Apixaban

[Greatg]

Both my big toe nails have turned purple, I haven’t knocked them just happen out of the blue. I am taking Apixaban as part of my Afib medication should I be worried .

[Hidden]

How long have you been taking Apixaban and are you taking any other medication. I assume you are aware that you should have blood tests to check your kidney function before taking them and this should be repeated every 3/6 or 12 months, depending on your personal circumstances. This is because any excess chemicals leave the body via the kidneys to avoid any build up.

I have been taking Apixaban for over 4 yrs now without any problems. If your Surgery appears to be unaware of the blood test requirement, tactfully show them the NICE guidance information, link below.

cks.nice.org.uk/topics/anti...

[Greatg in reply to Hidden]

Hi

Thanks for the reply. I have just started taking this medication in the last 3 weeks I am also taking candesartan & diltiazem. I was worried that the purple toenails could be blood collecting under my nails and as it’s difficult to get in touch with my doctor under the current circumstances just wanted some advice

[waveylines in reply to Greatg]

I would definately let the surgery know as they need to check you out especially as you are early into treatment. My GP surgery is contactable by phone, not much face to face but can book phone consultstions so hopefully yours is now doing the same. It needs reporting.

[Hidden in reply to Greatg]

Yes, I understand your concerns, as waveylines says, it needs to be checked by your GP. I expect they will ask you to send a photograph. If you have online access to your blood test results, check to see if your Creatinine clearance (CrCl) is there and in normal range. That is the one which relates to your kidney function........

[GrannyE]

Personally I would phone the doctor and see what he/she says. Better safe than sorry. Might be nothing and worrying about it only puts you under unnecessary stress

[Greatg in reply to GrannyE]

Thanks for all the replies- going to contact doctor today

[GrannyE in reply to Greatg]

how did it go?

[irene75359]

I had a purple toe nail (one not both) and I showed the doctor. He was very thorough and we both came to the conclusion that my walking shoe was pressing on that toe (I walk 4-5 miles each day) causing bruising. I was on warfarin. I cut the nail quite short, lessening the overall pressure area, and his instructions were to watch the bruise carefully to make sure it moved towards the end of the nail as it grew. It did just that and eventually disappeared. I am aware that bruising under nails can have more sinister causes, so it is as well to check with your GP but the sudden appearance of this in both toes may just be a case of neat fitting shoes. Best of luck.

[Buffafly in reply to irene75359]

Or slightly swollen feet - caused my toenail problems according to my chiropodist.

[irene75359 in reply to Buffafly]

Never thought of that! My feet swell a bit if it is very hot.

[Hugo40]

To Greatg

I had a few problems with Riveroxaban. So I researched all of the available Blood thinners.

Apixaban had the least side effects attributable to it. During the past 2 years it has proved to be totally acceptable me. No Problems. I Take 2x5mg per day. Regards

Hugo40

[Greatg in reply to Hugo40]

Thanks for all the replies, spoke to my doc today said my purple toenails are due to pressure from shoes/boots and because I am taking blood thinner I will be susceptible to this sort of bruising. She said will take months for them to grow out and they may come off but nothing to worry about.

[GrannyE in reply to Greatg]

sorry did not see this. Glad it is nothing more serious than tight shoes. Painful though.