Blood Thinners

[Ern007]

Did not know where else to post this.

I am on RIVAROXABA 20mg as from to day for AFIB.. Question is - In the event of a bleed, is there an antidote, There is in the US, can't find one for the UK.

[peege]

Hi, I don't know where else you could have posted your question either!

There are loads of members here who take anti coagulants so hopefully someone will be along who can answer your question.

BTW, have you asked a pharmacist? P

[Ern007 in reply to peege]

Yes and the question is politely evaded. Saying the big bleed could only happen in overdose.

[Kristicats]

beta.nhs.uk/medicines/rivar...

Hope this helps Cx

[Carnival567]

I am on warfarin and the advice I am given is to contact the G.P. or go to a&e. The same would apply to you I should think. There is no over the counter antidote as far as I am aware. It has only happened to me once when I had a tooth out, even though the warfarin was stopped. I have been on warfarin for 10 years now for AF. I am now in permanent AF. You have to be sensible about what you do, use pressure if you have a small bleed, and get help if it doesn’t stop. Call an ambulance if it is really bad. All the best xx

P.S the antidote for warfarin is a vitamin k injection!

[Hidden]

In UK you should be carrying an alert card, In the event a bleed can't be stopped, you need emergency service.

beta.nhs.uk/medicines/rivar...

Whether you live in the UK or overseas, you should chat with your doctor about this if you are not clear on the precautions and procedures involved in taking the medicine you are prescribed.

This might be a good place to post your query of AFIB / then search blood thinners:-

healthunlocked.com/afassoci...

[Ern007 in reply to Hidden]

I have an alert card, but with no antidote, what can be done?

[Hidden in reply to Ern007]

as already mentioned + links the antidote is get to A&E if your bleed is not stopping or phone ambulance. If its not already been explained to you chat with your doctor.

[Damon1864 Volunteer]

I got a card to carry with me in my first prescription. I carry it in my bag all of the time.

😊 Bernadette xx

[Hidden]

At present there is no antidote to the three anticoagulants which include rivaroxaban. They use vitamin K to counter warfarin. I have bronchiectasis which can cause my lungs to bleed. The heart man and GP insisted that I take an anticoagulant for AF. My bronch specialist said that she would be seeing me with a haemorrhage! After two quite scary bleeds I braved the wrath of my GP and told him and my heart man that I would not take it any more.

To my surprise, the heart guy said that many people don’t take it and even wrote to my GP saying that as I was very low weight and low blood pressure I did not need to take the anticoagulant for the AF because of the risk of bleeding from the lungs.

I ask you.

[Ern007 in reply to Hidden]

Yes it's the internal bleeds that bother me. I have bad acid reflux, how would I know if I was having a bleed? I mean it is not visible.. I have been on Clopidogrel in the past with no side effects at all, my GP took me off that. I understand it is no good for AF, so I can't have it..

[catalog in reply to Ern007]

If you have internal bleeding you will know because your stool will suddenly turn black and tarry. When that happens, go to the nearest hospital.

[lKeith]

Ern007

Hi, Your GP should have told you before putting you on the medication. In the packet is a registration form for use to all of your providers. The dispensing chemist should be able to tell you.

IKeith

[Carkaisabellacolin]

Hi i have been on clexane for years more than 20yrs injections everyday. Cant say there pleasant but i have got use to them . I was advised from the beginning any unsual brusing to contact my doctor immediately. And if a cut does not stop then go straight to A and E.

I have been lucky with treatments.

I had a minor bleed in my stomach due to a fall whilst skiing i did feel unwell but once I told the doctor i was on thinning agents they acted fast.

From my experience just make sure you inform dentists and any where you go that medical history deems important.

Then you should be ok😊

[Dragonmum]

I was unable to have my Spirometry on Monday as my BP was too high. Sent to hospital for full bloods Tuesday, ECG at Practice on Weds. Appt with Doc yesterday and it appears I have AF - pulse 90+or-. He has prescribed Eliquis (Apixaban) but having read the side-effects I have not yet taken them. Anyone else on these? All my bloods are fine, no cholesterol issues and I'm very "anti" anticoagulants, my husband was on Warfarin for years. Having said that, I'll probably have to take these so would be glad to hear anyone's experience? I think you and I are on the same wavelength Ern - a bit shocked at the diagnosis and expecting the worst. There is an "always carry" card with this drug too & I'm a bit shocked by the 1 in 10 odds!!

[Ern007 in reply to Dragonmum]

Dragonmum - i have had AF for years, recently gone worse. Strange your story not unlike mine. I went to Thyroid Clinic my blood pressure was very low, they gave me drinks of water. When I see the doctor I asked him as he did not seem that interested about my low blood pressure. he said reading not reliable as I was in AFIB.. End of story on that.. I was shock at the speed of events, I was called by Dr at 8-30 AM and told to be in clinic by 10. I live very close no problem. May cardio finally sent results on a 72 hour tape and not that good.Locum could understand some of an essay of a letter...Cardio wanted me on blood thinners so he prescribed Rivaroxaban - I don't like them either but better than a STROKE. Right blood thinners IMO only half of the treatment - Years ago I had VT and was given Amiodarone because with COPD. that is the only realistic option. My thyroid doctor after years asked Cardio to stop them, which they did. I was gutted and as I warned my heart needed something... On the GP letter Cardio said I was to go on low dose Amiodarone - But locum did not know whether cardio was going to prescribe in January or should he. he took the safe option and wrote for clarification.

The who point of this is, as well as a blood thinner I believe you need a heart rate regulator to stop the cursed AF in it's tracks.

I have bitten the bullet at took mine. I checked with chemist who laughed and said.."Have you taken an overdose"? Because if not the need for a antidote is just not going to happen.

Dragonmum - I can't advise you what to do I am not qualified. I took mine because I knew AF was back and hey, what was the worst that could happen? I will tell you regular how I am getting on with tablet..Just one thing... When you are offered these drugs. it's highly probably that you would be in more danger without the drug.. Hope this help and best wishes..

[PEnotGymclass]

From the BMJ 'Currently in the UK, only one specific antidote, idarucizumab, is licensed for use and is indicated to reverse dabigatran in patients with life threatening haemorrhage or need for urgent surgery.'

The US has only just licenced antidotes for the rest of the NOAC range so I guess the UK will be licencing those soon enough if they are happy with them and if they do not cost too much.

Just worried if Brexit goes ahead, all the talk of having to stockpile medications and the possibility some will run out, great..

[Ern007 in reply to PEnotGymclass]

PEnotGymclass Thank's for that. Don;t believe Project Fear - drugs are not going to run out, we can buy all we need from the US and others.. After this threat I would do that anyway, praying on the fears of the ill.

[Dragonmum]

Thank you for your very interesting reply Ern007. I forgot to mention that he also prescribed 2 mg Perindopril 1 daily. My son was diagnosed with AF last December, he's always had episodes of palpitations - they mentioned Warfarin to him but decided to try beta-blockers first and they worked. He's just on low maintaining dose now, and he's fine. Thank you again for your interest and I agree that Project Fear' s going way over the top

[Ern007 in reply to Dragonmum]

Glad your son got it sorted,. beta Blockers are the ideal treatment, but I can't have them because they are dangerous with people who have COPD. Very best of luck to you both..

[hallentine47]

I am also on Riverozaban following a TIA 2 years ago and the discovery of AF. Following a very strenuous pulmonary Rehab session I started a nose bleed. I ended up in Exeter Hospital for 3 days and it took 16 hours of continuous bleeding before being taken under control, A nurse sat through the night with me applying cold compress to my neck and head and a very unpleasant instrument was pushed into my nose twice as it fell out at one point! There seemed to be no antidote available. I was anemic and very weak when I left to go home. The after effects were unpleasant as I had swallowed so much blood.I now wear a wrist band to alert any para medic in the event of an accident. Unfortunately due to the variety of meds I am on for other problems I cannot use Warfarin. Just another risk factor to balance with every thing else and hope we stay safe.

[Ern007 in reply to hallentine47]

Are you still on Riverozaban ? After all that. I like you am on a cocktail and can't take Warfarin. I was put on it was AF which I was in and out for long periods.

[hallentine47]

Yes still taking it and even the most minor injury, and I have many having delicate skin from the steroids, bleeds endlessly and takes forever to heal. But what is the alternative? GP warns me that not taking the drug leaves me vulnerable to worse things. Betty Davis said it "Getting old is not for sissies" which still makes me smile so all is not lost yet.

[Ern007 in reply to hallentine47]

Thank's for that. I was took off Amiodarone because of a pulse rate of 32. That really kicked AF in and am back on it.. Amiodarone like Atorvastatin can have interactions with Riverozaban - Thus far ok...Had a couple of minor bleeds from an expected source, seems to stop in a time that was not as bad as I thought...Getting old is not for "sissies" - That brought a smile to my face...