edoxaban or rivaroxaban?

[Sandych55]

I have been on Lixiana (Edoxaban) since my AF diagnosis just over two years ago and have had no issues at all with it. After my last request for a repeat prescription I got a phone call today from the doctor saying that the blood test I had last August (!) revealed a slight decrease in kidney function, nothing to worry about but medical guidelines state that I should have my medication changed to Rivaroxoban. She couldn't explain why it has taken 5 months to tell me this but that aside I wondered what peoples experiences were with Rivaroxaban and if this is the right course of action - although I didn't feel I had a choice. The sceptical me thinks this is a money saving exercise rather than a medical need as the doctor I saw in August told me my bloods were fine.

[BobD Volunteer]

Far from it! Edoxaban is much cheaper than Rivaroxaban.

[Sandych55 in reply to BobD]

Oh right, I never realised that. She kept stressing that it was only a slight change and nothing to worry about but was following guidelines. I wonder why rivaroxaban is better then.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Sandych55]

Kinder on the kidneys.

[secondtry in reply to BobD]

That's what my Surrey cardiologist said several years ago but I wonder if the pricing on both has changed since??

[Foxey2]

I’ve been on Rivaroxaban for nearly 3 years (20mg) and have no issues at all with it ☺️

[Swimsyroke]

Maybe you are lucky as I have been on Edoxaban for 3 years with no obvious side effects however I was worried at my blood tests showing stage 2 kidney disease. However unlike you I have not been asked to change to rivaroxaban. So now as my GP won't have the authority to make this change and I was only allowed one meeting with the EP before being discharged, do I now pay £250 or so to get this ongoing worry addressed.You learn things from this site that you otherwise wouldn't know about but one thing is certain in the present world that unless you are very lucky you are on your own as regards healthcare.

[Sandych55 in reply to Swimsyroke]

Hi! My GP has made this decision, not my consultant. She says it was in line with medical guidelines. Also if your GP insists this decision is made by a consultant there is normally a consultant that can be emailed to answer any questions within a few days. Certainly in this area there is a designated consultant who can answer queries like this quickly and without the need for an appointment. When I had AF last year I asked my GP to ask if I could be prescribed Flecainide as a PIP and I got the answer back (yes) very quickly.

[Swimsyroke in reply to Sandych55]

Thanks Sandy for that information. I will take it up with my GP. I am due another blood test soon though will probably have to initiate that myself.

[Tapanac]

I was on rivaroxaban but it kep giving me UTIs. So was changed to apixaban as I was told it was kinder to the stomach and brain

[MalcolmCClark]

HiI have been on rivaroxaban for nearly 10 years with no issues.

You do need to take it with a meal so that the medication is absorbed properly.

I take it in the morning with breakfast as it is the one meal I do have every day at roughly the same time.

I have cereal so have to add full fat milk to make the bowl of cereal into a suitable meal.

Apart from remembering to tall others that I am on the medication such as my dentist and any medical professional, that's it.

One thing that is helpful is the emergency warning booklet that comes with the meds in the box.

Hope that helps