New to apixaban

[Happywalker]

I have been changed from Warfarin to Apixaban after spending a week in hospital with a bleed somewhere in my digestive system. My INR had gone above 3 and I had become very anaemic with melena. I had a gastroscopy, colonoscopy and a CT scan but nothing was found. Eventually the bleed was stopped when I was given drugs to help the blood to clot.

I have been on Apixaban (5mg twice a day) for about 2 months and all seems well. I would like to know if I should have tests to see if it is having any affect on my liver after a few months on the drug or is it OK to wait for my prescription review in a year's time? Please can someone advise me on this point?

[TamlaMotown]

I was told twice yearly for blood tests on Apixaban.

I started taking it at the end of January & had a blood test in June to coincide with my next test around my birthday

[Happywalker in reply to TamlaMotown]

Thank you for replying. I now know to ask for tests twice a year.

Many thanks.

[CDreamer]

I have monthly tests because I am on other drugs which affect liver/renal but from memory - every 6 months I think. I’ve had no problems with Apixaban.

Best wishes CD.

[Happywalker in reply to CDreamer]

Thank you. It seems every six months is the consensus. I shall ask for tests to be done every 6 months.

[Nan1]

Hello, I have been on Apixiban since June this year as I wasn’t able to stay in range on Warfarin. I was told to have a blood test after 3 months. I did this and there was a slight query with the result so it has to be repeated again in November. Wish you well

[Happywalker in reply to Nan1]

Thank you. Your experience is the same as mine. So far I have not been asked to have a blood test so I think I had better ask for it myself. My doctor is not very proactive.

[Desanthony]

I have six monthly tests on aixaban.

[Happywalker in reply to Desanthony]

Thanks for your reply. That seems to be the common time interval.

[Ianc2]

May I ask what warfarin dose you were on?

[Happywalker in reply to Ianc2]

I was on a dose of 3.5 mg daily.

[Over60locker]

Hi I’ve been on Apixiban for 5 years no problem and I have liver and kidney function tests every 6 months hope this helps x

[Happywalker in reply to Over60locker]

Thanks for your reply. It seems that most people have checks every 6 months. I contacted the NHS NOAC clinic at Wycombe Hospital and they said I should have a check annually. So now I am in a quandary. I think I will try and persuade my GP to order a check every 6 months but am not hopeful.