How horrible is apixaban to take

[bigbearatthecave]

Hello I have full-time AFib with no symptoms and due to age 65 have been put on apixaban. The modern form of anti-rat.

Does anyone have any experience of it and do it's benefits outweigh the negatives ?

😀

[Czech_Mate]

Well, after 2 months, how do you feel? I live in the Czech Republic and was put on Apixaban by my cardiologist here 2 years ago and have not had problems with it. I am more concerned about the beta blocker Metaprolol that I am on. As well as reducing the stroke risk, some studies have found a reduction in cognitive decline in patients who take anticoagulants. But it's important to speak with your cardiologist about how you feel. I hope you can do that.

Cheers CM

[Worked_the_World in reply to Czech_Mate]

Apixaban (Eliquis) has been my go to per my cardiologist for four years. The main side effect is to my pocketbook. Physically, all I have noticed is an occasional dry cough, and maybe a little joint soreness. No atrial fibrillation. Age - 85 in excellent health apart from prostate cancer.

[BobD Volunteer]

A stroke is slightly worse I think.

[Cavalierrubie]

l would be seriously worried if l was not anticoagulated. I don’t take Apixaban, but l know many people do. I take Warfarin. I cannot tolerate any of the new DOAC’s. Best of luck.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Cavalierrubie]

Warfarin hasn't been used for rat poison for many many years. Lets drop that shall we.

[djmnet in reply to BobD]

It is still used in the USA for that purpose, Bob. Our pest control company specifically lists it on their invoices.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to djmnet]

Out dated and not very efficient. Not been used for at least 25 years in UK according to my rodent operative. Since you are US based no doubt you know the most famous person who was one of the first treated by warfarin? Dwight Eisenhower. (As Michael Caine would say "There's not manay people know that")

[djmnet in reply to BobD]

I did not know that! You are a wealth of information on many subjects, Bob.

[Rainfern]

I’ve been on anticoagulants for over a year, Edoxaban first, now Apixaban. No problem with either. I don’t have any side-effects whatsoever and I’m quite sensitive to medications. I do take more care than in the past not to hit my head or cut myself, but I’m the better off for that and prefer a bit of caution in my life to risking a stroke.

[bantam12]

I’ve been on Apixaban for 4 years and not had any problems with it.

[Buffafly]

I’m going into grandma mode ‘Never trouble trouble until trouble troubles you’……

[Sixtyslidogirl]

I am 63 with PAF, and wasn’t keen on taking apixaban as my Chadsvasc score is 1 due to being female. However, I am now on the waiting list for an ablation and would take a cancellation so have been asked to start taking it every day. Previously, I just took it when I had an episode. Initially, it gave me dizzy spells, but now I have no side effects that I am aware of at all. So I guess I’ll be on it for life now. I have had to come to terms with that and move on. There are more important things to worry about.

[KelliEAnniE]

I have been on apixoban for 4 months now after being diagnosed with periodpermanent AF I have no problem at all with apixoban no weight gain nothing and feel fine hope this helps but realise we're all different

[KelliEAnniE]

Meant permanent AF sorry for spelling mistake

[OldJane]

no problems at all

[Lupaal]

Apart from remembering to take it 12 hours apart I haven't found any negatives on it. Been taking it 3 years since first diagnosed.

[Tomred in reply to Lupaal]

A good idea is to set the alarm on your phone 12hrs apart lupaal

[Lupaal in reply to Tomred]

I do but I've been caught out occasionally when out by getting home later than expected.

[GinGal in reply to Tomred]

Bloody hell, I've been taking it for about 3-4 weeks and am still undergoing some tests re diagnosing the extent / type of AF I have. I don't recall ever being told to take the tablets 12 hours apart. It's not even noted on the typed chemist / prescription label, either. Scary stuff. Hi from Melbourne, Australia by the way 😀

[Tomred in reply to GinGal]

I think it stands to reason if the dose is 2 per day and theres 24 hrs in a day that each tablet must be active for 12 hrs.

[GinGal in reply to Tomred]

It might just be me, but when it comes to anticoagulants I prefer not to take an "... it stands to reason" approach. I just find it odd how a medic will note details on how to take an antibiotic on a prescription but forget to how to outline how often to take something as important as anticoagulants, that's all.

[Nan1]

I take Apixiban and have had no problems at all. Have put a reminder on my phone so I don’t forget to take it.

[AmandaLouise77]

The modern thinners are generally trouble free, certainly better than the risk of having a stroke.

[Morges]

Hi I was so shocked to be told I had AF and didn't believe it until I saw a cardiologist privately for another ECG and scan and was told I'm in permanent AF with normal b/p and pulse 60 to 80. No symptoms at all. I prevaricated for 2 weeks before taking Apixaban. I have been on it for about 6 weeks now. I get a bit of a headache sometimes and indigestion but I can cope with those and maybe something else is causing them. I don't want to suffer a stroke if I can avoid it.

The biggest downside for me is my holiday insurance has increased from £100 to £500 just for being on an anti coagulants. I don't travel much but my little grandsons are in the USA.

Maybe you too are feeling shocked/angry/upset which I think is quite a normal response to an unexpected health issue, it was for me, but I read up about AF, asked questions on this amazing forum and I am gradually coming to terms with AF and Apixaban.

[BevCynfelyn in reply to Morges]

Maybe shop around for other travel insurance. I have insurance through my bank account, but have also bought insurance from Holiday Extra, and Puffin Insurance for recent cruises and none have charged extra for being on Apixaban.

[Morges in reply to BevCynfelyn]

That's good to know - thanks. I looked on a comparison web site - will do more research.

[BevCynfelyn in reply to Morges]

I'm sure most insurance companies would rather you were on anticoagulants than have to repatriate you after you've had a stroke. I've been on Apixaban since 2016 and had no issues with it at all.

[Silvasava]

I'm on Edoxaban after a stroke in December 2019, I was very lucky as it was thrombosed in time. I've not had any issues

[Finvola]

I've taken Apixaban for over 10 years without problems or restrictions in my lifestyle.

So far, I haven't had an AF-related stroke, which is the major benefit as far as I am concerned. It's just another tablet twice a day.

[RoyMacDonald]

I've never heard of Apixaban being used as an anti rat poison? No side effects for me.

[wilsond]

Taken Apixaban for years,no side effects. Caution around sharp objects and no head banging ( but isn't that sensible anyway?)

[MWIC]

Been on Apixaban several years and can’t say I’ve noted any problems associated to taking it - The benefit of it in Stroke prevention I think speaks for itself !!

[Auriculaire]

I have taken Apixaban for 5 years and I hate taking it. It gives me digestive problems and amplifies my joint and muscle pain.

[Dodie117]

we should all be grateful that scientists have worked hard to find a medication that stops us having strokes and dying much earlier. I had to fight to show I had af and be prescribed an anticoagulant and I was so relieved the day I started taking it.

[LiliH]

I have been on apixaban since July 2021. At no time has it given me any problems of any kind. I don’t bruise more easily, unlike other people. I do have to be careful with cuts, because it is after all an anticoagulant. Nonetheless, I have been careful, and that has not been a problem either. I am grateful anticoagulants exist because it reduces my chance of having a stroke. While everyone is different, from all I have read and studied, it is a safe drug. Best wishes to you.

[Sheffield341322]

I am in permanent AF and been on Apixaban for just over two years, no problem. I don't bruise easily from bangs , my blood does clot quickly if I cut myself and not other side effects. Better taking than the consequences for not

[intheweeds]

Hi, I am on apixaban for the last 8 months and have no issues with it. Feel quite normal (or as normal as I ever will!).

[dixiedad]

I've been on Apixaban for almost a year. My forearms bruise VERY easily. Just brushing against a door frame will cause a reddish purple splotches. It looks like some skin disease and it's embarrassing.

[Desanthony]

In my experience not at all. I have been on apixaban for nearly 8 years now and have had no bad experiences.

[Blueflags]

Hi bigbearatthecave

I’ve been taking Apixaban for a number of years and have had absolutely no problems with it. I am on 5mg twice daily and I suppose I could consider talking to GP to reduce the dose, BUT my mum died of a massive stroke, and having PAF I’m happy to stay in this dose. Good luck

[djmnet]

Four years on apixaban, no issues.

[Bingofox007]

It made my joints ache to the point I couldn’t stand up with any ease and needed a walking frame. I do have OA and RA. But it worsened the pain. On edoxaban with no prob. We’re all different but it’s generally well tolerated and as we all agree better than a stroke. Take care 🦊x

[RVine3]

I have been on it over a year and a half with no problems...2 pills a day...My experience has been both my EP and cardiologist want me on it and tell me benefits preventing stroke outweigh the negatives...