Common Side Effects Of Eliquis
Eliquis is an FDA approved prescription drug, but some side effects may occur. Common side effects are typically mild and resolve quickly. However, you should speak with your doctor if the following side effects dont go away:
- Bruising easily
- Spinal or epidural blood clots
- Increased risk of blood clots or stroke if Eliquis is discontinued abruptly
If I Have Chronic Kidney Disease Can I Take Xarelto
Typically, yes, although this may depend on how well your kidneys are working.
Your doctor will check your kidney function by calculating your creatinine clearance.
If you have chronic kidney disease and your creatinine clearance is at least 15 mL/min, its fine to take Xarelto to treat or prevent blood clots such as deep vein thrombosis * and pulmonary embolism .** But if your creatinine clearance is lower than this, Xarelto isnt usually recommended.
If you have chronic kidney disease, and youre taking Xarelto to reduce the risk of heart attacks and stroke, its fine to take the drug regardless of your creatinine clearance. In this case, Xarelto can also be used to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other complications from blood clots.
However, if you have atrial fibrillation *** and your creatinine clearance is 50 mL/min or less, youll be prescribed a dosage of Xarelto thats lower than the typical dosage.
The clinical studies of Xarelto for reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke didnt include people who were having dialysis for end stage kidney disease. So its not known how effective the drug is for reducing the risk of heart attacks and stroke in this group of people.
If you have kidney disease, talk with your doctor about whether youll be able to take Xarelto.
How To Manage Side Effects
Get your blood checked often if youre on warfarin or heparin. This is an international normalized ration test. It tells you how long it takes your blood to clot.
You can also try to stop uncontrollable bleeding before it starts. Here are a few tips:
- Use a soft toothbrush and waxed dental floss
- Use an electric razor
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What Should I Know About Stopping Eliquis Treatment
If and when your doctor recommends that you stop taking Eliquis, you can do so without tapering off the drug. This means you dont need to lower your Eliquis dosage gradually when stopping treatment.
However, stopping Eliquis before youre supposed to can raise your risk for developing a blood clot. And if you have a type of irregular heartbeat called atrial fibrillation , stopping Eliquis can increase your risk for having a stroke. Eliquis has a boxed warning for this side effect.
Dont stop taking Eliquis unless your doctor tells you to. If you need to stop taking Eliquis, your doctor may have you take a different drug to prevent blood clots.
Your doctor will explain if and when you should stop taking Eliquis. How long you take Eliquis depends on the reason youre taking it. For example, Eliquis only needs to be taken for 12 days after a knee replacement, because after this the risk of a blood clot is much lower.
However, when treating a DVT or PE, the length of treatment can vary depending on the likelihood that youll have another blood clot. And if youre taking Eliquis to prevent blood clots and stroke because you have AFib, youll likely need to take it long term.
When Is Rivaroxaban Used
- If you have atrial fibrillation , which increases your risk of stroke. Read more about atrial fibrillation and stroke.
- After hip or knee surgery when your risk of blood clots is increased.
- To treat and prevent recurrent deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism. Read more about DVT and pulmonary embolism.
The following video from the Bay of Plenty DHB is about the use of rivaroxaban in atrial fibrillation:
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What Are The Side Effects Or Complications Of These Medications
The most common side effect risk with any anticoagulant is bleeding. Depending on the medication used, other potential risks exist.
Warfarin
Warfarin has a much higher risk of causing bleeding because the dosage must be precise. Other risks and side effects include:
- Skin necrosis. This is a rare complication where warfarin causes clots to form in the blood vessels in your arms and legs, or in surface fatty tissue like breasts, buttocks or thighs. Those clots block blood flow, causing the affected areas of skin to die. This is most often seen in people who have deficiencies in certain blood proteins . Its usually seen within five days after you start warfarin, but is possible as late as 10 days after you start warfarin.
- Blue or purple toe. This is a color change in your toes and feet, especially on the soles of your feet or the sides of your toes. The condition is sometimes painful and usually happens anywhere from a few weeks to two months after you start taking warfarin.
- Congenital disabilities or miscarriages. Warfarin can damage an embryo or fetus, so it shouldn’t be taken during pregnancy. However, warfarin is safe when breastfeeding because it cant be passed through breast milk.
- Complications in patients with lupus. Warfarin dosing is usually higher in people with lupus or similar conditions. People who have lupus will often need to stop taking it before a medical procedure and switch to other medications to avoid bleeding problems.
Heparin and its derivatives
Pain With Breathing Or Other Chest Pains
Most people immediately consider that they may be having a heart attack when chest pain strikes. However, they do not know that a blood clot might have caused the heart trouble. For that reason, any chest pains you may experience could indicate that you have a blood clot. If you are sweating, and it is painful to breathe deeply, these are additional warning signs. Experts say that a blood clot that causes a pulmonary embolism feels like sharp pains in your chest. However, if your chest feels like it is holding a heavy weight, that is likely a heart problem. You should remember that both of these feelings can be a threat to your life.
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Eliquis And Herbs And Supplements
Below is information about whether Eliquis interacts with certain herbs and supplements.
Eliquis and St. Johns wort
Taking St. Johns wort with Eliquis can lower the level of Eliquis in your body. This could make Eliquis less effective.
Because of this, you should avoid using St. Johns wort while taking Eliquis.
Eliquis and turmeric
Its not known if turmeric interacts with Eliquis.
Turmeric contains a compound called curcumin, which is known to have anti-inflammatory effects . You shouldnt use certain anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen, while taking Eliquis.
Some research suggests that turmeric may affect the way that Eliquis is broken down in your body. This may lead to higher levels of Eliquis in your body, which could raise your risk for bleeding. However, its not known if turmeric affects the level of Eliquis enough to have a significant effect on your bleeding risk.
If youre interested in using turmeric or curcumin while taking Eliquis, talk with your doctor first.
Eliquis and melatonin
Melatonin may reduce your bodys blood clotting ability. Because Eliquis also reduces blood clotting, its possible that taking Eliquis with melatonin could raise your risk for bleeding.
However, this interaction hasnt been studied, and its not known for sure if it occurs. If you want to take melatonin with Eliquis, talk with your doctor first.
Eliquis and vitamin K
The way Eliquis works in your body isnt affected by taking vitamin K.
Eliquis and fish oil
Blood Clots And Cancer: How Are Blood Clots Treated
The North American Thrombosis Forum is a 5013 nonprofit organization incorporated by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. NATF is dedicated to improving the lives of those affected by blood clots and related diseases. Through our comprehensive resources and innovative programming, we strive to educate patients and healthcare providers about thrombosis and its complications.
NATF provides the information and materials on this site for general information purposes only. You should not rely on the information provided as a substitute for professional medical advice, care, or treatment. This site is not designed to and does not provide medical advice, professional diagnosis, opinion, treatment, or services to you or any individual. If you believe you have a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.
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Eliquis Warnings And Precautions
Tell your prescribing physician if you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant. Research is ongoing to determine if nursing mothers can pass Eliquis to babies through breast milk.
Eliquis is not advised for those prone to bleeding or with a history of liver or kidney disease. Before taking Eliquis, discuss medical conditions like stomach ulcers or antiphospholipid syndrome with your doctor.
Avoid taking Eliquis with other anticoagulants, such as warfarin or heparin. Drinking alcohol while taking Eliquis may increase your risk of gastrointestinal bleeding.
If you have upcoming surgery, including dental surgery, your doctor may advise you to temporarily stop taking Eliquis. Discuss any recent surgeries youve had as well, particularly heart valve surgery and spinal surgery.
Adverse drug interactions may occur with some antifungals, antibiotics, medications for abnormal heartbeat and anti-seizure medications. Patients may be advised to avoid NSAIDs and St. Johns Wort while taking Eliquis.
Xarelto For Preventing Vte In People Who Are Ill
Xarelto is FDA-approved to prevent venous thromboembolism in people who are admitted to a hospital with an acute medical illness. The drug is approved for this use in people who have an increased risk of blood clots, but who dont have a high risk of bleeding.
A VTE is a blood clot that forms in one of your veins . VTEs can travel throughout your body, including to your lungs. Youre at an increased risk of having a VTE if youre on bedrest or you cant move around very much.
Other risk factors for VTE include:
- having had a blood clot in the past
- a history of cancer
- a history of heart failure
- being 75 years of age or older
Xarelto is an anticoagulant . Its taken to prevent blood clots during your hospital stay. Youll also take it for a while after youre discharged from the hospital.
Effectiveness for preventing VTE in people who are ill
One clinical study compared treatment with Xarelto to treatment with enoxaparin for preventing VTE in people who were admitted to a hospital.
In this study, Xarelto was more effective than enoxaparin followed by a placebo in preventing blood clots in people admitted to the hospital.
For both Xarelto and enoxaparin, treatment was started in the hospital and continued after people were discharged from the hospital. One group of people took Xarelto for 31 to 39 days. A second group took enoxaparin for 6 to 14 days while they were in the hospital. This second group of people were then given a placebo to take after theyd been discharged.
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What To Do In Case Of Overdose
If you think youve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor. You can also call the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. But if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away.
When you get Xarelto from the pharmacy, the pharmacist will add an expiration date to the label on the bottle. This date is typically 1 year from the date they dispensed the medication.
The expiration date helps guarantee that the medication is effective during this time. The of the Food and Drug Administration is to avoid using expired medications. If you have unused medication that has gone past the expiration date, talk with your pharmacist about whether you might still be able to use it.
Xarelto For Reducing The Risk Of Cardiovascular Events In People With Cad
Xarelto is FDA-approved to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events, such as heart attack and stroke, in people with coronary artery disease . For this use, Xarelto is taken in combination with aspirin.
With CAD, you have narrowed arteries in your heart. This condition increases your risk of having blood clots that can cause a heart attack or stroke.
Xarelto is an anticoagulant . It reduces your risk of blood clots, which also reduces your risk of heart attack, stroke, or death caused by a cardiovascular event.
Effectiveness for reducing the risk of cardiovascular events in people with CAD
One clinical study found that when Xarelto was taken with aspirin for 23 months, it was more effective than aspirin alone in reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke in people with CAD.
In fact, people who took Xarelto plus aspirin were 26% less likely to have a heart attack or stroke, or to die from a cardiovascular event, than people who took aspirin alone.
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Thin Blood Vs Thick Blood
Thin blood presents problems with clotting, wound healing, and bruising.
On the other hand, thick blood can increase the risk of blood clots and thrombosis, which can be life threatening.
Risk factors for thick blood include:
depend on the underlying cause . However, sometimes treating the underlying cause may not change the platelet count, and the blood will remain thin.
On occasions, doctors will prescribe corticosteroids to treat thin blood in conditions such as idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura . In severe cases, they may recommend a platelet transfusion.
Side Effects Requiring Immediate Medical Attention
Along with its needed effects, apixaban may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking apixaban:
Rare
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Which Blood Thinner Is Best For You
Its hard to say one is better or worse, because there isnt that much data comparing them to one anotherweve mainly compared them against warfarin, says Jonathan Halperin, M.D., a professor of cardiology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City.
But there are differences you may want to ask your doctor about. For instance, apixaban was associated with the lowest risk of major bleeding in a 2016 study published in the journal Chest, and the lowest risk of gastrointestinal bleeding in elderly adults compared with dabigatran and rivaroxaban in a study published in the journal Gastroenterology in 2017.
Dabigatran carries an approximately 10 percent risk of heartburn so severe that patients have to switch drugs, Noseworthy says. And it cant be crushed, a problem if you have difficulty taking pills.
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How Long Does Eliquis Stay In Your System
Eliquis stays in your system for about 2 to 3 days after you stop taking it. For this reason, you should stop taking Eliquis at least 48 hours before a major surgery with a high risk for bleeding. For a surgery with a low risk for bleeding, youll need to stop taking the drug at least 24 hours beforehand.
Talk with your doctor about pausing your Eliquis treatment if you have a surgery scheduled.
Using more than the recommended dosage of Eliquis increases the risk of serious, life threatening bleeding.
Do not use more Eliquis than your doctor recommends.
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Keep These Tips In Mind If You Take Any Blood Thinner
1. Don’t double up on doses. Ask your doctor what you should do if you accidentally miss a dose of your blood thinner.
2. Be more careful when you exercise or are doing activities. “Even a trivial cut is going to bleed a lot on these medications,” says Molly Cooke, MD, of the University of California, San Francisco.
3. Wear gloves when you use sharp objects like scissors, knives, and gardening tools.
4. Switch to an electric razor.
5. Wear shoes as often as possible — always when you mow the lawn or garden.
6. Use a soft toothbrush and waxed dental floss to clean your teeth.
7. If your doctor says you can do sports like biking or skiing, wear a helmet. But “tackle football is out,” says Natalie Evans, MD, of the Cleveland Clinic — even with a helmet.
8. Wear a medical alert bracelet in case you’re in an accident and can’t talk. Keep a note in your wallet, purse, or phone that lists the medications you take.
9. If you fall or get hit hard, call your doctor or go to the hospital right away, even if there’s no blood. A bruise anywhere on your body means you’re bleeding beneath the skin. And a head injury can cause bleeding under your skull.
10. Make sure any doctor who prescribes medication for you knows you’re taking a blood thinner. Ask them to look up the drug interactions. For warfarin especially, the list is long. It may be hard to remember them all without looking.
Eliquis For Treating Dvt And Pe
Eliquis is FDA-approved to treat deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism .
A DVT is a blood clot that forms in a vein deep inside your body and blocks blood flow. DVTs most commonly occur in a vein in your leg, but they can also occur in your arm. A PE is a blood clot that blocks blood flow to your lungs. It usually occurs when a DVT gets dislodged and travels through your veins to your lungs.
Eliquis treats DVT and PE by stopping these types of blood clots from getting bigger. This allows your body to break down and clear the clot.
Effectiveness for treating DVT and PE
In a clinical study, Eliquis was found to be effective for treating DVT and PE. In this study, Eliquis was compared with enoxaparin plus warfarin .
Enoxaparin and warfarin are effective anticoagulants that are commonly used to treat blood clots. Enoxaparin is given by injection, and warfarin is taken by mouth. Warfarin takes a few days to build up its effect, so enoxaparin is given along with warfarin for the first few days of treatment.
In this 6-month study:
- 0.8% of people who took Eliquis had a DVT during treatment
- 1.3% of people who took enoxaparin plus warfarin had a DVT during treatment
- 0.4% of people who took Eliquis died from a blood clot during treatment
- 0.6% of people who took enoxaparin plus warfarin died from a blood clot during treatment
View the drugs prescribing information for more effectiveness information.
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