Edoxaban to Rivaroxaban?

[Spj57]

Hello, I have been on edoxaban for a couple of years now but today I received a call from my doctor's asking if I would consider changing to Rivaroxaban as a more cost effective option. I'm really not sure if this is a good idea. I seem OK on Edoxaban and don't want to cause any issues by changing. Has anyone else made this change please? Has it made a difference or side effects? Grateful for your thoughts!

[meadfoot]

I have had just the opposite. My GP surgery wanted me to switch from Rivaroxaban to Edoxaban because it was cheaper to prescribe. I seem to recall others have been asked to switch to Edoxaban as a cheaper alternative no matter which DOAC we were prescribed.

I said I wasnt prepared to change and that was accepted. Challenge the suggestion if it is a concern for you.

[RagdollRagdoll in reply to meadfoot]

Tell them no your Health is more important over cost

[BobD Volunteer]

Very odd since edoxaban has been the preferred option for most practises due to a better pricing structure. Seems back to front.

[Carew]

60mg Edoxaban (Daiichi Sankyo UK Ltd) are £49.00 for 28.

20mg Rivaroxaban (AAH) are £6.75 for 28. But other makes can even be slightly more than Edoxaban.

[Normynoo]

I changed from Edoxaban to Rivaroxaban just before Christmas, I was reluctant because I had it years ago after hip surgery and it really upset my stomach ,however at that time I wasn't aware you needed to take it with food .Have had no problems this time but the pharmacist did say they would change me back to Edoxaban if there were any issues.

[wilsond]

My reply would have consisted of a very short sentence! Ending in off.I would only agree to change medication on MEDICAL grounds . If you are stable and settled, why should you change and run the risk of it not suiting you?

Pricing changes ,too. Would they then suggest you change back?

[ozziebob in reply to wilsond]

Well the answer to your last question is a resounding "yes", as evidenced by very recent experience of Forum members.

A few years ago, costs led to requests that AF patients switch from apixaban to edoxaban, but more recently with the availability of a generic form of apixaban, those same patients are being asked to switch from edoxaban to apixaban (generic). Go figure! It's a mad mad world out there! A world now made much worse by the Mango Mussolini.

[Kingclart]

I was asked to switch from Edoxoban to Apixaban on cost grounds a year ago. I agreed … no side effects.

[ozziebob in reply to Kingclart]

That's interesting because the equal best value "once a day" DOAC is rivaroxaban. The equal best value "twice a day" DOAC is generic apixaban.

As you were taking Edoxaban (once a day), were you not offered rivaroxaban? Perhaps your GP thought generic apixaban was better for you?

[Kingclart in reply to ozziebob]

No it was a straight swap edoxaban for apixiban. Just a bit of a bind having to take apixiban twice a day. Easy to forget. Anyway as we lucky Scots get our medicines for free… not too bothered.

[ozziebob in reply to Kingclart]

I still wonder why your GP didn't offer a similar "once a day" DOAC, as you had been on a "once a day" regime. Without any medical reasons being offered, I can only conclude that NHS Scotland has slightly different recommendations re costs and switching from NHS England.

[wilsond in reply to Kingclart]

Yet conversley, just prior to this,there was a drive to do the opposite ,until Apixaban became generic! 🤔

[Brizzy50000]

I have taken rivaroxaban for 5 years plus, no side effects that I can think of

[Qualipop]

You can simply say no- they can't force you to change.

[DawnTX]

what will they do if you tell them you don’t want to? When we are blessed medication that we are doing OK with I think they should leave us alone unless there is an astronomical cost change. I just received a letter from my insurance, asking me to run all my meds through their mail order. I have two scripts that are I must see the doctor monthly to get a refill those are the two locally. I told them I am not changing because of their rules for when I can get them. They will not give a 90 only 30 and there is no wiggle room for running out which can also cause you withdrawal symptoms. Don’t just agree with them because they are cheap they are making lots of money on it anyway I have no doubt.

[ozziebob]

I think you will find that rivaroxaban is now the best value "once a day" DOAC. You might find the current NHS commissioning recommendations of interest ...

england.nhs.uk/long-read/co...

Of course, all changes in medications need the agreement of the patient. Hopefully others can give you personal feedback about rivaroxaban.

[BenHall1]

Here we ago again ........... drug company cartels marketing departments at work in their sleazy way again. Doesn't bother me thank goodness as I scoff Warfarin ....... happily.