Apixaban to Edoxaban change

[Jenbo6]

I have just received a letter from my GP saying she is changing my Apixaban to Edoxaban as it is cheaper. I have PAF but have been discharged from hospital outpatients after many years as the symptoms are mostly controlled by Flecanide. Any change in medication is quite disconcerting and I wondered if anybody has had this change forced upon them by their GP.

[Hidden]

Over the last year or so there have been some posts regarding this. It might be worth using the search box at the top right of this page to find out more.....

[Jenbo6 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you

[10gingercats]

I seem to recall that if the hospital prescribed the Apixaban the GP cannot change it.

[Jenbo6 in reply to 10gingercats]

Thank you for that. I thought so too. I can understand GP’s trying to cut costs but Apixaban really suits me and obviously I’m reluctant to rock the boat.

[Thomas45 in reply to 10gingercats]

Not so in my case. I had two adverse reactions to a hospital prescribed beta blocker. My GPs took me off it, and did not prescribe a replacement. I had never previously been on a beta blocker.In respect of anticoagulants the hospital consultant had prescribed aspirin. My GP changed it to Warfarin, which causes no dietary problems, nor visits to have blood tests as I have my own test meter.

[Finvola]

I can well understand the need for budgetary controls but . . . where does this stop? I understand that Edoxaban is perfectly suitable for many taking it and they are happy on it but I am uncomfortable with finance-driven decisions which may (or may not) affect our health - or indeed in my former career - education where finance was the god which drove the curriculum.

Not suggesting you do this but I would quietly ring my cardiologist’s secretary and check that Edoxaban is suitable for me. If your GP is determined to change all patients - and the letter would indicate a broad sweep - then it could be difficult to resist.

[Jenbo6 in reply to Finvola]

Thank you for that. I’ll get in touch with the hospital and see that they suggest.

[Barb1 in reply to Finvola]

If the EP doesn't concur with the change then the GP cannot do it. The EP will probably be led by you.

[Hidden]

I was the same want docs and told them I did not want to change as they were suiting me she said that was ok you don't have to change them so I'm still on same

[Jenbo6 in reply to Hidden]

Brilliant. I’m going to try to speak to them today. This site is brilliant. It’s so good to read other peoples experiences.

[Jogb in reply to Hidden]

They changed a friend of mines[we both have PAF]and same gp] but they were going to change mine too but I asked if I could stay on the apixaban and so far still on it a year later. She has been on her Edoxaban about 3 months now Says she doesn't have any new side effects I must say myself I've never felt the same since going on these medications nearly 4 years ago I changed my bisoprolol to atenolol with the Apixaban I get breathless and have upper abdominal pain every day but as I also have a hiatus hernia and Coeliac I don't know what the cause is I've had 6 lots of tests done this year but all come back normal but it's getting me down however I've got my annual check with my hospital prof soon so will see if he can throw any more light on the cause of pain

[Jenbo6 in reply to Jogb]

Good news. I sent an email to my surgery explaining my concerns and a Dr phoned me within an hour to say not a problem and I can stay on Apixaban. Super. Thank you everyone for your comments.

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Jenbo6]

Yay!!! That's good to hear.

[Tapanac]

When I was changed from Rivaroxaban to Apixaban my GP had to have my EP change it first. I don't think a GP can change what a hospital consultant has given you. Apart from that I couldn't just change from one to another, I had to wean and change under the hospital's haematology department.

[Hidden]

not that long ago Edoxaban was the Rolls Royce of NOAC's and I had to fight to get it, my GP was not happy that my EP had prescribed it after I had severe reactions to all of the other NOACS

[Beta44]

I was happily on Apixaban for a couple of years until my GP asked me to switch to Edoxaban on cost grounds. As I wanted to be as low cost as possible to the NHS I agreed and have had no problems at all. Only one dose a day rather than two suits me as well.

Peter

[Rotsky]

Yes me! Just posted on this.

Viv

[BP547]

I have just received a letter informing me they are changing me to Edoxaban and I am challenging this today. Will let you know the outcome. Thete does not appear to be a drug to counter this drug should a bleed occur.

[Slidingdoors99]

I had the same thing and was told that Edoxaban was exactly the same but having read up, it doesn’t seem to be.

I may be wrong but apparently there is an antidote that can be given to stop a dramatic blood loss situation with Apixaban but not with the one you and I are now on…