BLOOD THINNERS

[Bob002]

Blood thinners Been taking Pradaxa 120 mg for approximately 5 years for afib with no problems. My doctor has changed my blood thinner next month from Pradaxa to Xarelto (Rivaroxaban) . I cannot find any good reviews for Xarelto (Rivaroxaban) , everything is negative. Anyone had any experience with this blood thinner?

[jeff1257]

I’ve been using Xarelto for about 1 1/2 years without issue. Actually think I bruise less than when I was on Eliquis.

[Hidden]

I have been taking it for a while now. Not aware of any issues.

[raymelb]

I've been taking Xarelto for 2.5 years now and not had any problems.

[Tako2009]

Hmmm. Up until last year I would have agreed with these comments. However last year I did have problems with rivaroxaban and eventually had to change to Endoxaban. So I would say to just keep an eye on things and make sure you get your regular blood tests - we are all different and react in different ways to the medications we are prescribed. Did you get any reason for this change? I’m guessing it is a cheaper brand if you haven’t had problems with Eliquis? Hope it works well for you, as it does for many on this forum. Liz

[CHRISAF18]

If you do not have any explanation as to why....I would refuse. Unless there is a clinical reason why should you change. If it is because of cost ask that question see what the answer is. We need to be more assertive they dont always get it right. Perhaps I just dont do what I am tokd without question! Good luck

[Barb1]

Please remember they do not thin the blood, they are anti coagulants

[CDreamer]

I would ask for an explanation as to why?

If you go ahead with Rivaroxaban then just remember that it must be taken with a full meal which includes fat and protein - the advice from our Arrythmia nurse is a meal of 500 calories. Taken on it’s own it can cause problems with liver function, which is what happened to my friend, solved as soon as they started taking with a main meal of the day.

Pradaxa is heavy on the stomach I found so I changed to Apixaban and it seems to be the most popular choice, no problems.

[Icenae]

I have taken it for 5 years. No problems. (Touch wood). I take it after dinner. I took a different one at first but it upset my tum. Rivaroxaban is fine.

[Hidden]

It gave me brain fog/flu like feeling and itchy skin all over that would not go away even after 6 months of trying to get on with it

[Drounding]

I was on Dabigatran for a while but it caused stomach issues for me. I changed to Edoxaban, no need to take with food, only once a day, and no stomach irritation.

If it hasn't given you any issues then certainly question why they want to change it.

[Vanna101]

I have been taking Rivaroxaban for 5 years now, I was extremely worried to begin with, but can honestly say I have never had a problem with it. I had some dizziness, which I blamed on it to begin with, but after investigation, my consultant decided the dizziness was caused by migraine. I traced the culprit to my occasional bar of chocolate, stopped having it, no more dizziness!

[Jill13]

Xarelto gave me a bad ras and hives and I asked to be changed to Eliquis and so far no problems. Everybody reacts to different drugs differently but you have the right to know why your doctor is changing your anticoagulant,