Anticoagulants

[Mrverycross]

Hi all,

I have been on Rivaroxaban since I was diagnosed with AF some 30 months ago when i became more obviously symptomatic. I have just been informed by the pharmacist that the GP has switched me onto Edoxaban 'in accordance with national guidelines", which I assume means NICE.

So I have two questions which I wonder whether members can help me with:

1)Are national guidelines to use Edoxaban?

2)How does Edoxaban compare to Rivaroxaban?

I dislike having my meds switched 'just like that' without a discussion; I like to understand what, where why, how etc.

So I hope You may be able to give me some info. Talking to the GP is nigh on impossible and so I'll have to ask the pharmacist when i collect.

[Hidden]

No one on here should really advise you comparing the two drugs you mention, unless they are fully medically qualified to do so. However there is information on the NICE site about both drugs (I found out through a web search) so you may be able to answer your own questions if you look for yourself. The bottom line line however may be that you have to get to see your GP if you have questions about the switch however difficult that may be.

[meadfoot]

Ask your GP and expect a clear, concise explanation and justification for the change that you are happy with. Dont just take the pharmacists word for it. My pharmacist changed my brand of flecaininde and it was not as effective as my original brand although the ingredients are meant to be the same.

He tried to tell me I was getting used to flecainide so it was less effective. I changed pharmacist and went back to my original brand and it worked well as usual. Dont be pushed around go to a source who gives you useful information and in which you trust. Its your body no one else cares for it like you do.

[Zac11]

I was switched from Apixaban to Edoxaban by my GP. It's purely for cost reasons, but I had no problems with the change and only have to take one pill per day instead of two (along with various others).

[rizal]

As said by others, we cannot comment here on relative effectiveness of different drugs as we are not qualified to do so. A quick search of comparisons of the two drugs will throw up results in the form of studies carried out on the drugs. These may or may not be relevant in terms of your condition and the mix of other meds you take and how they affect you.

[Silvasava]

I've been on Edoxaban since a stroke in December 2019, no issues with it at all. I don't know what the difference is with Rivaroxaban but they would seem to be very similar and do the same job. Hav'n't read of anyone having particular issues with it. HTH

[richard_jw]

Happened to me. It seems that Edoxaban is more effective that Rivaroxaban for AF patients in trials. I believe it has lower incidence of major bleeding as well.Well that is what the cardiologist told me!!!

All cases are different, so you should ask the question.

[seniorita]

My surgery has the facility to speak to a clinical pharmacist, easier to speak to than a GP. They can answer a lot of questions for you, and if in doubt will refer to GP.

[Mrverycross]

hi All

Thanks for your replies.

My second question was badly worded- a result of speed, trying to keep the post short and reading into the words written what I was thinking.

I guess I was asking: Does anyone know if any trials/results give any details about Edoxaban. I've read what I believe is some info that implies Edoxaban may be more suitable for my condition but then I may be not be quite reading it correctly; or if anyone had been switched from Rivaroxaban to Edoxaban and noticed any difference; or if anyone was on Edoxaban and had any side-effects. I've had no major problems with Rivaraxaban; only the usual blood clotting issues and a (resurrected) propensity for nose bleeds which take time to stop (Ihad a lot as a child). So the switch is a concern especially when there is not a discussion/explanation. A short, hurried call from the pharmacist just stating National Guidelines is not what I need/find helpful.

The issue with talking to the GP is that I cannot get an appointment. There is an online system (which not even the triage system nor secretary can override unless it is an emergency) and whenever I check there is no appointment.

So my post was to try to garner some info/direction of investigation while I try to speak to the professionals. Not that my GP knows much about this subject as it is not an area of interest.

While ive been typing I see that there have been a couple of replies from richard-jw and seniorita which seem to give more info, so thanks to you as well.