I have to have a tooth removed on Monday morning and my dentist advised me to take my Apixaban on Sunday evening but then to miss it on Monday morning before the appointment. He suggested I confirm this with my GP.
I spoke to my GP who said tooth extraction was 'standard blood loss' and so I should allow 24 hours off an anti-coagulant before the appointment. To that end, he said not to take my Apixaban on Sunday evening.
I am questioning this. If I was on a 'once a day' anti-coagulant, I could understand this, but as Apixaban is taken twice a day and so has a shorter half life, should the period be 12 hours for it.
I am asking if anyone here has been in the same position and what did you do?
thanks
Alan
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Alan_G
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I take Apixiban in the standard dosage of 5mg twice daily stemming from long standing and now persistent AF. Have had no problems on two occasions with bleeding as a consequence of continuing to take Apixiban at the usual times immediately prior to a tooth extraction. Dentists advice supported that approach and possibly reflects a more general view that the dangers of excessive bleeding as a consequence of taking Apixiban prior to medical procedures may be at least a little overstated in general terms. Both these extractions were straightforward and I imagine more complicated or invasive dental work may warrant greater caution by stopping Apixiban 24 hrs prior to an extraction.Hope this is helpful.
I had a tooth out two days ago and followed the advice on the NHS website which was to stop taking the blood thinner 24 hours before the procedure so I stopped the evening and morning dose and had my tooth taken out at 2 pm in the started taking the dose again the next morning I had no problems with bleeding at all.
I have any extraction done at my local dental hospital as my dentist is nervous ! The instruction is to not take the morning dose and they put me down for first/early appointment.
Then I take dose a little later in the morning,and slightly later evening.
Thank you for your post. Anticoagulants are very quickly absorbed into the body and also very quickly dispersed, hence why it is so important to take them at regular intervals every day. It is common for a health care professional to request pausing it ahead of a procedure - this is always based upon the type of procedure and bleed factor. For further information, download the 'Preventing an AF-related stroke' booklet from the AF Association website.
Hi I an on Apixaban and Dentist advised no problem with tooth extraction. To air on safe side I took Apixaban the night before and delayed taking Apixaban next day until after tooth extracted. There was no issue with bleeding. Hope this provides assurance but would definitely follow Doctors advice in you own case.
Thanks for all the replies. I am going to go with my dentist's original advice which is to take the Sunday evening dose, but then not bother with the Monday morning dose and revert back with the Monday evening dose providing there have been no bleeding problems.
I’ve been on Apixaban for years, I think once had to not take one dose for a dental procedure but it has never caused me much of a problem. Had biopsy done near ankle and that bled as it was difficult to stitch up but doctor had no problem with packing it up with bandages and pressure. Only problem with an anticoagulant is when I had a bad fall and a lot of facial bruising. A&E asked what the other guy looked like! All in all no real problems. Good look with your extraction.
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