Eliquis side-effects muscle weakness and numb/tingling toes

Posted by msvjv @msvjv, Oct 20 9:46pm

Hi. I had two episodes of multiple bi-lateral lung clots and was put on 5mg Eliquis twice a day in 2019. After several months I found myself unable to walk any distance without my thighs feeling like they had no energy. I’d have to stop and rest over and over again but had no trouble breathing.

About a year ago I noticed that my toes felt like they were numb or walking up from being “asleep”.

Both of these continue today. Anyone else with these symptoms on Eliquis? Has anyone been reduced to 2.5 mg twice a day after 6 months on 5 mg twice a day?

My pcp doesn’t seem concerned and doesn’t think I should go down to 2.5 mg twice a day.

Thanks in advance for responses.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Lung Health Support Group.

grrranny | @grrranny | Oct 23 4:35am

I think I'd want a second opinion. Do you have a pulmonologist?

msvjv | @msvjv | Oct 23 7:12am

In reply to @grrranny "I think I'd want a second opinion. Do you have a pulmonologist?" + (show)

Thank you for replying. I had an appointment with a hematologist on Monday and he said those symptoms are definitely connected to the Eliquis, reducing to 2.5 is appropriate in my case (he asked me questions about the circumstances surrounding my lung clots) and doing so should reduce the side effect.

msvjv | @msvjv | Nov 6 7:26am

Have you had side effects from long term use of Eliquis?

kdalda75 | @kndaustin71 | Nov 7 9:49am

In reply to @msvjv "Have you had side effects from long term use of Eliquis?" + (show)

I have had short term side-effects from the use of Eliquis....I had been on warfarin for an extended period of time. My INR's were a tad erratic, so the physician changed me to Eliquis 2.5.mg daily. A week later, I had death defying episode of vertigo,....for the next 8 months played patty-cake with ENT, Neuro conults to identifiy my sudden onset of dizziness (up to 3-4 times per day) followed by a disequilibrium when walking. I finally did a deep-dive research in notable sites. Lo and Behold, an NIH site listed side effects system by system....neuro - vertigo, ataxia and dizziness! Stopped taking it on 8/8/2024 after having started it on 11/13/2023 - haven't been dizzy since and went back on the old-fashioned warfarin. Do your research, dig deep into the side effects and make your decisions from there.

msvjv | @msvjv | Nov 7 5:01pm

In reply to @kndaustin71 "I have had short term side-effects from the use of Eliquis....I had been on warfarin for..." + (show)

Thank you. After my first episode I had to go for warfarin injections for 3 months as I recall. With the second episode I was put on Eliquis “for life”. The biggest difference as I recall is vitamin k as an antidote if needed where Eliquis has none.

It’s been since 2014 when I had the first episode. I assume warfarin is still administered by injection? I’d be willing to switch assuming the side effects I’m having aren’t associated with warfarin too. Lots to consider. I can reach out to my hematologist again because I’m having second thoughts.

Thanks for the reply.

kdalda75 | @kndaustin71 | Nov 7 7:39pm

In reply to @msvjv "Have you had side effects from long term use of Eliquis?" + (show)

Hopefully I have not mislead you! Warfarin is not administered by injection, it is in tablet form of varying milligrams and adjusted as needed by monitoring lab work - PT/INR - as the physician sees fit so that you remain with the desired range based on the reason that you are on it to begin with. You are right about Vitamin K, it will help reverse the effects. The only injection for anti-coagulant therapy that I am familiar with is Heparin or Lovenox. In my reading, there is now an antidote for Eliquis----Andexanet alfa (Andexxa - brand name). But make sure you discuss this all with your PCP. Are you worried about being on Eliquis because you were unaware that there was an antidote or for another reason. There are pros and cons to both in more ways than one. Hope this helps in making a decision.

Justin McClanahan, Moderator | @JustinMcClanahan | 4 hours ago

Hello @msvjv, I combined your Eliquis side-effects discussions into one and also added it to the Heart & Blood Health group to help more members see your discussion, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/eliquis-muscle-weakness-and-numbtingling-toes/.

I'd also like to invite @lizthebrit, @joaf37, @arctic22, @lucyjake and @pickleball1946 to this discussion as they have all mentioned using Eliquis and some of its side-effects and concerns about taking the medication long-term.

joaf37 | @joaf37 | 1 hour ago

In reply to @JustinMcClanahan "Hello @msvjv, I combined your Eliquis side-effects discussions into one and also added it to the..." + (show)

I'd appreciate the opportunity to join this discussion especially since I have some added considerations that arose in the past 7 days, However, I need to figure out a way to do that as concisely as possible.