Apixaban

[Peddling2]

How often should I be having kidney check etc., when taking Apixaban. My practice has the annual check up, but even that seems to have lapsed during the pandemic years.

[BobD Volunteer]

I think annual liver and kidney function checks are normal over a certain age regardless of what anticoagulant one is one.

[Peddling2 in reply to BobD]

Thank you Bob. As I indicated, all is not well or up to date with my surgery. They are so busy getting ‘tec’d. up to avoid seeing patients, they haven’t the time for annual checks on is old blighters🤷‍♀️

[Hidden]

At least annually Peddling but it reduces to 6 months or even 3 month because kidney function can deteriorate as we age.

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

Scroll down to “How should I monitor a person taking apixaban?”

Hope all is well……

[FancyPants54 in reply to Hidden]

Hm, I've not had a specific check. I've probably had a full blood count for my thyroid issues which might cover it. But I've never had a check to see if Apixaban keeps my blood thin or not, or for anything else.

[Hidden in reply to FancyPants54]

There are no blood tests for checking whether or not Apixaban is doing it’s job in the same way there are INR blood tests for Warfarin. With Apixaban and some of the other DOACS’s the unwanted chemicals leave the body via the kidneys in the urine. If the kidneys are not functioning correctly then over time there will be a build of these unwanted chemicals in the system which would not be good and is why the kidney function need to be regular checked. I believe there is no evidence to suggest that Apixaban or any other DOAC has a detrimental effect on the kidneys. Hope that clarifies things for you…..

[FancyPants54 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. I realise that the bloods I have for my private endocrine appointments for this has kidney function on it. He goes through them all with me and explains them. So it’s not the NHS but he’d flag if there was an issue.

[CDreamer]

I was advised 6 monthly for just the DOAC’s but more often if you have other conditions to manage for which you take medications which also require monitoring - I have 3 other meds so I had monthly blood draws which reduced to 12 weekly since COVID and since my results remained stable.

[Peddling2 in reply to CDreamer]

Thanks CD. I was actually thinking of you when I wrote the post. Remembered you were on monthly checks. Not likely to get that in my part of Surrey I’m afraid.

[TamlaMotown]

My surgery does a 6 monthly check. I have no kidney problems

[Paulbounce]

Hi Ped.

I would also take a punt at every 6 months.

Paul

[Finvola]

My Apixaban checks are annual at the moment, but there were a few years when they were done every 6 months. They become more important as we age, to make sure that the anticoagulant is being excreted efficiently. Do a bit of pushing and best wishes.

[Desanthony]

When I started on this I had them every 6 months with Cardo/EP. Now on annual check with GP. Still managed to get them even with pandemic. Ring your GP and check.

[Morzine]

I wasn’t aware of it but maybe that’s why I have a blood test befire the cardio appointment!!Sue

[Janey1955]

Every year for me just for being on apaxiban. However I do have to ring my doctors surgery up to remind them to get even that

[Ppiman]

That's not good. What did they say when you phoned? Mine has continued as usual throughout the pandemic.

Steve

[Maggimunro]

Sadly the admin side of our GP surgery seems to be developing more and more of a siege mentality . I rang 2 weeks ago to remind them that I hadn’t had my annual reminder for my liver and kidney functions tests. They had been due December 2020. I got an airy “Oh you will have to wait until June for your next test”. When I pointed out that I only have one kidney and I would be in a very precarious position if anything were amiss, she grudgingly granted me a telephone appointment with a GP. It seems that sharp elbows are needed these days to get access to a GP.

[Rosemaryb1349]

Our GP surgery is in such a bad way that the NHS are taking over the running of it on 1st April, far too many mistakes being made and Dr's resigning or retiring. I was told we only have one Dr left now to cover this huge area. Last year, after reading on here about how I should have been getting annual blood checks, I phoned to ask why I hadn't ever had a check since starting on Rivaroxaban some 6 years or so previously. Seems I had "fallen through the cracks" and was given an appointment immediately, fortunately all was OK. Things, hopefully, can only get better.

[momist]

If your surgery is getting "tech'd up" then perhaps they have moved their appointment system onto a mobile phone app? I use one called 'MyGP' to get appointments with my doctor, but there are still gatekeepers on that system to make sure you are not wasting their time. A check on your kidney function is NOT a waste of time when you take Apixaban.

[RoyMacDonald]

Consultant gave me one a few months ago, when I said I thought the Apixaban dose was too big for my bodyweight. (53 kg) Was all OK though. Only one I've ever had and I'm 78 tomorrow.

All the best.

Roy

[Peileen]

Hi Peddling2 I was put on Edoxaban and Atorvastatin 2 years ago past January and was supposed to get blood test in 6 weeks to check but not seen or heard from GP surgery since. I used to get annual blood tests because of PAFib but nothing other people seem to be the same and GP appts done by phone. We can only hope the figures go down soon but they are still excessive and I’m taking no chances.

[Van28]

Hi peddling2, my AF started through thyroid prob & even though thyroid is sorted my doc rings to remind me every 6 months to get my liver & thyroid bloods done.

[Adalaide2020]

Thanks for asking this question. I have never had a blood test to check this. I've been on apixaban for years! I'm about to contact my dr to get it sorted. Thanks and keep well.

[JQ123]

I have yearly blood test to check liver and kidney function, just for taking Apixaban, but I also have had to chase the GP during the pandemic. Good luck with getting it sorted.