Well, something strange is happening.I have been bruising on my legs for the the last month or so and my bloods are ok with recent tests.
I read an article on how generic brands of drugs can be absorbed by the body differently to the branded version.
I questioned my pharmacist who had said it's unusual but not impossible and had suggested I ask my GP to prescribe Eliquis again and not generic 'Apixaban'. Any thoughts on this?
I don’t have any experience with Apixaban but I do have to take the Cardicor brand of Bisoprolol, as the generic ones cause joint pain. The GP insists it’s all the same but my body begs to differ!
I do not take Apixxaban but Rivaroxaban. 6 months ago I was given a generic brand and after a few days I had sleeping problems. Very disturbed nights sleep, was up more than usual started to feel really unwell through lack of sleep. After 2 weeks I looked at reasons why this was happening, did not have stress and the only thing I could think of was the new tablets. Got the surgery pharmacy to issue a new prescription for brand I normally have and within 2 days back to normal. I have problems with a few of my medications with generic versions, Ramipril, Nebivolol being the main ones. Its become a battle to get the right brands, I have 8 items on my monthly prescription with 4 of those have notes that I can only have certain brands. Then there is the battle with the chemist who often cann't get the right ones, it goes on and on. Sorry about rant. I would ask your surgery to put you back on your usual brand.
Cassie
I take Eliquis have for over 12 months for my AF have never changed brands though but one thing i would like to mention..
Late last year i found out i had a 100 percent blocked left carotid artery and i have very low cholestrol have for over 5 years..
That does not mean i cant get a blockage but the vascular surgeon tended to think i may have had a stroke and it got caught in my neck and the plaque built around it..
Unfortunately with a 100 percent blockage they dont fix it my other veins and arteries were fine so i am stuck with it..
I dont have a lot of faith in thinners anymore though i still think they are necessary..
Anyway good health..
Been taking the generic version of Apixaban for about 6 months, not had any problems but I have had problems with other generic rather than branded meds - it’s often the fillers or the gel coatings which vary but they seem to have an impact on some people, it’s all so individual.
You’re right about coatings. One brand of Omeprazole has a red coating - brought me out in hives all over. Health Centre Pharmacist was really stroppy about ordering in an alternative and inferred I was making it up. Happened to mention to a retired GP chum who said that it’s a common reaction. I found another pharmacy who were happy to keep a couple of ‘safe’ packets on one side for me.
Been on Apixiban right from the start. I do get whopping bruises but no issues if I bleed - seems to coagulate reasonably well. Seemed to me when I went on my heart meds that my skin thinned. But it could've been age and rapid weight loss due to stress.
Skin thinning: that's interesting Singwell as I have noticed the same, I have been on Flecainide for too long, 10 yrs. I doubt it is simple aging or weight loss but of course difficult to be categoric. I would be interested to know if more members have this issue.
It is a right pain as I am active on a small holding, where I am forever ripping skin and play basketball; recently I took a pass and the skin just ripped right across my little finger, taking several weeks to heal.
I will put in on the list to discuss with my cardio at the next annual check-up, although I expect he will quickly dismiss it not wanting to stray into 'side effects' areas.
There is no generic apixaban out yet, only eliquis, I take it as well
There is. Not sure where you are but in the UK Apixaban (generic) is readily prescribed, made by Teva
Also Sandoz and Glenmark, and one other I forget.
Thank you so much for this. Meds make me ill, been ill for so long, but after reading another person's post on generics I tried to ask my dr but couldn't remember it's Eliquis the stroke dr prescribed for me in hospital way back, and the generics may be my problem. Will see her on Tuesday and hopefully my health will improve soon. I hope things improve for you too. I get swollen blue legs with Riveroxaban. Thank you again.
I’ve had both forms of apixaban and not noticed any difference but from what you describe it’s possible. Bruising is not a pleasant thing to have at all.
Having worked in the pharmaceutical industry, however, I tend to be just a little dubious regarding general claims that generic drugs are lower quality not last because they are quite often rather secretively made by the originating company but sold by a different part of the same company but for a lower price. Even if they aren’t, then the internal quality controls are high and approved by the purchasing authorities.
There have been a few issues with generics over the years, though, so I think your pharmacist has the right idea. Last year, I thought that I had a problem with a drug I take for something else and my GP was perfectly happy to change the prescription to the branded drug. In the end though, it made no difference.
Steve
I don’t know what they do with generic drugs but I have had bad experiences with two generic drugs now. Thankfully I’ve only been given branded Apixaban and not had any trouble with it.
Question about generic medications
Thank you - regarding generic brand meds
Generic anticoagulant 
Edoxaban v. Apixaban 
