My GP surgery has contacted me saying they want to change me from Apixiban to Edoxaban. I asked why and they said because its much cheaper drug for NHS and I would only need to take once a day (Apixiban is twice a day)
Has anyone changed to Edoxaban and how did they find it ? anything I should know before making my decision.
Yes I've had a letter too, I'm all for saving money for the NHS but this isn't one of the ways of doing it . The only person that can alter your drugs is your cardiologist and mine hasn't so I'm ignoring the letter and have stipulated that I want Apixiban only .
I too was asked to change from Dabigatran by surgery pharmacist but said that was up to my cardiologist. I take statin at night so two a day didn’t wash. She then started talking algorithms but I was adamant it wasn’t up to her
Many posts about this - check this really was from your GP surgery? If you are happy on Apixaban ask to talk to your GP before accepting the change as this should be solely based on a clinical decision.
Information which has been missed is that Apixaban is now available as a generic - made by Teva so the cost saving should not be as great as the TM version. I’ve been taking Teva generic Apixaban for 2 months - I found no difference.
pharmacy.biz/teva-uk-launch...
I suspect this is hard marketing by Daiichi Sankyo, manufacturers of Edoxaban. I think doctors, pharmacists and patients are going to be subjected to quite a lot of this type of ‘persuasion’ in the future over all sorts of medications as the NHS look to do deals with companies - bearing in mind that the NHS is the largest single Pharmaceutical market in the world.
I see from this article that GP practices are getting the persuasion of financial incentives to prescribe edoxaban to more patients. pharmaceutical-journal.com/...
However not all areas have decided to take it up. The article mentions that Oxfordshire, Berkshire West and Buckinghamshire clinical commissioning groups have decided not to act on it because there are no clinical trials comparing the effectiveness with other anticoagulants for AF.
I noticed that a note had been written in my online GP record about a month ago, estimating my creatinine clearance, and saying edoxaban was clinically unsuitable - seems my kidney function is good enough that the drug might be less effective.
Hi Belle.I just came across an earlier post from you, whilst on an Edoxaban thread, looking for information as my Cardiologist from JRH Oxford, wants me to switch over to Edoxaban (from Aspirin & Clopidogrel) as my risk of stroke has increased, already had 2 TIA's.
I have an extensive heart history, am an insulin dependent diabetic and more laterly, was diagnosed, out of the blue, post Covid, with CKD, Chronic Kidney Disease stage III.
I notice you mentioned Kidney function issues. I'm a little confused. Can you explain this to me please.
I'm now really anxious about starting this medication 🙄 I already had initial doubts . .
Thank you
🙏
Hi WardijaWardija, I looked it up at the time, when I saw the note in my online records and now can't remember exactly what the reasoning was! I seem to recall that Edoxaban was going to be less effective for me, with my higher kidney function (perhaps I'd excrete it too quickly?) So with lower kidney function, it should be better for you. I think I read that the dose of Edoxaban can be changed according to kidney function too if necessary.
I understand Edoxaban is more effective in preventing stroke than some other treatments. And a lower cost for the NHS is why so many people have had their medication changed . Your cardiologist will presumably have screened you to check you're suitable for Edoxaban.
I'm not an expert in this at all - my comment came at a time when I was curious to know why I'd been deemed unsuiatble for Edoxaban. Can you raise your concerns with your cardiologist?
I just collected my first pack of generic Apixaban yesterday - the Sandoz variety. I’m happy to stick with it, and hoping that the availability of generic versions will mean that there won’t be a push for changing anticoagulant.
Luckily it’s never been suggested by my practice.
Hi,
I received the Teva generic version of Apixaban for a while, didn't notice any differences with the generic. However, I am getting the Eliquis branded version again now so not quite sure what is going on. I've had no suggestion to change to Edoxaban.
I think it’s just whatever the pharmacy can obtain. I was on branded Multaq (dronedarone), then got an Aristo version, then back to Multaq. Not that either of them worked, but that’s another story!
I've just changed from rivaroxaban to apixaban, but was asked to change to edoxaban. I asked to change because of the results from a recent major study which shone the light on apixaban as being better in terms of strokes and bleeds. When I looked deeper, I think it fair to say that edoxaban was likely the equal of apixaban, so I don't think I'd have minded had my surgery insisted - but they didn't.
Since changing, I have notice nothing at all, except now I have to remember the evening pill!
Steve
I think the issue is more about the principle about changing for purely cost reasons if someone is happy on a particular drug and is unhappy about being switched and there is no clinical reason for swapping. As the headline in the article quoted above Is the Change worth the Risk. If something is known and effective I would refuse to change and would prefer to make up the difference in cost - but the NHS has no machinery for dealing with that option?
Yes - a very good point. I was expecting more pressure from my surgery but there was none from my doctor. I suppose different practices might take a more assertive approach. I wonder what the law is on it if we stood our ground?
Steve
In South Africa we have medical Aid Societies - they have a drug formulary that they pay the full amount for for members, but if members want a drug that is not of the formulary, that is not problem, either you pay for it or pay a percentage of the costs.
hi, I found I had all sorts of aches and pains on apixiban and then same on dagabitran, finally found edoxaban to be ok. The once daily regime is convenient for me. Take care 🦊
Different strokes for different folks.
I’m on Edoxaban and have had no issues. Take it in the morning with my beta blocker.
I changed from warfarin to Edoxaban during Covid. A good change for me as no inr tests needed and didn’t have to be careful of certain foods anymore. Settled in well with it and have had no problems.
I’ve been on Edoxaban since my diagnosis three years ago. I haven’t had a single problem.
My doctor pinged a text to say they were changing my meds from Riveroxaban to Edoxaban because it was cheaper!! I replied back to my doctors pharmacy to say I'm quite happy to stay on my current meds because it works fine for me.
I was contacted to change to Edoxaban from rivaroxiban for cost reasons. A local chemist said both drugs were same price! I asked the surgery pharmacist if the edoxaban had an antidote if bleeding occurred and she sd no. Had rivaroxiban got an antidote I asked, after a while she came back and sd it had now. So I am staying with rivaroxiban. Maybe be worth checking these facts further For accuracy.
Hmm . . interesting. Thank you.
I have been on edoxoban for nearly 4 years without any problems.
I was changed from warfarin to Edoxaban. No problems whatsoever and the huge advantage of annual rather than frequent blood tests. I’m delighted I was changed.
I was changed to Edoxaban from Rivaroxaban just over a year ago, and have had no problems with it at all.
I've changed to Edoxaban with no significant issues.
Changing from Pradaxa to Edoxaban or Rivaroxaban 
Aspirin to Edoxaban
Edoxaban to Apixaban.
Change from Apaxiban to Edoxaban?
