Apixaban

[Qualipop]

Asking for a friend's husband. He was fitted with a pacemaker last year and put on Apixaban instead of his previous anticoagulant. He's not been right since. After about a month he started having bad diarrhoea a couple of times a week but i t's now progressed to 8 or 9 times every day, often having accidents. He's 87. He also wakes around 2am every night and can't get back to sleep unless he makes a hot chocolate. His GP is puzzled and concerned and thinks it may apixaban but he still has to wait while she contacts the pacemaker team for advice. Can this be a side effect of his tablets?

[Hidden]

Good Afternoon Qualipop, it isn't one of the common side effects listed, but everyone is different so I am glad the GP is looking into it. You can find our Apixaban information sheet here: heartrhythmalliance.org/afa... which details the more common side effects.

apixaban sheet

[Qualipop in reply to Hidden]

Many thanks. I think he will have the information leaflet but he's really bad and of an age where he doesn't "want to bother he doctor". AT least she now knows but it's taken months to get him there. SOmething's definitely not right. Don't know why they changed it

[2learn in reply to Hidden]

Hi, looked at apixaban sheet. I've read previously that it can cause joint pain and my arthritis is certainly worse since I've been taking it. It also says no life style changes, but I was told by consultant to have no alcohol. So I wonder how thorough, up to date the info sheet is.

[Hidden in reply to 2learn]

Thank you for sharing your message, I'm sorry to hear about your health conditions. Apixaban is a DOAC (direct oral anticoagulant) which is prescribed to many individuals to help protect and lower the risk of experiencing an AF-Related stroke. The benefits of a DOAC is that they are less likely to interact with medications/food groups, if you have any concerns about the medication then please speak to your Doctor.

We work hard to ensure all our resources are regularly reviewed by our medical advisory team to ensure they are up to date and provide accurate information.

For further information and an overview of AF including lifestyle benefits etc, may I recommend registering for our free online 'Living with...AF' : heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...

[Qualipop in reply to Hidden]

He doesn't have AF but was prescribed Apixaban after having a pacemaker fitted and hasn't been right since. It took a long time to persuade him but he has finally gone to the doctor who strongly suspects the apixaban is causing his problems. He had been taking an anticoagulant for years with no problems b ut someone obviously thought this was either better or cheaper. Anyway the correct people have been contacted. Thanks to everyone for the replies.

[irene75359]

I take Apixaban and have never had those side effects but that's not to say they aren't causing the symptoms in your friend, people react very differently to all sorts of medication. In your friend's case I think I would want some checking too to make sure that there isn't something else going on. And a point to consider, just sometimes the bowel gets into a habit of diarrhoea, it happened to my mother in her 90s and the doctor could find nothing wrong. As she grew older, her stomach became more and more sensitive.

[Fullofheart]

I've been taking apixaban for about 9 months without any side effects but my pharmacist keeps telling me shouldn't be on it more than 3 months....I was prescribed for procedures so should come off it soon.Definitely worth him checking it out.

[Tapanac in reply to Fullofheart]

I’ve not been told that only to take apixaban for 3 months. I’ve been on it since 2018.

Thankfully no side effects

[Qualipop]

Thanks all- his GP suspects that's what's causing his problems and is on the ball.

[BlueINR]

You can read the package insert online for the med, and if diarrhea is a side-effect, it would be mentioned. Even if it is a side effect, 8 or 9 times a day is way too much, and he could be losing electrolytes. Call his doctor about this ASAP. Sounds like he needs a different med. Don't know why there needs to be a wait for a "pacemaker team." Sounds like he needs help ASAP. Is he losing weight?

[Qualipop in reply to BlueINR]

NO, not losing w eight but the doctor is investigating

[Desanthony in reply to Qualipop]

Just make sure he is keeping hydrated. You can buy diaoralyte rehydration powders which you mix with water or buy them in drink form - there are othermakes on the market. Usually blackcurrant or lemon flavours - I find the cheapest place to get them is either "Savers" or Home Bargains - but they don't always have them. Just drinking plenty of water would do the trick but we know from experience with my elderly Mum and Dad and my wife's elderly relatives we took care of that sometimes the elderly don't drink enough water so found it easier to tell them it was medicine - to this end maybe flavoured water would work for that but dehydration is a big problem with this.

I hope they find out what is wrong soon and he gets back to normal. Maybe he needs to be referred to a consultant gastroenterologist but it could be he needs the medication changing back to what he was on before - with permission from his cardio team.

[Qualipop in reply to Desanthony]

I have suggested dioralyte; surprised his G P didn't.

[LaceyLady]

Maybe the natural bacteria in his digestive system is out of balance. Could consult a nutritionist to help.