Low body weight and anticoagulation

[Nerja2012]

Hi, diagnosed with Paroximal AF 4 years ago, TAKE 1.25 bisoprolol, low dose because of naturally low heart rate (52bmp). 75 year old female with no comorbities and very fit and healthy. I worry about taking anticoagulation because of my weight ( 52kg) apixiban would be my choice, I read on the literature that 2.5mg twice a day is recommended for my body weight, pharmacist agrees but GP doesnt. any advice would be great , I feel like I'm walking through mud.

[doodle68]

Hi Nerja are you in the UK?

These are the latest NICE guidlines for taking Apixaban ...

cks.nice.org.uk/anticoagula...

[''What dose of apixaban should I prescribe?

For the prophylaxis of stroke and systemic embolism in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF), the usual dose of apixaban is 5 mg twice a day.

Reduce the dose to 2.5 mg twice daily if the person has at least two of the following characteristics:

Age 80 years or over.

Body weight 60 kg or less.''

Serum creatinine 1.5 mg/dL (133 micromol/L) or more.]

....note it says 2 of the characteristics.

[doodle68 in reply to doodle68]

....if you feel like your are 'walking through mud ' I would guess that is due to the Bisoprolol not the Apixaban so maybe request a change to a different beta blocker like Nebivolol.

[Nerja2012 in reply to doodle68]

Hi Doodle, probably phrased that wrongly, feel like walking through mud mentally not physically. I feel like a lot of people on this site, your diagnosed then shoved out of door. No AF nurse to help and advise, that's the mud bit 😧. Any imformation and help I've had has been from the forum. So thank you all. Not coagulated as yet. But realise now that I should be. Just need the medics to agree about my body weight.

[TamlaMotown]

Hi Nerja I have just started Apixaban in January & I questioned the dose because I am only 58 kilo but I was assured that the 5mg is correct as long as your kidney function is good & you are not over 80yrs

[Nerja2012 in reply to TamlaMotown]

Tamla, Thanks for that. How did you feel when you started taking them cos they frighten the life out of me.

[TamlaMotown in reply to Nerja2012]

They frighten the life out of me too but you're stuck between the devil & the deep blue sea unfortunately. Been on them for 3wks but so far no problems

[Nerja2012 in reply to TamlaMotown]

Thanks for that. It all helps .

[Buffafly]

I'm 75 and body weight about 53kg. I take the usual dose of Apixaban. I have been told my kidney function is excellent so all ok. I haven't noticed any side effects.

[Nerja2012]

Thanks Bufferfly.

[Elsieclarke]

Hi

I questioned this too for same reason.

I was told that you have to have two of three factor to be on 2.5mg. Over 80, low body weight and impaired kidney function so was told to stay on 5mg.

Elsie xx

[Nerja2012 in reply to Elsieclarke]

Hi Elsie. saw G P last night. gave me prescription for Apixaban 2.5mg.

[DERLIN]

I had a stroke 9 years ago and they discovered I had AF. I am male and weigh 85kg. Initially I was put on 5mg Bisoprolol a day. My heart still had periods of high rate, so the cardiologist raised the Bisoprolol to 10mg per day. I have been on that for 8 years and find it suits me very well.

[Nerja2012]

Hope your keeping well Devlin

[Hidden]

Take the information leaflet that comes in the packet of pills and having read it, which you should do before taking any medication, show the doctor the bit that says people who weigh under 60kg or are over 80 should be on the half dose of anticoagulant! I persuaded my doc to let me have the half dose though I weigh a little over 60kg and at 77 am not yet over 80! I still find I feel very tired and have now been referred for help from the chronic fatigue clinic. Good luck!!

[Nerja2012 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Sandi. Thats and old post but to let you know that I did get the 2.5mg Apixiban. To be truthfull I only started taking it recently. Thanks for the reply.

[Hidden in reply to Nerja2012]

Sorry- glad you succeeded! I take Edoxaban now - half dose but just once a day in day labelled form that reminds me of being on the pill in my youth! It too has fatigue as a side effect sadly, but at least I no longer have bruises everywhere from the short time I was on the full dose and once a day is simpler I find!

[Nerja2012 in reply to Hidden]

Sandi. Taking a low dose gave me peace of mind as I'm only small. 5ft 1 and 8 st 4lb. It was ither that or nothing. Love the crack about the pill 😂

[Hidden]

You might have read a past post of mine about my poor friend who had terrible internal bleeding requiring a blood transfusion which went a little wrong. I presumed she was on the half dose of anticoagulants and when she asked her doctor she was told to thank me!!!Always read the bumph even though it appears that not all doctors always do!!

[Nerja2012 in reply to Hidden]

See . Proactive 😆