Eliquis, covid, travel- not sure how to proceed

[Iamfuzzyduck]

I was planning on starting Eliquis today (really I am supposed to start it on Tuesday but I will be traveling) but I think I have covid, (tested negative but it is abdominal/fever/hurty skin and similar symptoms to my last round of covid). I am due to fly long haul Tuesday and wanted to start the eliquis before I fly in case I have a reaction (I have no idea if people have reactions or not but if I have one I would rather not have it midair). Obviously if I am sick I won't fly, but not sure how or when to proceed with Eliquis, Tuesday is the last day as I am limping towards an ablation in April. Dr. Wolf obviously didn't want to implant recorder after looking at my December holter monitor results and sent my results to his EP as I had a call out of the blue to schedule with him to discuss my holter monitor results and my aflutter (huh? didn't know I had aflutter but I did have a lot going on electrically with my heart after my mega afib event) but it will be too late as I am set with the ablation already (I had left it to fate, whichever office called first). So, with the possibility of covid, (I don't know what else it could be) and contemplating starting Eliquis is it common for side effects ? Do people have bad side effects, if so how long after initiating it? Thanks

[Buzby62]

Everyone is different but I only remember a little bit of lightheadedness when getting up quickly and I’m not sure if it was the eliquis (apixaban) or the bisoprolol as I started both the same time.

Only your medics can advise on what to take and when and we cannot advise on here. I will say that if you do have covid, there’s a fair chance it will kick off your AF (it did both times for me) and you may be better protected with the anticoagulant if it does.

Best wishes

[Iamfuzzyduck in reply to Buzby62]

Thanks, the nurse did say the other day if I was ok with baby aspirin I'll be ok with Eliquis. Just worried about the abdominal pain before I have even started the eliquis...

I also have until Tuesday to start it so I could wait..

[Buzby62 in reply to Iamfuzzyduck]

This is why you should only take advice from your medics, we don’t know what you have been taking before and how long ago. Hope you feel better soon.

[Iamfuzzyduck in reply to Buzby62]

Thanks! I think maybe I am interested more in what the side effect profile is like for people who have taken it , I’ll edit my initial query..

[Buzby62 in reply to Iamfuzzyduck]

Sorry, I was more backing my statement up than criticising your post.

Here is the Apixaban info sheet link api.heartrhythmalliance.org...

Eliquis is the brand name for Apixaban which we get now in different brands in the UK.

Best wishes

[Iamfuzzyduck in reply to Buzby62]

Thank you! I’ll take a look!

[opal11uk in reply to Iamfuzzyduck]

Consult your doctor regarding the stomach ache etc., as flying long haul with an unknown stomach problem is no joke believe me, as for your meds I cannot comment as haven't had those however if I was worried I would take my first one at night so I was lying down and asleep.

[Iamfuzzyduck in reply to opal11uk]

I agree, I will consult today, thanks, I can't fly with what I currently have going on for sure

[Desanthony]

Not had any side effects at all and been taking it for 8 nearly 8 years.

[Iamfuzzyduck in reply to Desanthony]

That’s good to know, thank you!

[CDreamer]

No side effects, been taking for 6 years, now on generic brand and happy with it.

There have been some reports of side effects in some people but like any medication, not everyone will so you won’t know until you try so your decision. My risk profile is now high so benefits for me definitively outweigh risk of side effects. Obviously taking apixaban will raise your bleed risk, that is the No 1 effect and although it won’t cause bleeds, it will exacerbate any bleed you may suffer but in 6 years and several broken bones, hard falls with cuts and bruises and several operations I’ve not experienced any problems with stopping bleeds, just takes a little longer.

If I thought I had COVID I would want to be taking Anti-coagulant as there is some evidence that COVID can cause micro clots in susceptible people which is thought to cause so many different symptoms in so many different parts of the body. Some studies have shown that people on anticoagulants seemed to do much better when hospitalised with COVID, despite having more serious conditions prior to having COVID.

Aspirin is an anti-platelet rather than anti-coagulant so does a slightly different job.

[Iamfuzzyduck in reply to CDreamer]

Thank you! It’s good to hear that you’re getting on well with it. I hear what you are saying about the blood clots-our 57 year old gardener died early on and his autopsy revealed lots of clots. Scary stuff

[teddy26 in reply to CDreamer]

Am on Apixaban been on for more than a decade with no side effects . Interested in what generic brand has been precribed for you.

[Buzby62 in reply to teddy26]

I’ve had Teva, Sandoz and Accord. Not had branded Eliquis now for over a year. Haven’t noticed any differences.

[oscarfox49]

I was started on Eliquis in 2020 immediately after a stroke so I had other things on my mind at the time and didn't notice any effects at all. I am on the 5 mg tablet twice a day.

I do suffer a bit from morning giddiness now but that could be down to betablockers or any number of other reasons, and my understanding is that Eliquis or Apixaban has very few side effects apart from the need to be careful not to get injuries which might cause bleeding.

[OldJane]

none whatsoever! And you need regular consistency of A C before any op… good luck

[RoyMacDonald]

No side effects for me. I've been on it 5 years now and am 80.

[Cat04]

No side effects for me either and have been taking it for 6½ years. I'd be more worried about NOT taking Eliquis and suffering a stroke, especially if travelling.

[wilsond]

Never had any side effects no x

[Gfern]

I have taken apixaban since 2016 and have not had any side effects. Hope all goes well with your trip.

[DiyChas]

I can't comment on the other items but Eliquis along with caffeine may cause a dizzyness when quickly rising.Happens to me when having undecaffeinated coffee only.

No other side-effects.

[Utahskier]

I’m hyper sensitive to drugs and have had all the same concerns. However Eliquis has been well tolerated with no noticeable side effects. Best of luck!

[JaneFinn]

When I first started on an anticoagulant, it was Rivaroxaban, and I had a few days of sharp pains in my legs and a sensitive/sore stomach. Both these things passed quickly, my GP said they were side effects which can happen on a DOAC, but are usually transient. Mine were only a few days. When I was switched to Apixaban in 2016, I had no side effects at all.

Good luck - I hope you don’t have Covid and that you feel better quickly x

[Iamfuzzyduck]

Thanks! Not covid, I have antibiotics instead! I think I’ll wait until Tuesday to start Eliquis!