Apixaban

[PAP48]

I have recently been prescribed Apixaban instead of Rivaroxaban. Just wondering if anyone has noticed increased heart palpitations? I'm not in full blown Afib but have had irregular heart now for 5 days, my heart rate is not abnormally high although probably a bit higher than is normal for me. Any thoughts would be appreciated. I don't really want to get my GP involved as all my meds have been prescribed by Consultants. Thank you.

[BobD Volunteer]

Sorry but I can't see how a change of anticoagulant can affect your AF burden. From the lack of other responses maybe I'm not alone.

[PAP48 in reply to BobD]

Thank you Bob, I didn’t think it would cause irregular heartbeats but just trying to work out why they’ve started. It’s not full blown Afib just ectopic beats.

[Ppiman]

I switched a year ago and didn't notice anything at all. Ectopics wax and wane (as does AF). I suspect it's this "cycle" that is causing the problem, rather than the apixaban, but you might be having a side effect.

Steve

[PAP48 in reply to Ppiman]

Thank you Ppman, hopefully it’ll calm down in the fullness of time.

[Afibflipper]

I took Riveroxaban twice - first occasion for 6 weeks no issues. When AF returned it was prescribed again but caused severe feelings of heartburn. Was changed to Eliquis no problems until GPs changed to Apixaban different cheaper brands - I had a severe burning & itching of my skin which was the same reaction I had to Amiodarone. I had different brands of Bisoprolol & some caused increased arrhythmias. They'll often say “ it’s the same drug” but it’s what it’s mixed with such as colours etc. I do have a lot of allergies & intolerance to meds that I’ve had to self prove. I had an asthma inhaler that as the dose increased to try to control me it was making it worse - I got angioedema - as soon as I stopped it I was ok. I’m not saying it is or isn’t but possibly could be the cause with the drug change for you so take a look at the patient leaflet & also seek advice though

[Desanthony in reply to Afibflipper]

I am considering myself very lucky to always get actual Eliquis every time in my repeat prescription as I know a change of make to a generic can sometimes cause problems to some. You can ask your GP to specify on the prescription the actual make then you should get this all the time. My wife had to do this with one of her prescriptions and sometimes had to go to a different pharmacy to get the make requested.

[Afibflipper in reply to Desanthony]

They have done that now as they know I have these allergies but in the beginning don’t think they believed me

[PAP48 in reply to Afibflipper]

My consultant issued a prescription for Apixaban but advised me to get Eliquis. Only one pharmacy would issue but said they would not in future, only the generic, all down to cost. Eliquis needs to be clearly on the prescription. I think I need to speak to consultant, it's been going on too long. Thank you for your info, take care.

[Afibflipper in reply to PAP48]

yes cost is the issue I think but I had to say I’d hold them responsible if I had a stroke by them inducing arrhythmias despite my telling them. Alls well right now

[pusillanimous in reply to Afibflipper]

Funnily enough I was on Rivaroxaban for 4 years, and then I read that Apixaban (on here) that there was less risk of a brain bleed, so I asked my doctor to change me to it. It gave me terrible heartburn , so I'm back on Rivaroxaban with no problem.

[Afibflipper in reply to pusillanimous]

I couldn’t understand when I reacted to Riveroxaban having had it before (would have been easier remembering as only once a day. However, I actually wasn’t aware of the brain bleed risks - just shows we’re not one size fits all!

[credimus]

I have had AF for 18 years and was on Rivaroxaban for around 12 years before undergoing open heart surgery two years ago. The attending consultant replaced my Rivaroxaban with Apixaban - the only change I have experienced is a continually waking up with a dry mouth.

[PAP48 in reply to credimus]

I think we are all different, so far I haven't experienced a dry mouth. Apixaban seems to be med of choice. I'll speak to consultant and see what he recommends. Thank you for your reply and take care.

[babs1234]

yes my heart rate has gone higher. I never thought of it being the Apixaban

[PAP48 in reply to babs1234]

I'm not sure it is babs1234, I'm just trying to establish what's causing my increased heart rate and ectopics. I take flecainide and adizem and have been afib free for over a year. Apixaban is the only changed drug recently but it's probably something else! I'll see what consultant recommends. Take care.

[bantam12 in reply to PAP48]

Adizem made my heart race and ectopics worse.

[PAP48 in reply to bantam12]

I’ve been taking Adizem for over a year now, would it have that effect only now do you think?

[bantam12 in reply to PAP48]

No idea but it certainly did that to me, I didn’t take it for long before binning it !

[PAP48 in reply to bantam12]

What do you take instead?

[bantam12 in reply to PAP48]

I went back to Bisoprolol which isn’t great but at very low dose I mostly manage on it.

[Rugbywatcher83]

Long term Rivaoxyban user here and atrial fibrulation suffer.not clear to me if symptoms and need related