having changed from warfarin to pradaxa would appreciate anybodys similar had any adverse reactions

[drumcannon]

[AFman]

Lucky you my GP won't let me change over, the reasons he gave were costs too much and causes chronic indigestion. Told him I would pout up with indigestion, rather than the blood tests, but he still won't do it. Looked on the internet because I knew it had been passed by that NICE body and they said it had to be prescribed so many days after they passed it, but seems GPs have a get out clause! Anybody else having trouble?

[Hidden in reply to AFman]

This is a problem a number of anticoagulation patients will have in getting the PCT to authorise the GP's to change over to the new drugs. However, there are ways to get round the problem and you need to look at the problem from the PCT or GP's view. If you or any other Healthunlocked member would like further non-medical advice on how to persuade your GP to change his decision, then please get in touch with me. However, please see my answer to drumcannon below from Pedro and would need very much the same questions answered to enable me to draft some points for your GP or hospital.

Hope this helps

Kind regards

Pedro

[Impatiens in reply to Hidden]

who are you firemansam/pedro - are you a medic? what is your interest in all this?? you seem very genned up for a layman

I will download the spread sheet for my own interest as I am never in range and as am away in Thailand as previously said I would like to change to Pradaxa just for two weeks so am trying GP with that idea next week.

[Mellman in reply to Hidden]

Hi,

I am a 73yr old male with AF and a CHADS VAZ score of >4, currently on anti-platelet drugs (clopidrogel), but recommended by cardiologist and GP for warfarin. But I also have bleeding risks so I am reluctant to make the change. I think the major issue is the cost of Dabigatran, so I would be interested in any suggestions you have for fighting against Warfarin and applying pressure on GP/Consultant/PCT

[drumcannon]

I SPEND SIX MONTHS OF YEAR IN EIRE WHERE IT IS FREE IN LONDON I HAVE TO PAY £110 FOR A MONTHS SUPPLY SO MUCH FOR PAYING INTO NHS FOR OVER FORTY YEARS

[Hidden]

This is a very good question that many people would be interested in knowing. Firstly people may know this as dabigatran (Pradaxa). This a new anticoagulation oral drug which has been approved by NICE but not approved by the PCT as yet and normally only issued in the UK by hospitals. There is insufficient information on side affects as it a fairly new drug. Your help and advice would be appreciated by others on anticoagulation therapy that would like to change to these new drugs.

Is it possible you could share your information with other members?

If yes, then I would appreciate the following information

Are you a member of ACE (anticoagulationeurope.org)?

Why have you changed from warfarin to Pradaxa?

Why do you take anticoagulation?

Did you have any side effects on warfarin?

Are you having any side effects on Pradaxa?

Did you self test?

Did you self dose?

Where did you have your INR taken whilst on warfarin?

What are the advantageous being on Pradaxa than warfarin?

Any other information you feel might help other users on warfarin or the new anticoagulation drugs like Xarelto (rivaroxaban) which does not require an INR test.

I look forward to hearing from you and you knowledge and use of Pradaxa will be helpful to many other anticoagulation users.

Kind regards

Pedro

[drumcannon in reply to Hidden]

SEE MY NEW ENTRY

[maejane in reply to Hidden]

I am a member of ace

I have antithrombin def (twice admitted to hospital due to PEs in the lung)

Was allergic to warfarin

itchiness, tiredness and irritable only been on it for a month no fingers crossed!

yes I self tested

self dosed if abroad

INR taken at local health centre

this new drug gives you freedom, a tablet in the morning and forget about testing etc

I was put onto this new drug because of the difficulty in obtaining phenindione the drug I was using after taken off warfarin, hope this helps.

[success in reply to maejane]

I have the same condition as you and have been taking warfarin for the last 40 years. It has worked well for me but I am pleased to hear that you have been offered DAbigatran and hope that any side effects will settle in due course. I have a family' member who I hope one day may be able to switch to the new oral.

[drumcannon]

YES MEMBER OF ACE TO AVOID HASTLE OF GOING BECKENHAM KENT HOSPITAL AT CRACK OF DAWN AND STILL A LONG WAIT WORRYING ABOUT INTERACTIONS WITH DIET I LIKE VERY MUCH GREEN VEGETABLES BECAUSE CONSULTANT ADVISED ME TO AS RESULT THREE BOUTS OF A F AND AFTER THREE CARDIVERSIONS NO SIDE EFFECTS OTHER THAN A BOUT OF INDIGESTION AND LOOSE BOWEL MOVEMENTS BUT WORTH THE PROBLEMS OF WORRYING ABOUT INR CONSULTANT ADVISED SAFER THAN WARFARIN NO TO SELF TEST OR DOSE CAN HAVE ODD GLASS OF WINE DO NOT HAVE SAME WORRY WITHIN REASON ON TAKING OTHER DRUGS OVER THE COUNTER NO KNOWLEDGE ON XARELTO PROBLEMS I SEE NO BEST PRACTICE ALL CONSULTANTS HAVE DIFFERING VIEWS AND ADVISE DIFFERENT TABLETS I WAS PUT ONTO FLECANIDE YES IT HAS KEPT ME OUT OF AF FOR THREE YEARS BUT A NEW CONSULTANT SAYS THAT DRUG HAS DAMAGED MY CONDUCTORS AND WILL SOON NEED A PACEMAKER AND HE WOULD NEVER USE FLECANIDE

[Hidden]

Thank you the information was really useful and no doubt will help other users. Please keep me informed if you suffer any more side effects beside the indigestion and loose bowel movement. Yes, it better than worrying about your INR being Theraputic.

Keep well

Kind regards

Pedro

[maejane]

hi I have recently changed from phenindione to rivaroxaban only last month, because the lack of availabilty of phenindione. I am one of the very lucky ones who are allowed to go onto this new drug, but I have noticed that I am itching alot more than I was on the original drug warfarin, but am determined to persevere because of all the freedom this new drug givens.

[Hidden in reply to maejane]

Thank you maejane for advising us of this side effect and will add this to our list.

Please let me know of any other side effects you might have so that me can monitor the side effects of rivaroxaban, which will be of interst to many users.

[drumcannon in reply to maejane]

do u get this free on nhs if so what area do u live thanks drumcannon

[maejane in reply to drumcannon]

hi yes I do get it free, i live in the north east of scotand (we get free prescriptions)

[drumcannon in reply to maejane]

thks u r so lucky for me to replace warfarin to pradaxa g p only able to give me a private prescription which costs me a £110 for a months supply

[drumcannon]

never had either drug mentioned by either my g p or consultant but as long as safe anything to get away from limitations of warfarin is a bonus good luck with the drug

[Lynneiow]

I have a genetic blood clotting disorder, so l am on Warfarin for life. When I asked my GP about the possibilty of going on to Pradaxa, I was told that it hasn't been licensed for long-term use yet. Has anyone else been told this?

[warfarin1 in reply to Lynneiow]

it is licenced for prevention of blood clots in hip and knee surgery

for the prevention of stroke in non-valvular atrial fibrillation

for the secondary prevention of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism

[Lynneiow]

Warfarin prevents me getting another DVT, so does that mean i've been fobbed off?

[Hidden]

No, it,s going to be upto your GP or specialist whether you go on one of the new anticoagulants. I have asked my GP whether I could go on one of the new drugs and he has approached my specialist at Addenbrooks Hospitail and I am awaiting a reply!!!

[pucc1n1]

Since I cannot get stable on Warfarin, on 17 mg per day, and now am experiencing itching more than on lower doses. Both my consultant at hospital and at my GP have mentioned a possible change to Dabigatran (otherwise known as Pradaxa) and Rivaroxaban (USA name?). I understand that Dabigatran is not licensed for PEs which is what I have, but is for DVT and AF. However, I may be able to go on it, but I want to research the drugs thoroughly myself before then. Funding due to the drugs high cost may be an issue though. There is a lot of USA research on the internet for both including comments from the FDA. Dabigatran does have to be taken twice daily, unlike Warfarin, a side effect is indigestion, and you have to keep to a more exacting time schedule than Warfarin as its effect wears off more quickly. Its half-life is 12-17 hours vs. 20-60 hours for Warfarin. It doesn't interact with Vit K foods like Warfarin and does have immediate effect unlike Warfarin's slow build-up of say 3 days. I am very interested in hearing more of these new drugs.

[yoyodine]

I am in New Zealand and suffer from Factor V Leiden. I had DVT and PE and was on Warfarin. I had major side effects on Warfarin (Coumadin). They were Rectal Bleeding from hard stool. Major Tinnitus. Indigestion. I have now been on Pradaxa for three month and have had no side effects apart from getting easily bruised, which is really normal and of not much concern as I had the same on aspirin. I am able to eat what I want (especially salads and broccoli) and would honestly never go back to Warfarin. I rather die, that is what I told my doctors. Because of the major side effects I had with Warfarin (mainly the rectal bleeding), Pharmac actually pays for the meds and a three month course costs me NZD 20 for the prescripton and NZD3 for the meds.

[feorais]

Seems a lot of people have problems as above.Suggest you look at the new drug Apixaban (Eliquis) It's a Bristol Myers Squibb product for whom I worked for nigh on 30 years as Safety Manager here in Ireland.I started on it about 2 weeks ago as an alternative to Plavix. I have chronic AFib, was on Amiodarone but it is very toxic and was diagnosed as causing Amiodarone Induced Myopathy so I made decision to give Multaq another try- not a "nice" drug but lesser toxicity than Ami but not nearly as effective, so hence my decisuion to change to a more effective anticoagulant instead of Plavix. Eliquis is taken twice a day, and seemingly has the least predisposition to causing GI bleeding and of course, for all the Warfarin users, it would not require INR tests which I know can be a bind. I was on Warfarin about 20 years ago for about 9 months and had to have two emergency hemicolectomys due to its drastic effects in causing internal bleeding, barely escaped with my life! Hope this information is of assistance to somebody.

[jokelly]

I started to get bouts of AFib so was placed on Warfarin. Despite heavy dose my INR would not stabilise and then my hair and nails were affected and a general feeling of unwell. So I came off Warfarin and just took low dose aspirin only. I repeatedly requested Pradaxa from my GP but was refused. I was put on Flecainide and responded very well, getting four clear months. Was booked for catheter ablation, so had to be anti coagulated. The hospital then did prescribe three months worth of Pradaxa to cover the ablation period.

I had a bit of indigestion the first few days, but this soon cleared up and I had no adverse side effects whatsoever. Six weeks post ablation, the Pradaxa came to an end. I am still getting AFib maybe every few weeks. I have put myself back on aspirin and see the consultant at the end of February. I don't feel particularly safe without adequate anti coagulation and know that if I could tolerate it, I would be prescribed Warfarin again.

I have a letter from the department of health saying I am entitled and qualify for Pradaxa but the GP says only the hospital can prescribe it and I know they are very reluctant.

[rumpie]

I am having difficulty with warfarin due to sickness although I have only been on it for 6 weeks due to atrialfib, I hav been prescribed anti sickness tabs with not much success - so my INR is all over the place. My hospital has now prescribed Pradaza but have been warned there isn't an antidote shouldI accidentally overdose whereas with warfarin an injection of vit K sorts it out.

[jokelly]

Life is full of risks and they often have to be weighed one against another. I would take Pradaxa again if offered to me, which I know they won't without a fight, although I have a letter from the Dept of Health saying it is my right. On one hand, there were constant blood tests on Warfarin and high dosage which produced all the effects of arsenic poisoning in me, there is Flecainide which damages receptors and requires a probably pacemaker eventually. There is deciding to do without all or any of them and run the risks of not being coagulated even though AFib comes and goes.

Then there is Pradaxa - no blood testing, no side effects except initially and temporarily. There is a risk of bleeding fatally if you have a major trauma - but hey, surely you run that risk every day anyway from the moment you step outside your door. Life cannot be risk free, ever, and in the end the decision is yours and not that of a medic.

In my earlier post, you see that I had four months on Pradaxa. I see the consultant at the end of this month and will tell him I still have AFib episodes despite the ablation. Then my battle will begin again to persuade him to let me have this drug...... Meanwhile I have put myself back on the aspirin and crossed fingers.

[kfan]

My husband just discovered that he has a high calcium arterial score of 392 in his left descending artery. We discovered that Warfarin is a contributor to arterial calcification. Anyone know if that number warrants considering an angioplasty?