Side Effect Of Blood Thinner

Important Safety Information & Indications

For people taking ELIQUIS for atrial fibrillation: Do not stop taking ELIQUIS without talking to the doctor who prescribed it for you. Stopping ELIQUIS increases your risk of having a stroke.

ELIQUIS may need to be stopped prior to surgery or a medical or dental procedure. Your doctor will when you should stop taking ELIQUIS and when you may start taking it again. If you have to stop taking ELIQUIS, your doctor may prescribe another medicine to help prevent a blood clot from forming.

ELIQUIS can cause bleeding, which can be serious, and rarely may lead to death. This is because ELIQUIS is a blood thinner medicine that reduces blood clotting.

You may have a higher risk of bleeding if you take ELIQUIS and take other medicines that increase your risk of bleeding, such as aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , warfarin, heparin, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors , and other medicines to help prevent or treat blood clots. Tell your doctor about all of the medicines you take, including any over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

While taking ELIQUIS, you may bruise more easily and it may take longer than usual for any bleeding to stop.

• headaches, or feeling dizzy or weak

ELIQUIS is not for patients with artificial heart valves.

ELIQUIS is not for use in people with antiphospholipid syndrome , especially with positive triple antibody testing, who have a history of blood clots.

Signs Of Bleeding Or A High Inr Are:

• Bleeding from cuts that do not stop
• Nosebleeds that do not stop
• Gums bleed when you brush your teeth
• Coughing up blood
• Vomit that looks like coffee grounds
• Bruising in unusual areas or for unknown reasons
• Heavy periods or unexpected bleeding from the vagina
• Bowel movements that looks black or have blood in them
• Red or rust-colored in the urine
• Bleeding in the eye
• Getting a sudden headache, dizziness, or weakness

Always Talk To Your Health Care Provider

If you have any side effects after beginning Eliquis, contact your health care provider. But do not stop taking the medication, and do not let your prescription run out. The risk of stroke is increased if you abruptly stop taking Eliquis.

Jennifer Hadley

Jen Hadley is a freelance writer and journalist based in Los Angeles, who writes extensively about the medical, legal, health care, and consumer products industries. Jen is a regular contributor to RxSaver.

Carina Fung, PharmD, BCPPS

Carina Fung, PharmD, BCPPS., is a pharmacist who earned her PharmD from St. Johnâs University in Queens, NY. She maintains an active practice, serving as a Board-Certified Pediatric Pharmacotherapy Specialist at a large metropolitan teaching hospital in New York City. Carina has also published in pharmacy journals and works as a consultant reviewing medical articles for publication.

The information on this site is generalized and is not medical advice. It is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your healthcare professional. Always seek the advice of your healthcare professional with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard seeking advice or delay in seeking treatment because of something you have read on our site. RxSaver makes no warranty as to the accuracy, reliability or completeness of this information.If you are in crisis or you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.

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Financial And Insurance Assistance

If you need financial support to pay for Eliquis, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, the manufacturer of Eliquis, offers a program called Eliquis 360 Support. For more information and to find out if youre eligible for support, call 855-ELIQUIS or visit the program website for your particular condition: atrial fibrillation or deep vein thrombosis /pulmonary embolism .

Watch Vitamin K In Your Diet When Taking A Blood Thinner

Your body makes clots and prevents bleeding by using vitamin K, and blood thinners work by blocking vitamin Kdependent clotting factors. That means a diet rich in vitamin K, which is found in leafy green vegetables, like spinach and kale, will diminish the effect of an anticoagulant blood thinner such as warfarin. You can reduce the amount of vitamin K you get in your diet by choosing iceberg lettuce over baby spinach in salads, but you dont have to completely avoid it, Garcia says. Rather, aim to get about the same amount of vitamin K every day to avoid fluctuations in the effectiveness of your blood thinner and avoid side effects.

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How To Take Your Blood Thinner

Always take your blood thinner as directed. For example, some blood thinners need to be taken at the same time of day, every day.

Never skip a dose, and never take a double dose.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If you dont remember until the next day, call your doctor for instructions. If this happens when your doctor is not available, skip the missed dose and start again the next day. Mark the missed dose in a diary or on a calendar.

A pillbox with a slot for each day may help you keep track of your medicines.

How To Tell If The Bleeding Is An Emergency

When you’re taking a blood thinner, says Gomes, you may bruise more easily and may also notice bleeding around your gums after brushing your teeth. In most cases, bleeding caused by blood thinners is not serious, according to the NBCA. If you get a minor cut while working in the yard or the kitchen, the bleeding might last longer than usual. You could also experience frequent nosebleeds that last for several minutes. Though frustrating and inconvenient, these occurrences aren’t life-threatening.

However, blood thinners can cause dangerous bleeding that requires immediate medical attention, says Gomes. Major bleeding complications include internal bleeding in the stomach, bowel, or brain, he says. “This could be life-threatening, he adds. Intracranial hemorrhage is the most feared complication. And, Haut notes, the damage caused by bleeding in the brain may be irreversible.

So, in addition totaking steps to prevent bleeding, it’s also important to recognize the warning signs of this potentially serious side effect:

• Excessive menstrual bleeding
• Coughing up anything red in color
• Severe headache or stomachache
• Blood in the urine or bowel movements

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When To Visit A Doctor

It is recommendable that patients consult their doctors as soon as they notice some unusual symptoms. Noticing a single incident of blood in semen should not be treated as an emergency, especially among young men. However, men should consult their doctors if the condition is recurring and worsens with time. It should also be a big concern if the man is experiencing pain in the groin area when the sperms have blood. The doctors will evaluate the condition and determine the most appropriate treatment.

Is Eliquis Hard On The Kidneys

Since only about 25% of Eliquis is broken down by the kidneys, several top heart doctors claim its a better alternative to other blood thinners. While this could be good news for older patients with kidney problems, the FDA is still looking into Eliquis to determine all of the effects it has on both the liver and kidneys. Refer to the FDA for more drug information.

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Side Effects Of Blood Thinners You Need To Know

Blood thinners are chemical substances which are used to avoid or prevent clotting of blood. Blood clots cause a hindrance in the flow of blood to the heart and in extreme situations can also completely stop this process. Blood thinners are used as an oral or via intravenous medication to stop the development of such clots. They are usually used by individuals with heart diseases such as heart valve disease, irregular heart rhythms etc.

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Blood In Urine Or Stool

Blood in the urine or stool is a potentially serious side effect of blood thinners. It is a sign of excessive bleeding, and patients should seek immediate medical attention if they experience this side effect. When blood is present in the urine, it might appear red or brown. Blood in the stool typically makes the stool appear red or black, and patients might also see drops of blood on the toilet paper or in the toilet bowl after having a bowel movement. To investigate blood in the urine or stool, doctors will order blood tests, and it may be necessary to take urine or stool samples and do a rectal exam. If doctors determine the symptoms are caused by the patient’s medication, this may be stopped temporarily until symptoms resolve. The patient may also be switched to a different blood thinner to see if it does not cause this side effect.

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Other Causes Of Blood In Sperm

Ruptured blood vessels: Blood vessels in seminal vesicles and prostate can rupture during sex or ejaculation, which results in blood in semen. It is not a severe health concern, and it quickly heals.

Rigorous sex after abstaining for prolonged periods: Men experience blood in their sperm after having sex from prolonged abstinence.

Infection: Inflammation due to infections on the urinary tract results in blood in sperm. Other signs related to such infections are enduring pain when urinating or ejaculating.

Prostate issues: Health issues such as prostatitis can result from blood in semen. When prostate issues cause bleeding, the man experiences pain and a swollen groin.

Despite the cause, having blood in semen should not be a cause for alarm. Instead, victims should promptly seek medical attention to have the condition treated. Earlier treatment helps to avoid other severe implications.

Eliquis Side Effects And How To Avoid Them

Eliquis side effects | Minor vs. severe bleeding | Fatigue | Allergic reactions | Warnings | Interactions | How to avoid side effects | When to see a doctor | Discontinuing Eliquis | Xarelto vs. Eliquis

Eliquis is a brand-name blood thinner that reduces the risk of a stroke or blood clots in people with a condition known as atrial fibrillation . It also helps reduce blood clots in those whove recently had hip or knee replacement surgery. Your healthcare provider may prescribe Eliquis to treat or prevent pulmonary embolism , which are blood clots in the lungs, or deep vein thrombosis blood clots most commonly in the legs. As a blood thinner, Eliquis is associated with some serious side effects. Your healthcare provider will determine whether its right for you, but here are some Eliquis side effects to be aware of.

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Top 10 Blood Thinners Side Effects

Aspirin has long been a mainstay of preventing abnormal blood clotting. It works by reducing the tendency of platelets to form together when not necessary, and is still considered a treatment option for some people. While aspirin taken daily under doctors orders has long been used to help prevent blood clots, it is regularly being passed up in favor of newer and purportedly better prescription medications.

Typically these types of medications are used in people who have had a stroke or heart attack or are more susceptible to same. They can also be used for the treatment of many health conditions, such as those that thicken the blood. Most commonly though, their use is prevention based, for people suffering from conditions like deep vein thrombosis . In the case of DVT, these medications do not serve as a blot clot treatment rather they are used in an effort to stave off further coagulation activity in the blood.

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What To Do In Case Of Overdose

If you think youve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor. They may recommend that you take activated charcoal. This should only be done under the supervision of your doctor.

You can also call the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 800-222-1222 or use their online tool if youve taken too much Eliquis. But if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

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Secretive Side Effect Of Blood Thinner On Men

Physicians prescribe both men and women blood thinners, which seem safe and beneficial. Men at the risk of clot formation use blood thinners to ease the flow of blood in their veins and arteries. Individuals at the risk of heart diseases and stroke use blood thinners to minimize risk of complications that can lead to fatalities. A variation exists in the dosage prescribed to men and women since the latter are not subject to optimal treatment. Health experts recommend that health experts research the factors that determine the difference between men and women.

Blood thinners have some secretive side effects on men. Among them include experiencing blood in sperm and contributing to erectile dysfunction. The two side effects can damage the mans self-esteem. However, using blood thinners significantly helps increase prostate cancer patients survival rate. Therefore, despite the adverse effects, men also benefit from the medication.

Drugs That Prevent Blood Clots Come With Risks

There are a number of reasons your doctor might prescribe a blood thinner: if you are at risk of blood clots because youve recently had a surgery if youve had a heart valve replacement if you have certain heart or blood vessel diseases or if you have a congenital heart defect. Blood thinners are also used for people with abnormal heart rhythms: atrial fibrillation . This category of drug helps stop blood clots from forming or keeps existing clots from growing. Theyre important drugs because blood clots can lead to life-threatening heart attacks, strokes, and other blockages.

Blood thinners include both antiplatelet drugs such as aspirin, Plavix , Brilinta , and Effient , as well as anticoagulants such as the older drugs warfarin and newer drugs Pradaxa , Xarelto , Eliquis , and Savaysa . Your doctor will consider certain risks before prescribing one for you, but newer anticoagulants are generally safer and easier to use than the older ones.

Antiplatelet drugs work differently from anticoagulants. Antiplatelet drugs block the release of the hormone thromboxane, which signals blood cells to clump together , whereas more aggressive anticoagulants interfere with the production of the proteins in blood that actually make it possible for blood cells to clot.

But blood thinners come with a number of risks and serious side effects, too, if not used properly particularly anticoagulants.

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When To See A Doctor For Eliquis Side Effects

While Eliquis is an effective medication, certain side effects will require immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you are experiencing:

• Severe bleeding that wont stop
• Recurring nosebleeds that last longer than 10 minutes
• Bloody pink, red, or brown urine
• Bloody or black tarry stool
• Abnormal vaginal bleeding
• Bloody or coffee ground-like vomit
• Potent headaches
• Coughing up blood
• Difficulty breathing

Experiencing any of the above side effects you must contact your doctor immediately and it might also be a good indicator that its time to stop taking Eliquis and consider alternative medications, such as warfarin or Heparin.

Can Eliquis Be Crushed Cut Or Chewed

If you have trouble swallowing Eliquis tablets whole, they can be crushed. However, Eliquis tablets shouldnt be cut in half or chewed.

Crushed tablets can be mixed with water, apple juice, apple sauce, or 5% dextrose in water . The mixture should be taken by mouth right after mixing.

For people who cant take medication by mouth, Eliquis can also be taken through a nasogastric tube . When taken this way, Eliquis should be crushed and mixed with 2 ounces of water or 5% dextrose in water.

If you have trouble swallowing Eliquis tablets whole, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about the best way to take the drug.

Eliquis is used to treat and prevent dangerous blood clots that can block blood vessels in your body.

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Which Medication Will I Be Given

Antiplatelet medication is often the first blood-thinner used after a TIA or ischaemic stroke. This could include aspirin, clopidogrel and sometimes dipyridamole. Later, you might change to anticoagulants or stay on antiplatelets. Some people will start on anticoagulants straight away.

You should have a checkup at least once a year to make sure the medication is working and check your other stroke risk factors. You will need more frequent checks if you are on some types of anticoagulant.

This guide can only give general information. You should always get individual advice about your own health and any treatment you may need from a medical professional such as a GP or pharmacist.

You can find more details about the medications in this guide on nhs.ukmedicines. Always read the patient information leaflet that comes with your medication.

Stay Safe While Taking Your Blood Thinner

You can be bleeding but not see any blood. For example, if you fall and hit your head, bleeding can occur inside your skull. Or, if you hurt your arm during a fall and then notice a large purple bruise, this means you are bleeding under your skin.

Because you are taking a blood thinner, you should try not to hurt yourself and cause bleeding. You need to be careful when you use knives, scissors, razors, or any sharp object that can make you bleed.

You also need to avoid activities and sports that could cause injury. Swimming and walking are safe activities. If you would like to start a new activity that will increase the amount of exercise you get every day, talk to your doctor.

You can still do many things that you enjoy. If you like to work in the yard, you still can. Just be sure to wear sturdy shoes and gloves to protect yourself. If you like to ride your bike, be sure you wear a helmet.

To prevent injury indoors:

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