Apixaban 3 hours early!

[AstroFish]

Oh dear, huge mistake, I’ve just taken my twice daily APIXABAN three hours before I should have - genuine error. I was told to always take it the same time each day. What should I do? I don’t feel I should panic as such but … if I should be please tell me.

[BobD Volunteer]

Do nothing. Take next tablet at correct time. No harm done.

[AstroFish in reply to BobD]

Thanks so much Bob - can’t tell you how relieved I am. What a silly thing to do.

[Physalis]

I take mine at lots of different times, one in the morning and one in the late afternoon, evening.

[JFJ131]

rightly or wrongly i take mine AM and PM but with a variation of up to 2 hours either way. Ideally it would be exactly 12 hours later but to my understanding a bit time swinging etiher way would not matter.

[pusillanimous in reply to JFJ131]

I believe they recommend taking each tablet 12 hours apart is because it's only effective for 12 hours, so if you take in 15 hours apart , theoretically, you are not covered for 3 hours. I took Eliquis for a while but went back to Xarelto, because not only was I waking up at 5am to take the first tablet, they gave me heartburn. Now I take the single Xarelto at the same time with my evening meal - no confusion !

[PrinzMongo in reply to pusillanimous]

The serum concentration is not like a light switch. It's like a coasting down a hill and when you go past your next dose time, you're serum concentration is just getting lower and lower. Because our bodies clear apaxiban rather efficiently, that reduction happens quickly.

So, it's not that there was no protection, but less than desired. But, by taking the next dose on schedule, things will sort themselves out. No harm - no foul

[AstroFish in reply to PrinzMongo]

Thank you - the hill analogy is a good way to explain it

[JFJ131 in reply to pusillanimous]

Thanks for the tip/advice....I will keep in mind this and not be so 'casual' about the time.

[bantam12]

I have never stuck to specific times to take it, just am and pm. As I take quite a few other meds it’s impossible to get timings right so it’s as and when for me.

[CDreamer]

It’s good to stick to a routine but neither is it an emergency if you are out by a few hours, many people who travel need to adjust their timings on a regular basis. I have been known to forget I have taken a dose so taken another so in effect double dosed, not ideal but I missed my next dose and returned to normal the following day.

[Blearyeyed]

Many people take medications with 3 hours or more either way.It's taking two doses of a medication too close to each other or forgetting to take your medication for some time that is more of a concern.

Yes. the doctors prefer you to take your medications at approximately the same time each day in order to help people remember to take it regularly and to basically keep a steady dose in the system but it's fine to take a once a day medication a little early or a little later with no ill effects.

[Whataperformance]

If you need surgery, you have to stop these for 48 - 72 hrs as they remain active.Don't panic, I occasionally forget to take the evening one.

Just restart as normal.

[Slidingdoors99]

I really wouldn’t worry! I take my second one either later pm or at bedtime quite often! 😊

[2learn]

Hi, I take mine am and pm and I'm competely flexible as to when exactly. Generally try to keep 12hrs between doses.

[TouchVeena]

I've done that an called my doctor. I was told to not worry about it. I've also accidentally taken a double dose. Again I was told not to worry about it. A couple hours either way apparently doesn't matter that much.

[AstroFish in reply to TouchVeena]

Thank you

[Moongold7]

I take both twice daily but have several times forgotten and taken them a couple of hours later, sometimes a bit earlier, but no worries - just keep on taking them as close to the original planned time as possible.