Edoxaban or Apixaban.

[Stinky1953]

On Friday last week I noticed my left arm was a bit swollen and by Sunday a lot swollen so I decided to consult the NHS website and ended up being directed to NHS 111 and then to "make an urgent appointment to see your GP". Being on holiday in Cornwall I contacted the local NHS out of hours service and within a few hours was seen at the Royal Cornwall hospital Truro where I was seen by the Acute GP service. Blood tests and a very thorough examination later I was sent home with a new prescription of Apixaban - 10mg morning and evening for 7 days or until a blood clot had been ruled out. Monday afternoon back to the Royal Cornwall for a veinogram - which I'm glad to say showed no clots, only some stenosis around the leads from my pacemaker.

So now I have the choice of either staying on Apixaban 5mg morning and evening or reverting to my once a day Edoxaban.

I would appreciate anyone's advice and thoughts.

Can I also say on here a huge THANK YOU to Cornwall NHS for such amazingly fast, friendly and efficient service in sorting me out. (And they've already emailed all the info to my GP)

Tim

[BobD Volunteer]

I have to confess to some puzzlement there as both drugs are anticoagulants and we are told they are both as good as each other. Since I am a warfarin person I can't comment.

[Stinky1953 in reply to BobD]

Bob I have read that with Apixaban there is a higher risk of bleeds but a lower risk of stroke.

[secondtry in reply to Stinky1953]

In Surrey they have gone with Edoxaban (I didn't get offered Apixaban by my cardiologist) but only because it is cheaper!

[Raft]

Hi, I have been on Apixiban 5mg x2 per day for the last 2years and have not experienced any external bleeds, apart from small bleeds when I cut myself shaving. I sometimes have knocked myself and had extensive bruising on one occasion. There is a view that it could/ might cause internal bleeding which could lead to iron deficient anaemia. I have developed that in the last few months, but I have prostate cancer and there could be other reasons for the anaemia( which is mild).Overall the stroke protection is a greater reason to continue taking Apixaban and I have no other side effects.

I echo your thoughts, thank you NHS

[Stinky1953 in reply to Raft]

Good morning and thank you for your reply. Good to know you suffer no side effects. I hope all goes well with your prostate treatment.Tim

[ramblerbaz3]

Hi…..When I was first diagnosed with PAF last September I was put on Edoxaban as my anti coagulant. However, it upset my gastric system, so was put on Apixaban by my cardiologist 5 mg twice a day & they appear to have cleared up that problem.So Apixaban for me…..Good luck & all the best.