Rivaroxaban blood test

[ETFCfan]

I’ve just had a phone call from my GP calling me in for a blood test next week. I have blood tests every six months and am up to date. They said it was to monitor the Rivaroxaban levels. This seems unusual but I seem to remember reading somewhere that GPs were trying to get patients off of Rivaroxaban and onto another blood thinner. Has anyone else heard of this happening?

[BobD Volunteer]

As far as I know you don't test levels for any DOACs but regular liver and kidney tests are normal so that is probably why. Edoxaban is cheaper I understand and some CCGs are trying to switch patients.

[ETFCfan in reply to BobD]

Thank you for answering. You’ve confirmed what I thought, I’ve always had regular six monthly tests for live4 and kidney function which is why I thought it strange. Do you know of anything wrong with Edoxaban? I know that everyone is different.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to ETFCfan]

Sorry no experience. I do not intend to switch from my lovely warfarin.

[ETFCfan in reply to BobD]

Thank you Bob I should have known better than to ask you, I’ve been reading your posts for quite a while now 😂.!

[secondtry]

My cardio switched my PIP DOAC from Rivaroxaban to Edoxaban. He said the reason was some negative research in the States but didn't expand on that.

[ETFCfan in reply to secondtry]

Thanks for answering, that’s what I had wondered I didn’t know if it was cost or research.

[belindalore in reply to secondtry]

I believe rivaroxaban is the same as Xarelto here in the USA. My cardio Dr wants me switch to Xarelto from Eliquis. No way. Too many problems with Xarelto and it's worse for bleeding than Eliquis. And yet the Drs are still prescribing it (Xarelto). I've read that many of these drugs get pushed through when they really shouldn't be. The drug trials are not nearly long enough to see what all the side effects can be. So there's what is called the seven year post trial. After a drug is approved and people start taking it, it's watched for the next 7 years for more side effects. That's when you start seeing the lawsuits against the drug companies and then some of the drugs might get discontinued. So in short, we are all basically guinea pigs even after a drug has been approved. No matter what, the drugs are still going to be put out there whether they are safe or not. Over 1 million people die in a year from the side effects of drugs, not from their illness. Bummer. What Snookersteve wrote is correct.

[secondtry in reply to belindalore]

A very good argument for making as many beneficial lifestyle changes as we can - that has been my mantra for a long time!

[belindalore in reply to secondtry]

I agree. I watch my diet. I try to exercise. Unfortunately the Eliquis zaps my energy a lot. It's definitely not easy when you have to deal with so many side effects as I do. My partner takes it too and he's suffering from bad side effects. Most days he can hardly bend over. When I was in the hospital this week I was given a heart healthy diet. Lol 😆. Far from it. They still offered salt and sugar freely. Sweet fruit juices. Of course I didn't order anything that looked suspicious. They have a lot to learn. 😕

[cuore in reply to belindalore]

Interesting statistic of one million dying from side effects. do you have the reference?

[belindalore in reply to cuore]

It was in an article online I was reading about Eliquis and some of these other drugs. Wish I'd written it down.

[belindalore in reply to belindalore]

I tried to find that article but there's so many it's overwhelming to find it. And since my memory is messed up being on this eliquis it's hard to go back and find things. It also could have been a total for multiple years. There is an article that did state 700,000 deaths from prescription drugs between the USA and the UK. But it was from a few years ago. Which could mean that even more deaths since then. Also more deaths from prescription drugs than illegal. There's many good articles. Just have to Google them.

[Snookersteve]

I'm also on Rivaroxaban (since June) and have been called in for a blood test for DOACs this Friday. I was surprised because I didn't think you needed blood tests for DOACs. For what it's worth I notice on Wikipedia that 25,000 lawsuits were settled in the US in 2019 claimants saying they had not been advised of the bleeding risks. Bayer say that as of 2016 the drug was licensed in over 130 countries and more than 23 million patients had been treated.

[ETFCfan in reply to Snookersteve]

Wow thanks for that info. I’m sure we all know there’s a slight bleeding risk with NOACs. Interesting that 23 million use it.

[belindalore in reply to ETFCfan]

If Drs cared they wouldn't put people on it???? It's all about money nowadays, not us patients.

[Silvasava]

Been on Edoxaban since diagnosis in December, no issues with it. Did have very slight blood when I blew my nose a few times at first but none at all now.

[ETFCfan in reply to Silvasava]

Good to hear you’re okay with it. Thanks for replying,

[Ppiman]

I have this every three months, I think. It’s to check kidney and liver function as these can be a side effect of rivaroxaban, I gather. My GP runs other tests at the same time sometimes.

Steve

[ETFCfan in reply to Ppiman]

Thank you for answering. Nice to know they are checking.

[Snookersteve in reply to Ppiman]

Thanks for that Steve. It's good to know why I have been asked in for a blood test. These DOAC drugs are fairly new I believe (about 10 years old) so I suppose the long term effects might not be fully known yet. But if it reduces the chance of a stroke then it's worth the risk of side effects (hopefully).

[Ppiman in reply to Snookersteve]

It would be better not to have to take them. The worry for me is that there’s no antidote if - God forbid - a haemorrhage occurs.

Steve

[Snookersteve in reply to Ppiman]

Yes I agree it would definitely be better not to have to take them. I just found this info re Andexanet Alfa (Ondexxya) for reversal of effects of Rivaroxaban and Apixaban. It reverses the effects within 2 minutes of administration . It appears to have been available in UK hospitals since July 2019 at a cost of £11,100. If you are interested in more info please copy and paste this link sps.nhs.uk/medicines/andexa...

[Snookersteve in reply to Snookersteve]

Just noticed that a hyperlink has been created so just click on the link!

[Ppiman in reply to Snookersteve]

Thanks for that information. I’d read that it was becoming available. I wonder how many hospitals hold it in stock given the cost?

[Snookersteve in reply to Ppiman]

I hope neither of us ever has to find out!! Best Wishes.

[ETFCfan in reply to Snookersteve]

Thanks for that

[Grayjay]

I was taken off Warfarin and put on Edoxaban. The reason being was to put an end to going for regular blood tests due to COVID. Since taking it I'm having a problem with itching, mostly on my forearms. Also I'm not sure but my weight has increased as well. I've spoken to others who have the same problem. Thinking of asking GP to put me back on Warfarin.

[ETFCfan in reply to Grayjay]

Thank you that’s interesting to hear.

[Danceawaytheblues]

I have been on Rivaroxaban since April. I am due my second set of blood test on November 5th.

[ETFCfan in reply to Danceawaytheblues]

Thank you so every six months for you too.

[Mama48]

I’ve been on rivaroxaban for 7 years, never had a problem, have had 3 ablations and one breast reconstruction in that time! Had to omit taking rivaroxaban the day before the ablation, can’t quite remember what happened before the breast reconstruction I think it was stopped for a couple of days.i have a yearly blood test for liver and kidney function. I would be very reluctant to change to another drug.

[ETFCfan in reply to Mama48]

Thanks for the reply, that’s exactly how I feel, if it isn’t broken it doesn’t need fixing!