances123]

Thanks Bob. I’m lucky that my surgery is on the ball and they send for me every year to go for blood test. I’m on Apixaban.

Sorry to hear about your cat. Never a nice thing to lose a loved pet. Maybe a kitten?

Love Frances xxx

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Frances123]

Thanks Frances. Unfortunately we think Pete who was last to arrive and is seven would object to a kitten 😺 and probably try to kill it. He brings enough dead baby rabbits in!

[jonjub]

Thank you for the info, at least it’s no longer speculation. I shall now tactfully re-present myself to the gp and ‘discuss’. Sorry to hear about your cats, had a few of those events so sympathise.

[Tako2009]

Thanks Bob and so sorry to hear about your moggies. As someone who has just experienced gastric bleeding while taking Rivaroxaban I’m interested to note the advice on 3 monthly blood tests for this one - I have always had 6 monthly blood tests but this now changed to 3 months while they monitor my blood count. Not happy being off the anticoagulant with AF - if all goes well i will be back on one of the NOACs in the next month but probably not Rivaroxaban after this experience!!

Liz

[Hidden]

Sorry to hear about your news Bob, even hard seasoned nutters find it difficult to come to terms with losing a member of the family who truly appreciate being part of the family!

[BobD Volunteer]

Thanks FJ. She has been with us since just after we moved here so TV evenings with no pussy will be hard. ( Seasoned nutters to you too.) How is the holiday?

[Frances123 in reply to BobD]

Bob I had to resist so hard not to mention the Mrs Slocombe word. Glad you did though. X

[meadfoot]

Thanks Bob. Sorry to hear about your cats. Sad time. X

[Buffafly]

Interesting info about Rivaroxaban, glad I switched.

Very sorry about the cats 😿

[irene75359]

Thank you for that Bob, and commiserations about the loss of your little furry companion - it is always hard, I know.

[100h]

Sorry to hear about your furry family. It"s always hard.

Thanms fpr the info!

[Bagrat]

Thanks for your hard work on our behalf. These wee animals cause us so much delight and pain

[Hidden]

Thank you Bob - so sorry to hear about your cats. They leave a huge gap when they go.

[Hilly22]

Thanks so much for getting this information Bob, especially as I was feeling short-changed when told by my GP that annual blood tests were enough! It's also helpful to know that DOACs don't usually cause damage to kidneys or liver, but those organs do need to be functioning well for the drug to work properly.

So sorry to hear about the cat-shaped holes in your life Bob - it's heartbreaking to lose those little members of our families. Sending a big hug x

[Chrisdave in reply to Hilly22]

Although I've had a few blood tests recently re my liver my Doctor doesn't consider there's any connection between Rivaroxaban and the liver! Interesting Bob's information which makes me think I should ask again

[ETFCfan]

So sorry to hear about your cats, so sad as they are indeed part of the family. I looked in our cats usual sleeping place for months after he died couldn’t get used to it.

I’m on Rivaroxaban and get six monthly check ups. Just waiting the results of a retest as my kidney function was down a bit.

[Vivante]

I felt quite happy with Warfarin,but took the advice I was given and was put on Apixaban, I have been in agony ever since, pains in my stomach nose bleeds, I am taking more puffs at the 'rescue inhaler', I am becoming more breathless. I had a review two weeks ago and asked to change from Apixaban, but I was spoken to as if had no knowledge at all as to the purpose of it. I feel nauseaus all of the time. Combine that with the meds for COPD and Glaucoma, I feel worse than I have felt since I was put onto meds. I intend seeing the doctor and getting it all sorted.

Sorry about the animals. I can understand, we shed many tears over the years when our dogs died.

[trish1940]

Good info Bob .

[Pacific]

Sorry to hear about your kitty. One of ours has just been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease at 15 years old. She’s on a renal diet and bizarrely is eating like a horse (and stealing her ‘sister’s’ 🐈 food), so now they are both eating this diet.

[Tyson4ever]

Thanks so much Bob, appreciate it.

Busy babysitting in Somerset.

[Aprilbday]

Thank you ! I really appreciated this updated information. Makes sense!

[offtherecord]

Thanks for this Bob. It adds to my significant concerns about my GP treatment.....In 2.5 years of taking an anticoagulant (riveroxaban)... I have never had a blood test or a suggestion that I should..... maybe before the 1st prescription but not since. I will now be able to quote these guidelines.

Sorry about the cat. ..I'm sure she had a very good life with you