What are the pros and cons of Eliquis?

Asked by: Frank Walsh II  |  Last update: October 13, 2023
Score: 4.5/5 (55 votes)

Eliquis is less likely to cause life-threatening or fatal bleeding problems than anticoagulants like warfarin.
  • You need to take Eliquis twice a day. ...
  • Taking Eliquis increases your bleeding risk (for example, cuts can take longer to stop bleeding).

What is the downside of taking Eliquis?

Common Eliquis side effects include nosebleeds, bleeding gums, bruising easily and bleeding that takes longer to stop. Internal bleeding is a rare serious side effect. Stopping Eliquis suddenly may increase the risk of blood clots.

What is the best blood thinner with the least side effects?

Direct oral anticoagulants, or DOACs, have been found to be safer than warfarin for patients with atrial fibrillation. A new study published in November 2022 in Annals of Internal Medicine found apibaxan to be the safest blood thinner among DOACs, including dabigatran, edoxaban and rivaroxaban.

What are the long-term side effects of Eliquis?

Long-term side effects of Eliquis

Eliquis is unlikely to cause long-term side effects. However, if you have a spinal procedure such as a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) or epidural injection while taking Eliquis, it could cause a spinal or epidural hematoma (blood clot in your spine).

What are the best blood thinners for seniors?

Anticoagulants are the most common blood thinners prescribed to seniors. A popular one is warfarin, which goes by the brand names Coumadin and Jantoven and is administered in pill form. Popular alternatives to warfarin include dabigatran (Pradaxa), rivaroxiban (Xarelto) and apixaban (Eliquis).

Blood Thinners for AFib: Do You Need Them?

33 related questions found

Which blood thinner is easiest on kidneys?

DOACs are a novel type of blood thinner that require less monitoring and are easier to take than VKAs like warfarin. They've been shown to work as well – if not better – at preventing strokes with fewer side effects. DOACs also appear safer than VKAs in patients with early stage kidney disease.

What are the side effects of blood thinners in the elderly?

Other more serious side effects include:
  • Bloody or black stools.
  • Coughing up blood and blood clots.
  • Red, pink, or brown urine.
  • Uncontrollable bleeding.
  • Vomit that resembles coffee grounds.

How long are patients usually on Eliquis?

If you're taking Eliquis to reduce the risk of DVT occurring again, it should be taken for at least 6 months to lower your risk of a stroke or blood clots. And for some people, it will be a lifelong treatment. Talk to your healthcare provider about how long you'll need Eliquis.

Is Eliquis high risk?

Eliquis may not be right for you if you have any of the following: bleeding disorders, kidney or liver disease, stomach ulcers, problems with your heart valves, artificial heart valves, open wounds, if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, or if you tend to fall or are at risk for falls.

When should Eliquis be discontinued?

The dose should not be doubled to make up for a missed dose. ELIQUIS should be discontinued at least 48 hours prior to elective surgery or invasive procedures with a moderate or high risk of unacceptable or clinically significant bleeding.

Is fatigue a side effect of Eliquis?

Tiredness wasn't reported in clinical studies of Eliquis. However, tiredness can be a symptom of blood loss or anemia, which are possible side effects of Eliquis. If you have tiredness while taking Eliquis, talk with your doctor. They may check you for any symptoms of internal bleeding.

What not to do while on blood thinners?

If you are taking a blood thinner, you should avoid drinking alcohol. Call your doctor if you are unable to eat for several days, for whatever reason. Also call if you have stomach problems, vomiting, or diarrhea that lasts more than 1 day. These problems could affect your blood thinner dose.

What can be used instead of Eliquis?

There are also several newer blood thinners available now, including Eliquis® (apixaban), Pradaxa® (dabigatran), Xarelto® (rivaroxaban), and Savaysa® (edoxaban). For people who need an alternative, there are heart procedures that can effectively reduce the risk of stroke.

Why is Eliquis so good?

Eliquis is a powerful blood thinner prescribed to prevent strokes and potentially fatal blood clots. Manufacturer Bristol-Myers Squibb markets it as the most effective drug in its class at preventing strokes while minimizing bleeding that is common with similar anticoagulants.

Does Eliquis make you pee more?

frequent need to urinate or pain while urinating • coughing. The above list includes the more common side effects of your medicine.

What is the lawsuit against Eliquis?

Lawsuits allege that clinical trials used to support Eliquis' approval were deeply flawed, which led patients to use a harmful drug that should not have been on the market in the first place. FDA delayed approval of Eliquis for 9 months over misconduct, errors, and an alleged cover-up at a clinical trial site in China.

Why is Eliquis so much money?

Pharmacy selection can also affect the cost of prescription medicine significantly. Brand name drugs cost more than the generic versions. At present, since the generic drug apixaban is not available in the U.S., American consumers have to buy brand name Eliquis and pay more for their prescriptions.

Does Eliquis cause hair loss?

Commonly used anticoagulants that may cause hair loss include: Heparin. Warfarin (Coumadin) Apixaban (Eliquis)

Can you still get blood clots while on Eliquis?

Yes. Medications that are commonly called blood thinners — such as aspirin, warfarin (Jantoven), dabigatran (Pradaxa), rivaroxaban (Xarelto), apixaban (Eliquis), edoxaban (Savaysa) and heparin — greatly decrease your risk of blood clotting. But they don't prevent blood clots completely.

Why does Eliquis cause joint pain?

Can Eliquis cause joint pain or leg weakness? No, it's not expected to. Neither joint pain nor leg weakness was reported in studies of Eliquis. If you're taking Eliquis to prevent blood clots after having a hip or knee replacement, joint pain or leg weakness may be due to your procedure.

Can I take Tylenol with Eliquis?

There are not any known interactions between Eliquis and acetaminophen (Tylenol). However, other over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers are known to interact with Eliquis.

Can you live a long healthy life on blood thinners?

How will blood thinners impact my lifestyle? While there are some risks with taking certain blood thinning medications, it's possible to live a healthy and active life. You can reduce the risks of both bleeding and clotting by doing the following: Follow your treatment plan.

Why should you avoid blood thinners?

The reason is that blood thinners are preventing your body's natural ability to clot blood, which it does to stop bleeding or minor wounds. So when taking a blood thinner, you might notice increased bleeding from cuts or scrapes, more frequent or more intense nosebleeds, or heavier-than-normal periods.