Rivaroxavan

[DIB69]

I've been reading some posts on here that question the effectiveness of Rivaroxaban and or its potential side effects. I've been taking it for about 5 years now and have generally been ok. I do wonder, however, if it could be contributing to the indigestion I experience and to the bleeding gums when brushing my teeth (evening only, a couple of hours after taking it.) I always ensure to take it around the same time each evening after a full meal. I am beginning to feel concerned and the fact that there's no regular check up apart from a blood test every 6 months at the GP surgery doesn't exactly inspire confidence. Does anyone have similar concerns?

[greatness]

No- brush your teeth softly and you'll be fine. Watch your cholesterol and rivaroxaban will monitor Any blood clots from getting larger if they do occur. Otherwise- this drug is very Safe- my educated view.

[DIB69 in reply to greatness]

Thank you greatness, that goes some way to alleviate my concerns.

[sassy59]

I am happy on Rivaroxaban but also suffer from indigestion. I have an hiatus hernia so not sure if it’s being irritated by it. Xx

[Buffafly]

I changed from Rivaroxaban to Apixaban because I sometimes need to fast so not possible to take on a full stomach. I found I had much less indigestion, less bleeding and bruising and less hair breakage. I definitely prefer it.

[BobD Volunteer]

Most of the hype about this drug is nonsense but people like to seel papers. Yes there was a bulletin a few years ago because people were taking it with no proper meal and this reduced it's absorbtion . One or two people even had strokes as a result of ignorance but this soon blew over.

Unlike warfarin, where regular monitoring is needed it is a take and forget drug though regular liver and kidney function blood tests should be done . This is normal practise for most medical centres for patients over a certain age anyway.

[Hidden]

I think most of us who take an anticoagulant experience the very occasional bleeding of gums but arguably, it is an indication that it’s doing what it’s supposed to as long as the bleeding is not excessive. As you probably know, the regular blood tests are for checking the kidney function to ensure there is no build up of chemicals which leaves the body via the kidneys.

It can be difficult for some to accept that the regular blood tests associated with taking warfarin are not required but on the other hand, some appear to put their trust in “natural” forms of anticoagulation which, as I understand it, are not exposed to the rigorous trials and tests which more conventional anticoagulants are required to follow prior to being available to the public.

Apart from warfarin, I have only taken Apixaban for the last 7 years or so and it has not caused me any problems……l

[BobD Volunteer]

Gums only bleed if you have gum disease. See a dental hygeinist asap.

[DIB69 in reply to BobD]

No it's definitely not gum disease. I recently saw my dentist who confirmed that (for my age) my teeth and gums are in excellent shape; furthermore I only experience the bleeding after taking the rivaroxaban at night and never at any other point during the day during brushing.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to DIB69]

After fifty seven years of NHS dentistry and me thinking I was doing the right thing I moved house and had to go private dentristy. That was twenty years ago since when we have been fighting to save the few teeth I still have by three monthly hygeinists visits . Your "dentist" is wrong.

NHS dentistry is reactive only with no thought to long term care.

[LindyMc]

I was started on it 10 months ago. Got several blood bruises and daily nose bleeds. When I was awoken one night covered in blood from a nose bleed and a soaked pillow I asked if there was an alternative and was prescribed apixaban 2.5 x2 a day. Fine since then.

[DIB69 in reply to LindyMc]

Thank you. This is an alternative I might ask my GP to consider as others have also reported the same improvement after switching to apixaban.

[TracyAdmin Partner]

Have you downloaded the 'Rivaroxaban' patient information sheet available on the AF Association webpage? heartrhythmalliance.org/afa.... Alternatively, please contact the Patient Services Team on 01789 867 502 or [e-mail]

[Ronnieboy]

I've been on rivaroxaban for about the same time as yourself,I don't appear to have any problems ,I've tried taking it at various times and various conditions and it doesn't seem to make any differance.I also have a blood test about every year but havnt seen a GP for years to be honest.

[Ppiman]

I get mild bleeding from internal haemorrhoids which has become somewhat worse since rivaroxaban. To me this is a sign that the drug is doing what it should. The recent post expressing fears about this drug caused me to investigate more deeply and from what I read, those of us taking this drug have nothing to worry about at all. It seems to be an excellent, once-a-day way to reduce the stroke risk from AF without the need for regular INR readings.

Steve

[DIB69 in reply to Ppiman]

Thank you for your reassuring words, I clearly need to do some investigative reading for myself before getting myself into a state of anxiety.

[Ppiman in reply to DIB69]

It can be a way to increase anxiety, sadly - like reading the packaging leaflets with their interminable list of writing side effects, I tend to trust my doctor since so much on the internet is, one way or the other, hard to interpret, skewed or dubious.

The question mark over rivaroxaban effectiveness in this thread seemed, looking at the study referred to, to be more a problem with the INR test kits used for warfarin in the comparative element of the study m, but if you do find anything interesting, please pass it on.

Steve

[bigsquid60]

I've taken Rivaroxaban for 5 years, also got a haitus hernia, and got bad indegestion/reflux when I started taking Rivaroxaban. GP prescribed Omeprazole after about 6 months and the indegestion has not been a problem since.

[Brizzy50000]

I have taken rivaroxaban for the last 5 years, which I take with my main meal of the day and have had no problems 😊

[riverside22]

I've been on Riveroxxaban since the start of permanant afib (about 2 years now) seems ok, just been for a blood test and a tiny bleed but not much. I take in the morning with breakfast, even on 5-2 try to have something with a bit of fat in it, (boiled egg with asparagus soldiers on '2' day... I do bruise more easily, but that's understandable.

[Kimhari]

Yes I have been on the blood thinner for a year and have had stomach issues along with UTI. Every time I ask my GP to change they say only cardiologists can change. Three requests later still not changed. Having ambulation today and hoping somebody going to take note if not I'm gonna have to get stroppy and determined to get off these. I spoke to my stomach consultant who agrees that these can cause stomach issues for some people.

[DIB69 in reply to Kimhari]

This is interesting Kimhari, and I think that your reply highlights the fact that we're all different and our physiological responses to certain medications vary accordingly.

[Elsie1955]

In the US its called Xarelto and I've been on it over 10 years without any negative side effects. I use a regular electric toothbrush and floss regularly too. For those who experience gum bleeding, get you some gum massage picks and massage between the teeth to toughen up your gums.

The biggest warning about Xarelto is this:

"If you have atrial fibrillation (a condition in which the heart beats irregularly, increasing the chance of clots forming in the body, and possibly causing strokes) and are taking rivaroxaban to help prevent strokes or serious blood clots, you are at a higher risk of having a stroke after you stop taking this medication. Do not stop taking rivaroxaban without talking to your doctor."

Besides, the 20 mg dose reminds me of something Doc on the old Star Trek would have prescribed lol

xarelto 20 mg

[DIB69 in reply to Elsie1955]

Thanks Elsie1955, I certainly wouldn't consider stopping this medication without first consulting my GP. I'm diligent with my dental hygiene and floss nightly and brush using a good electric toothbrush so I'm assured there is no gum disease and as I said initially the bleeding only occurs at night after a few hours after taking Rivaroxaban.

[Elsie1955 in reply to DIB69]

then I would definitely talk with the doctor

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hi

Try taking it with Fresh Fruit or fruit juice.

A lot of them work by way of stomach acid so help it along by your juice.

cheri JOY. 73. (NZ)

[Softpaww]

I feel the same way and (please don't scold me); have almost totally stopped taking it because the side effects...all that you mention and post-menopausal spotting (only when I take it) is frustrating. I am taking a baby aspirin which is supposed to help but I just feel that maybe this med is not for me. I had ONE afib incident in July 2017 and nothing since. The event was definitely anxiety related and based on what I have read; it could truly be a "one-and-done" event.

[john-boy-92]

I recently attended a meeting discussing a NICE funded study into the gene that metabolises clopidogeral, and a mutation of that gene that causes the drug to be less effective. Clopidogeral is given after heart attacks and strokes. If you have a mutation, a different treatment strategy could be considered. However, there is a cost. AF and the effectiveness of medication tends to differ for most of us. I wonder if that is down to our genes? It would be useful if the NICE study was a springboard into anticoagulant testing.