For many months now since starting to take Riveroxaban I’ve had numbness and a burning sensation in my feet, ankles and lower legs. My GP is convinced it’s not the anticoagulant.
However I have just found an article published in The Netherlands stating that these medications can cause these exact symptoms. I am now going to try and speak to my cardiologist and change this medication. It’s so uncomfortable but I knew I was right!
Hi, do you take any other medication? I'm not saying you are wrong but other meds such as Diltiazem and Bisoprolol do that and it can also be caused by the condition itself - AF not good for circulation. However, I didn't like Rivaroxaban for other reasons and changed to Apixaban via my GP. There are several other similar anticoagulants.
Hi Maria
I have those same symptoms and, now you mention it, they have become noticeably worse since I started taking rivaroxaban last June. I hadn't put it down to the drug but to coincidence since I already was suffering with them. The problem had been earlier diagnosed as "peripheral neuropathy" and is, I've been told, quite common in older people in their sixties and beyond (I was in my early sixties when I was first diagnosed about three years ago). I don't know your age, but I've read that it can occur in younger people, too.
In my case, the condition started only as hot feet, several years ago, and only noticeable in bed; however, about three years ago it flared up and affected other areas, such as my hands, causing a mild tingling or numbness as you describe. That's when I went to my GP and he told me what it was, and not to worry about it as it would be self-limiting. He was right, it has indeed slowly settle down and is now restricted to my feet and lower legs.
I started taking anticoagulant tablets (20mg / day) only in June last year after my ablation for atrial flutter. I'm taking it for life, despite a successful ablation, as I sadly had a bout of atrial fibrillation soon after my op, which came on after stopping bisoprolol perhaps too soon.
I'm sure you'll find that you have the same thing as I do, and, as has happened with me, it will settle down and become just one of the problems life brings our way that have to be coped with.
Steve
I was put on Edoxiban after being on warfarin for many years and after a few months I seem to lose feeling in my legs my gp said it wasn't the edoxiban but put me back on warfarin at my request. Lo and behold my legs are better now!! so you can draw your own conclusions. Hope all is solved for you.
Thank you mavisrich, that’s reassuring that somebody else has had this problem. I am going to try and change my anticoagulant- not sure about Warfarin in the present circumstances with isolation as you have to have regular checks. But my legs are very uncomfortable . Your reply had made me even more determined to have a change. Thank you!
I had similar issues, and the same resistance from the professionals.
Eventually I tried Dabigatran (ended up in A+E coughing up blood) and finally ended up with edoxaban which was much better for me, although I did get stomach cramps
I’m pleased to hear that endoxaban was better for you. My cardiologist has just replied to my e mail saying that it would be very unusual that Riveroxaban caused these symptoms.
I’m going to get a phone appointment with him and try and change. Thank you Mikee69
Unusual maybe, but they are listed as possible side effects in the bumf inside every packet.
Good luck
I am kind of with Buffafly. Your side effects seem like from some other med or condition. Hope you can check on that soon
Medications side effects
Side effects of Apixaban?
anticoagulants-or not..
Medication Side Effects 
