Problems with Edoxaban

[GardenLover2]

Hi , I have been swapped from Apixaban to Edoxaban because I have low blood pressure. Four days after starting Edoxaban I went into AF and still in it 4 days later. Has anyone else had a similar experience?

[MummaSoap]

Hi GardenLover

I’m sorry to hear about your current situation; it sounds uncomfortable.

I don’t have any personal experience with what you’re going through but I just wanted to say that I hope you switch back to NSR very soon and start feeling better 🤞🏼🤞🏼

Hopefully others will be along soon with some relatable experiences and reassurance.

Sending best wishes

Soap 🧼

[GardenLover2 in reply to MummaSoap]

Thank you Soap, that is very kind.

[GardenLover2 in reply to MummaSoap]

Thank you

[Desanthony]

I have not had experience of this as thankfully have not been changed from apixaban to edoxoban (yet- I am waiting for my surgery to try this though) I would call 111 or go to A&E if your GP is unwilling to change you back to apixaban or make further investigations into your problem. Is it possible to see another GP at your practice - if so then do.

[GardenLover2 in reply to Desanthony]

Thank you Desanthony.

[CDreamer]

Are you suggesting that the Edoxaban is the cause? I cannot understand how an anticoagulant could be the cause but low BP maybe?

[GardenLover2 in reply to CDreamer]

Hi CDreamer, thank you for replying. It is likely to be a coincidence that my AF started after the medication change. I think I am going to as for a referral to a specialist. The pharmacist didn’t think that Edoxaban would cause AF, just palpitations. He also said depression was another side effect, but I don’t have that.

[Peony4575]

I am on Edoxaban without problem so far

[GardenLover2 in reply to Peony4575]

That’s really good to know, thank you for responding.

[Ppiman]

Is this a duplicate post? Sorry if not but I replied to a similar one earlier.

Steve

[GardenLover2 in reply to Ppiman]

Thanks Steve for responding. Yes, it’s a duplicate post, I’m new to the site, and didn’t see how it worked initially, sorry for the confusion.

[Ppiman in reply to GardenLover2]

It can be a confusing site to navigate!

Steve

[nikonBlue]

I too am on this medication and all seems to be fine. Hope you get it all sorted and feel better soon.Blue

[GardenLover2 in reply to nikonBlue]

Thank you, I feel back to normal now after 5 days in AF.

[wilsond in reply to GardenLover2]

That's good news! 👍

[wilsond]

I don't understand this at all. Anticoagulants do not affect blood pressure. I would be questioning my GP on this. Are you under the care of an actual heart specialist? GPs are not always best placed for this .Best wishes

[GardenLover2 in reply to wilsond]

Thanks for your advice. I am not under a specialist. In A&E 8 months ago I was put on Apixaban 5mg and Bisoprolol 2.5mg (by a cardiologist ) when I went into AF, I had had AF before 2 or 3 times with years between each episode, but not put on any medication for it. I saw my GP who reduced the Bisoprolol to 1.25mg, because I was feeling very tired and in a brain fog a lot of the time. One day I couldn’t even remember how to open the microwave door which we had had for years. My GP referred me to a specialist cardiologist when I continued to feel tired and unwell. I had a letter from the cardiologist telling me I could stop taking the Bisoprolol 1.25mg, and carry it as a ‘pill in the pocket’, to take if I went into AF. They didn’t actually see me as they had a very long waiting list. I was okay for about 4-5 months and they started to have AF again. I had 3 episodes within a 6 week period each time it stopped after 3 hours when I took 1.25mg of Bisoprolol. I was still feeling very tired and weak and my BP was less than 90/60 quite often. My GP prescribed fludrocortisone to raise my BP, my other meds he left as they were (Apixaban 5mg, ATORVASTATIN 20mg for high cholesterol , Methotrexate 7.5mg to Rheumatoid Arthritis). By chance I was invited to an ‘Aging Well Clinic’ before I had taken any of the fludrocortisone. I told the doctor and pharmacist who were there I didn’t like the idea of taking Fludrocortisone as it is a steroid and they changed my Apixaban to Edoxaban 60mg, to help raise my BP . 5 days later I went into AF which lasted 5days. So now I am back on Bisoprolol 2.5mg, and taking Edoxaban 60mg and my other meds for other things. I also started taking VitD and Calcium tablets and VitB12 over the counter. My blood pressure this morning is 96/65 HR61. I am feeling a lot better and so pleased to be out of AF, just more breathless than usual when I do anything like carry anything a bit heavy ( like a 2 year grandchild). I normally play badminton twice a week but not tried that yet. Sorry for the long explanation.

[Goosebumps]

the move to Edoxaban sounds like a money saving manoeuvre to me and I’m with the replies that say a GP shouldn’t be changing the core medication without reference to a cardiologist. My GP has just moved me to a different brand of Apixaban,. Mylan instead of Eliquis. I’m speaking to her tomorrow to find out why, but I guess it’s money related. I’m one week in and not feeling great, but just like you, it could be coincidence

[MarkS in reply to Goosebumps]

Apixaban is the most expensive drug for the NHS so it's reasonable to put people on the cheapest effective drug available, and DOACs have a similar effect to each other.

[Goosebumps in reply to MarkS]

Yep, and I don’t really have any problem with saving the NHS money as long as I can stomach the generic Apixaban versions with no ill effects on me. I have found out over time though that the fillers used by manufacturers are different and some have an impact that just upsets me.

The OP doesn’t mention dosage, which a quick google search leads me to believe is the main difference between the bleeding effects of Apixaban and Edoxaban. If the bleeding effect of Edoxaban is lower at lower doses than Apixaban then I’m at a loss as to why Edoxaban isnt the ‘go to’ DOAC for people with low blood pressure. Do you have any knowledge of this?

I too have low blood pressure so I’m really interested in whether there is real substance behind the move suggested by the pharmacist for the OP. That will be a question I put to my cardiologist( I will ask my GP as well but as I said I’m more inclined to heed the view of the cardiologist). While low blood pressure may be an uncommon side effect of Apixaban I would have assumed it was the same for Edoxaban.

[Goosebumps in reply to MarkS]

Saw my GP today. She said Edoxaban would be recommended over Apixaban for people with heart failure or diabetes, she wasn’t aware of a low blood pressure factor. Other than that she said all 3 DOACs were pretty interchangeable as you indicated.

[Threecats]

Hi GardenLover

I’m sorry to hear you’re in AF and hope you revert soon. It’s probably coincidence that you’ve had an episode so soon after switching anticoagulants. However, I did wonder if there could possibly be a different filler in the Edoxaban tablets that might be causing a reaction in you. It’s certainly something I’ve had problems with whilst on beta-blockers in the past. As I say, just a thought.

All the best to you, TC

[Engineer46]

Welcome to the forum, GardenLover2.

Hypotension (low blood pressure) is a known, although uncommon, side effect of Apixaban, so I would guess that's why you were switched to Edoxaban, for which that side effect hasn't been observed, as far as I know.

As others have said, your AF symptoms are unlikely to have been affected by Edoxaban and any change is probably a coincidence.

Best wishes,

Paul

[Sleepyzz]

I swapped from Warfarin to Edoxaban no issues at all and no additional AF. I would have thought it more likely to be a coincidence. Hope that you are back in sinus rhythm soon.