Apixaban adverse side effects. Advice please.

[Rosamoyesii]

I have had Paroxysmal AF for approx five years, an episode of which will last anything from 1-7 minutes. This might happen once daily, perhaps 4-5 times a week. I usually control it successfully with deep breathing.

For the duration of my affliction, I have been taking Eliquis Apixaban as an anticoagulant, 2.5mg twice daily. About one month ago, when collecting a repeat prescription, I noticed it wasn’t Eliquis Apixaban which I received, but another brand of this drug manufactured by Sandoz. Since commencing the Sandoz version, I have been experiencing very serious side effects in that it causes weak leg muscles, the weakness and pain starting high up on the buttocks about mid day and travelling right through the thighs and ending in heavy legs. In addition, I am unable to walk properly. I mean this. As the medication takes effect, I shuffle and am unable to stand for more than a few minutes at a time and as the day progresses, it all becomes worse and I find I have to spend a large proportion of time just seated, in order to alleviate the total discomfort.

I saw my doctor yesterday and described the situation. I am very fortunate with my doctor and we have a good working relationship. I explained my serious cumulative inability to walk, and the bad pain at the end of the day, when taking the Sandoz version, but he said that he’d never heard of this reaction. (I am sensitive to all kinds of drugs. )

Since I was having similar symptoms when taking the Eliquis version, but not so dramatic, the advice was that he felt he would try me on another anticoagulant from another family of drugs. Following my appointment, I collected the prescription and once home did the inevitable and started exploring what it was all about on the internet. The drug is called Edoxaban Lixiana 60mg once daily. The listed side effects just terrify me, because of my drug sensitivity and quite frankly I would rather return to Eliquis Apixaban, symptoms predictable, twice a day and splitting the dose, instead of one pill a day.

So now I am faced with having to return to doctor and explain my fears . I am frightened by what I read of this new drug. As an experiment and to prove to myself that I wasn’t imagining matters, I explained to my doctor that I spent two days without the Sandoz version, a few days prior to visiting him, making sure that it had cleared my system sufficiently to gauge the situation. I was unsurprised when, at the end of the two day experiment, I discovered that I could walk almost normally. No pains, no weak legs, no nothing, just normal! Great! My doctor asked did I think that I felt better when I missed out the Sandoz for two whole days! No disrespect, but ask a silly question! That’s when the prescription for Edoxaban appeared. I cannot not take an anticoagulant because of my vintage years, but hey ho, quality of life guys! Any advice would be most welcome. Rosa. 🧐

[Hidden]

Not surprisingly, there is a huge attempt to reduce NHS costs and there has been a lot of posts from people who have been asked (advised) to transfer from Apixaban to Edoxaban. From what we hear, many have made the change without any problems and see reducing the dose to one a day as a real benefit. Others have resisted making the change and their GP’s have not tried to force their hand. One member came up with what I thought was a great idea and said that before agreeing to make any changes, she would consult her Cardiologist. We all know how easy (NOT) it is to see a consultant these days and she remains on Apixaban. As I understand it, a GP has the right to seek a patients cooperation to change medications but cannot impose change against the patients will. From what you have said, there appears to be clear evidence to suggest you should remain on your original dose of Apixaban so if I was you, I would politely request that your GP notifies your pharmacy accordingly……..l

[JudiHalf]

Hi, I am on loads of medication at the moment and all the information on possible side effect are horrendous! Fortunately I have not noticed any side effects from any of them.

I wouldn’t worry too much, give it a go for a couple of days and see how you are.

[CDreamer]

When I had a similar side affect happen with another medication my GP willingly just wrote a script naming the branded version - which I had no problem with. It’s often the fillers that cause the problem and it shouldn’t be difficult to get the branded version.

I’ve had no problems with generic Apixaban but I have had with other generic medications. Cost should not be a factor, clinical judgment should rule.

I don’t fancy changing to Edoxaban either - Eliquis suits me.

[secondtry]

If you are hyper sensitive maybe go back to Warfarin, a more natural product.

[DouglasE]

I take Edoxaban which I was prescribed along with bisoporol atrovastatin alongside my usual Chemydur when diagnosed with AF last March Having all these tablets diagnosed at the same time has been difficult to assess what tablet affects side effects

Due to extreme fatigue and brain fog I’ve just been taken off bisoporol and put on digoxin so waiting to see how I go on with this change.

I get achy legs described like you but not sure what it’s down to. I normally take two paracetamol which helps. I find the aching is more when I’ve been on my legs most of the day. It feels like toothache and weakness.

[Auriculaire]

I find Apixaban worsens my joint pain and gives me very bad lower backache. I discovered this when taken off for 8 days before my first hip op. All my pain including in my hips improved a lot. I now only take the half dose even though I am supposed to take the full dose. When I get an afib episode I immediately revert to the full dose and take it till the backache becomes unbearable again. When the backache is at it's worst I find it affects my legs and it is more difficult to walk.Edoxaban is not from a different family of anticoagulants. Usually with drugs those in the same family have the same endings in their generic names ie ban,lol, pril, ole. The only anticoagulants I am aware of outside the "ban" family are Pradaxa( dabigatran) and the vit K antagonists like Warfarin. Pradaxa gave me digestive issues - worse than what I get on the full dose of Apixaban but some people do alright with it. Stopping a drug and restarting it is a good way to show that the problems are coming from the drug . Your doctor should represcribe the branded Apixaban ( Eliquis) or you could ask for a trial of Pradaxa to see if it suits you better. It has a lower dosage too of 110mg twice a day.

[Moongold7]

Of course sensibly your doctor/s have to guide and advise; however, one thing I've learned is that we each need to listen to what our body tells us works and what doesn't. We also have full right to be totally informed of any possible negative and harmful side-effects from any medication - sadly many doctors don't even bother it seems to me: we are supposed to just trust them without question, do what they say and take what they prescribe. There is no sense in this. It's not their body they're dealing with! If the side-effects are a problem for you, you have full right to ask the medication be changed - and if it works with Apixaban, and no harm can come to you from that, I say go for it.

[LInnieOAP]

hi, sorry to hear your experience but thank you so much for posting. I have been taking Apixaban for the last 3.5 years and my health and well-being has deteriorated.

I was changed to Apixaban from warfarin which I had taken for over 35 years warfarin became uncontrollable and I had 3 distressing nosebleeds requiring hospitalisation.

Over time my muscles have become weaker. So walking is hard I get the pain you describe under my buttocks, knees are weak, I get breathless easily, aches across my shoulders and lower back. Arms are weak too can’t lift much or keep my arms above my head for long to do my hair. My stamina is much reduced I can’t rush at all.

Given that my hobbies are country walking and cooking this has really affected my lifestyle and my social life. I have to stop frequently when walking and am done in by 2 miles, hills are dreaded as are stairs, swimming is hard work, I can’t clean or garden.

My GP says I’m unfit or it’s “my condition” by which she means depression (which is no surprise given the above) not the Apixaban.

My haematologist, who treats me for APS, sticky blood says it’s unlikely to be Apixaban

my BP is under control and I’ve been told I have no other issues.

I have long suspected Apixaban is causing this as I cannot improve my fitness by pushing myself, changing my diet, cutting out caffeine and alcohol.

Thanks to you and the people who replied to you, you have all given me confidence to push harder to come off Apixaban.