Doubled up on apixaban

[Tapanac]

HELP please. I think I may have accidentally taken my apixaban twice. My phone reminded me earlier, but I was doing something and I had the tablets and water ready, but I couldn’t remember when I did take it whether I had taken it already. Yet another senior moment!!!!!!

[10gingercats]

I did this once. I was also taking Apixaban....still do take it. I called the emergency service and they were not too worried saying on occasion they need to give a patient a double dose for medical reason so anyone 'making a mistake' is unlikely to come to any harm.

[Tapanac in reply to 10gingercats]

Thank you - relief. I have just phoned 111 as I panicked and they are getting someone to call back

[Jlaine in reply to Tapanac]

I use pill containers. Set meds up once a week. Than I know if I have taken med or not!! Really consider doing this...

[Tapanac in reply to Jlaine]

Thank you I will

[southerngirl in reply to Jlaine]

Just don't take Pradaxa out of the foil container and put it in a pill container. It's a drug that doesn't hold up well.

[Tapanac in reply to southerngirl]

Oh ok I didn’t know that. Thank you for telling me that. Would a blister pack be the same?

[southerngirl in reply to Tapanac]

You are welcome. Leave it in the blister pack if that is the way it is packaged.

[Tapanac in reply to southerngirl]

Will it still be as effective in the blister pack do you think?

[southerngirl in reply to Tapanac]

As I read, leaving it the way it usually comes in manufacture's blister pack

Is correct way.

[Tapanac in reply to southerngirl]

Ok thank you

[Hidden]

We’ve all been there! You should ring 111 to get their advice and they will run through a procedure which may help you to recall exactly what happened. They will probably talk about dosette boxes and alarms etc.

From a practical viewpoint you should not do anything which might cause injury and inspect poo pee and try to avoid sneezing. Any signs of abnormal bleeding means A&E but hopefully you will get through the night unscathed. Obviously read the pamphlet and follow the manufacturers instructions but as far as we know, if you are careful you will be OK.....

[Tapanac in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. I feel so stupid as I honestly can’t remember whether I did take two or not. Now I’ve given myself a few palpitations with panic

[Jjda]

Been there, done that. I called my pharmacy and they said not a big problem, just don't do anything that might cause bleeding. I called my EP the following morning, and he said if I didn't see any bleeding, or have a severe headache, I was probably fine and to take the evening dose as prescribed. I now have my pills separated by am and pm, so I can be sure I have, or haven't taken them!

[Tapanac in reply to Jjda]

That’s a good idea. Thank you

[Hidden]

Time to get the little daily pill boxes.... I set up 14 at a time. That way if you can’t remember if you took it, just check that day’s box. Simple but effective. I had 2 such moments of completely not knowing whether I’d took my Apixaban.... crazy when it’s just 5 minutes before!! Anyway, I changed to the the little boxes.... no mistakes since.

[Tapanac in reply to Hidden]

Thank you I will

[Hidden]

I've done it as well, still here! A pill-box is absolutely essential.

[Tapanac in reply to Hidden]

Thank you will do

[Jlaine in reply to Tapanac]

As I mentioned before. Pill box is the way to go. Get one that cover a full week and has 4 boxes for 4 times a day which should cover most meds.

[ETFCfan]

Another advocate for pill boxes here. I have a seven day wallet of boxes. Taking tablets becomes such an ordinary part of our days that we do it automatically without thinking. Don’t beat yourself up about it, I think lots of us have done it.

[Tapanac in reply to ETFCfan]

Thank you

[Tapanac]

Thank you all for your help and comments. Thank goodness for this forum and the people on it.

The 111 doctor did phone back eventually and he said he thought I would be OK (then said I would THINK so anyway!!!) and recommended as many of you have done either a pill box or get my pharmacy to do blister packs. Also to look out for any bleeding, pains in the head or stomach!

Thank you all again and touch wood still here

[jeanjeannie50]

It's annoying when we don't concentrate on what we're doing, but a lot of us are the same so don't worry as you're not alone. I have a daily pill box, just gone to take today's Warfarin and there are yesterdays pills still in there. I carry it to the table when I eat my breakfast, but can still forget. My plan now is to take them out of the box each morning and put them on the table, that way at least there's a chance I might see them!🤔😒

Jean

[Hidden in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Jean!!!

[Tapanac]

Oh dear you sound just like me. When I used to take Rivaroxaban it was just one pill a day with the evening meal. The apixaban is one twice a day at 8.30am and 8.30pm I remember the morning one easily, but despite the alarm on my phone if I'm doing something I hear it, but.... Last night though it was did I take one or two!!!! Senility strikes again! Thank you for replying

[S11m in reply to Tapanac]

When I started taking Apixaban, I told the nurse that I would leave them next to my toothbrush and take them when I cleaned my teeth - and she said that a lot of people do that.

...and I start a new packet each Monday - so I can easily check.

[Tapanac in reply to S11m]

Thank you

[dmf64]

hi glad your sorted now, just to add that when i first moved to apixaban from clexane injections i had to take 2 x 5mg twice a day for a week then down to 1 twice a day. Like you and no doubt countless others i forgot if i'd taken it, called consultant and he just said take another one and get a pill box his reasoning 10mg once in a blue moon was better than 0mg. I too struggle with the evening dose haha, never forget the morning one. Take care

[Tapanac in reply to dmf64]

Thank you and best wishes

[DRGPS51]

Been there, done that! What I do now when I can't remember if I took my pill or not is just count the pills. I take two 2.5mg a day, so it's easy to figure out. I do try to take my pill as soon as my watch buzzes, but life happens sometimes