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Apixaban

southkorea profile image
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Has anyone had significant side effects from apixaban? Previously I have been on warfarin for years with no side effects .

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southkorea
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36 Replies
Buzby62 profile image
Buzby62

Have a look at the NHS info here

nhs.uk/medicines/apixaban/s...

No known side effects for me, maybe little bit of lightheadedness when I first started but that could have been the bisoprolol I started the same time.

Carew profile image
Carew

My feet became somewhat numb/insensitive.

I ran out of Apixaban (my own fault) and found my feet immediately improved.

Now trying Edoxaban.

southkorea profile image
southkorea in reply to Carew

How interesting. We are all different so its important we try different ones until we find the one which best suits us

Carew profile image
Carew in reply to southkorea

I'd also tried Rivaroxaban!

Recently posted about some of the detailed reasons that one might be better than another:

healthunlocked.com/afassoci...

Have been thinking Edoxaban is better but have been feeling ridiculously cold for a few days. I know full well the room temperature should be fine but cannot feel as warm as I should.

southkorea profile image
southkorea in reply to Carew

I have just switched from Rivaroxaban as it made me itch and my gums bleed occadionally

Carew profile image
Carew in reply to southkorea

Affected my eyesight - fine focus just didn't work right. Which is just plain odd.

Cumbremar5 profile image
Cumbremar5 in reply to Carew

I'm on apixaban had a episode of double vision that lasted for two weeks been fine for five years but did have reaction with this seasons covid and flu vaccination. See. Ophthalmologist nothing wrong as with tests blood mri etc. No medication prescribed. Doctors saying nothing to do with the jabs but not convinced. All back to normal now. I'm 82 years.

southkorea profile image
southkorea in reply to Cumbremar5

How interesting. Did the covid vaccination give you palpitations? I had palpitations for five hours after mine. I just started reading the enclosed pamphlet for Apixaban but it was so long I gave up!!

Cumbremar5 profile image
Cumbremar5 in reply to southkorea

No had no papiltations but had no muscles in my thighs headaches loose bowls and giddiness. The double vision manifested a week later and lasted for two weeks couldn't drive. Ophthalmologist said weakness in muscles in the eyes causing me not to focus. Had normal vision in both eyes if I closed one eye. Had to be covid. Read a report where it was established covid reaction coupled with anticoagulants can cause double vision.

CDreamer profile image
CDreamer

I’m good on it - taken since 2016 ish? Now taking the generic version with no problems.

southkorea profile image
southkorea in reply to CDreamer

Great yo hear. Thank you

Truffles2 profile image
Truffles2

I was changed from edoxaban to apixaban and I had terrible side effects. Diarrhoea and terrible indigestion and burps that smelt like farts, I had to change back to edoxaban that caused me no problems . I think we are all different and what’s good for one is not good for another

Bingofox007 profile image
Bingofox007

I had intense aching on apixiban , felt like every bone and muscle in my body ached. On edoxaban now and back to my usual aches and pains. Take care 🦊x

Ppiman profile image
Ppiman

I switched last year from rivaroxaban to apixaban and, with both drugs, never experienced any effects or side effects at all.

As an aside, a recent study of edoxaban was put on here by a kindly poster and that showed equivalence with apixaban, if I recall, but with a more convenient once daily dosage.

Steve

southkorea profile image
southkorea in reply to Ppiman

Thank you Steve. Why did you switch?

Ppiman profile image
Ppiman in reply to southkorea

Hi there. I read a large study about a year so that showed apixaban was safer long term with fewer strokes and bleeding events. That swayed me to ask my GP. It was also mentioned on here by a few people. The recent study on edoxaban suggested it was as good apixaban but was more convenient at once daily dosage.

I should think like most people, I wish no tablets were needed, but there we are. The day I had my first episode of AF, the specialist told that it meant anticoagulants need to be taken for life.

Steve

Ducky2003 profile image
Ducky2003

No known problems with me.

TracyAdmin profile image
TracyAdminPartner

Good Morning, Our 'Apixaban' information sheet is available to download direct from our resources tab: api.heartrhythmalliance.org...

information sheet
southkorea profile image
southkorea in reply to TracyAdmin

Thank you Tracy. Does Apixaban cause less bleeding than Riveroxaban ?

TracyAdmin profile image
TracyAdminPartner in reply to southkorea

All DOACs (Direct Oral Anticoagulants) all provide the same protection against blood clots forming in the heart. If you have any specific questions, I suggest speaking to a pharmacist for medical advice.

Many thanks

Tracy

Joc1007 profile image
Joc1007

I had episodes of confusion - had to switch to Rivaraxoban.

Laksacurry profile image
Laksacurry

Been on Apixaban for three years. No issues whatsoever. Prescribed in response to PE. I’m a sometime sufferer with AF.

KipperJohn profile image
KipperJohn

Just spent nearly 5 weeks in hospital after admission for bleeding in urine. I h ave stage 3, HF and permanent AF. After lots of painful treatment and scans etc it appears to be caused by a stone and exacerbated by apixaban which I’ve taken for the last 7 years. It’s been temporarily stopped. At least I’m home a recovering slowly - lost a stone in weight. I am 76 and have always been grateful for the protection apixaban offered. Now in discussions with GP and cardiologist as to when to resume it - must confess now rather anxious about it.

PICCASO profile image
PICCASO

Yes I had muscle spasms for 3 weeks went back on warfarin,

Auriculaire profile image
Auriculaire

Yes - I get digestive problems, mild reflux , bloating, nausea. But worst is pain amplification. I have aches and pains but the Apixaban makes them worse. I know this because if I take only the half dose they improve.

Tomred profile image
Tomred in reply to Auriculaire

hi Auriculaire, do you feel half the dose of apixiban is still providing you ample protection. glad to see you back on here more often of late.

Auriculaire profile image
Auriculaire in reply to Tomred

No I went back up to full dose last November after an episode of dizziness and lack of balance that came on during an afib attack. The doc at Urgences reckoned it was not a TIA and the ct scan showed nothing at all. I still have some vertigo when changing head position and the GP reckons it is the crystals in my ear. But I decided to go back to the full dose. It was ok for a few weeks but now the pain in my left hip which comes from my back ( I have a replaced hip ) is back with a vengeance. I have even noticed that plucking out facial hair hurts far more than it used too. So I am convinced that somehow Apixaban amplifies my pain response. I think I will see if the 3/4 dose helps. I might ask about changing to Edoxaban to see if that is any better.

Vicmeister profile image
Vicmeister

No side effects for me. I did switch to Edoxaban because of the convenient of taking just once a day but switched back to Apixaban because the Edoxaban was giving me bloody boogers and clogging my nose. No issues now with Apixaban.

Fblue profile image
Fblue

I had to get off because it gave me terrible, heartburn, and chest pains that I almost went to the hospital for. Xarelto did the same thing to me, including chest pressure. I just started warfarin because I couldn’t tolerate the new blood thinners listen to your body.

Brenda-j profile image
Brenda-j

I have been on apixipan for about 9 years and had no problem aged 75

2learn profile image
2learn

hi, one known side effect is it can cause or increase joint pain, so if you have arthritis it may be worse.

ozziebob profile image
ozziebob

Dear southkorea,

I am the "kindly poster"🤔👍🤣 mentioned by Ppiman above. The article he mentions (German research 2022) is below. No need to read the full article, the short abstract "results" give you the gist, with Edoxaban being compared to the other DOACs plus Warfarin.

This research showed Edoxaban as having the lowest risk results for strokes, and equal lowest risk results for "major" bleeding events. I'm not sure "minor" bleeding is mentioned, but I can understand this will be an issue for some, plus other possible side-effects when choosing an anticoagulant.

And it is important when trying to understand any research articles that you also examine the possible conflicts of interest of the authors re big Pharma.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/347...

bob.

PS. This Reply comes with the following ...

"Warning from Admin:

If anyone has any questions regarding the article and how it may apply to them to please speak with their doctor or healthcare professional for advice"

BorzoiGalgo profile image
BorzoiGalgo

Yes, I did. I had terrible acid regurgitation, my upper chest was burning, sore throat, and nasal drip. I had not had these before taking it, and don't have them now that I'm no longer taking it.

whats profile image
whats

I had serious, constant all body itching from apixaban. I'd never heard of that as a side effect so I tried giving up different stuff, but when I experimentally stopped apixaban the itching eased off over the next couple of days. (So I'm not on an AC, which helped inspire me to make lifestyle changes and put AF into remission at least for now).

Desanthony profile image
Desanthony

As far as I know no side effects been taking them since 2016

TopBiscuit profile image
TopBiscuit

Yes - I just posted on another thread that just last week I discovered that it was the Apixaban making me feel awful not the AFib!

It makes me feel nauseous, light headed and very tired - which I discovered are three of the main common side effects according to the NHS website. I had 'tested' the other meds I take as PiP (Flecainide and Propranolol) and it neither of them but it hadn't occurred to me that it was the Apixaban.

I have now switched to Edoxaban but the listed side effects on the NHS website are the same so time will tell whether my body reacts to it differently.

This is from the NHS website:

Other common side effects of Apixaban

These common side effects of apixaban happen in more than 1 in 100 people. There are things you can do to help cope with them:

Tiredness and lack of energy

Feeling dizzy or light-headed

A mild rash

Feeling sick (nausea)

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