Rare serious side effect of Eliquis: Muscle weakness

My diagnosis of A-Fib was June, 2021 & the 1st med. Prescribed was Warfarin. That was Toxic Poison to me & Yes, it caused muscle weakness. After a lot of "Pushing", my Dr. switched to Eliquis. That worked for +- 6 months, then Side Effects popped up. After MORE "rankling", the Cardiologist changed me to Xeralto ...but within a Very Short period of time MORE terrible side effects. Finally (the 3rd Cardiologist consulted) I was told to Stop Everything, & see a Cardio-Surgeon. I'd been seeing an MD who believes if you take as Few Pharmaceuticals as possible, eat a Healthy Diet, & live an Active lifestyle, you should be healthy. He did blood tests & ordered a scan of my Carotid Artery. When we looked at it he said, "People Would KILL to have Arteries like yours. They are almost Plaque-Free. You Absolutely Don't Need Blood Thinners! I took this to my Cardiologist, She looked at the scan & said, "That doesn't mean A Thing" ... (My 'Common sense' Disputed her statement so I scheduled an Appt. with a Cardiologist (Who had been written up as one of The Best in the Area) 100 miles from my home, and saw him. He'd spent time looking thru my files (Lots of EKG's, test results, & Physicians emails) - Most Importantly the Carotid Artery Scan & Said, "Actually, the Only thing I could recommend is to take a small-dose aspirin every-other Day, eat a healthy diet - which it looks like you Already do, & get Exercise. I Wish More Patients like you could come visit me. I'd Really like to see you again in 6 months or a year, I'd Like to follow your health, potentially you could live to be 100".
After reading my story, I hope you'll listen to your 'inner voice' & exercise your Good Common Sense. When Dr.'s tell you something that Just Doesn't seem Right, Keep Asking Questions, even it it means consulting Another Doctor. Sooner or later one will come up with A Right Answer FOR YOU! (It's been said for Centuries: "Doctors Practice Medicine". Like Great Musicians they practice & Practice & PRACTICE 'till they finally Get It Right, & We're their Violins, or Pianos, or Trombones or Whatever! For Men: "It Takes A Lot of Practice to get Yankee Stadium!)

I looked at the links you suggested, but didn't see anything relating muscle weakness to Eliquis.

I am, unfortunately, a naive patient. It never occurred to me or my wife that muscle weakness was a possible side effect of Eliquis as that isn't mentioned in the literature accompanying its initial Rx or any refills.

All I knew was that my legs were getting progressively weaker! No, we didn't connect that to my being on a new med! Yep, naive

Six weeks ago my Cardiologist dropped me to Eliquis 2.5mg 2x/day following a Watchman consult that declared me a marginal candidate for the procedure due to my only clot/stroke risk factor being my age (79). The ablation in late 2017 worked; less than 0.5% Afib since then.

I was only clued in ten days ago by my Chiropractor that he has seen several patients with my ongoing leg issues that began shortly after starting Eliquis. He printed off a sheet that indicates "Muscle weakness" is rare but "Serious" side effect.

It has now been four+ years since I was first put on 5mg Eliquis 2x/day, complaining frequently to my 2013-2020 primary and to my 2021++ primary [change due to insurance changing], and to my Cardiologist about my leg weakness. At 79 I am otherwise in very good condition (heart, BP, lungs, other organs, and labs within normal range), with the Afib under control.

At this point, quality of life (the HOPE of being able to improve my leg strength and my ability to walk better by eliminating Eliquis completely) outweighs the minimal risk of clot/stroke. [A verbose way of saying that "No, I have not consulted my Cardiologist!]

I looked at the links you suggested, but didn't see anything relating muscle weakness to Eliquis.

I am, unfortunately, a naive patient. It never occurred to me or my wife that muscle weakness was a possible side effect of Eliquis as that isn't mentioned in the literature accompanying its initial Rx or any refills.

All I knew was that my legs were getting progressively weaker! No, we didn't connect that to my being on a new med! Yep, naive

Six weeks ago my Cardiologist dropped me to Eliquis 2.5mg 2x/day following a Watchman consult that declared me a marginal candidate for the procedure due to my only clot/stroke risk factor being my age (79). The ablation in late 2017 worked; less than 0.5% Afib since then.

I was only clued in ten days ago by my Chiropractor that he has seen several patients with my ongoing leg issues that began shortly after starting Eliquis. He printed off a sheet that indicates "Muscle weakness" is rare but "Serious" side effect.

It has now been four+ years since I was first put on 5mg Eliquis 2x/day, complaining frequently to my 2013-2020 primary and to my 2021++ primary [change due to insurance changing], and to my Cardiologist about my leg weakness. At 79 I am otherwise in very good condition (heart, BP, lungs, other organs, and labs within normal range), with the Afib under control.

At this point, quality of life (the HOPE of being able to improve my leg strength and my ability to walk better by eliminating Eliquis completely) outweighs the minimal risk of clot/stroke. [A verbose way of saying that "No, I have not consulted my Cardiologist!]

I looked at the links you suggested, but didn't see anything relating muscle weakness to Eliquis.

I am, unfortunately, a naive patient. It never occurred to me or my wife that muscle weakness was a possible side effect of Eliquis as that isn't mentioned in the literature accompanying its initial Rx or any refills.

All I knew was that my legs were getting progressively weaker! No, we didn't connect that to my being on a new med! Yep, naive

Six weeks ago my Cardiologist dropped me to Eliquis 2.5mg 2x/day following a Watchman consult that declared me a marginal candidate for the procedure due to my only clot/stroke risk factor being my age (79). The ablation in late 2017 worked; less than 0.5% Afib since then.

I was only clued in ten days ago by my Chiropractor that he has seen several patients with my ongoing leg issues that began shortly after starting Eliquis. He printed off a sheet that indicates "Muscle weakness" is rare but "Serious" side effect.

It has now been four+ years since I was first put on 5mg Eliquis 2x/day, complaining frequently to my 2013-2020 primary and to my 2021++ primary [change due to insurance changing], and to my Cardiologist about my leg weakness. At 79 I am otherwise in very good condition (heart, BP, lungs, other organs, and labs within normal range), with the Afib under control.

At this point, quality of life (the HOPE of being able to improve my leg strength and my ability to walk better by eliminating Eliquis completely) outweighs the minimal risk of clot/stroke. [A verbose way of saying that "No, I have not consulted my Cardiologist!]

@cmauncc1 , I have been on eliquis for one week. Am experiencing being dizzy, fatigue and now pain and weakness in my legs . I’m on 5mg for Atrial fibrillation and am 77. Also want to get off the medication, but worried about clots. How are you doing and has your health improved?

@cmauncc1 can eliquis 5 mg be cut in half?

@lwools
good question,I was wondering the same iF it could be cut in half.

I had heart attack and open -heart surgery 24 years ago at the age of 56. I was given statin, blood pressure medicine and low dose aspirin until last November. I lowered my cholesterol from 210 to 115 in 5 years. I started working out with weights and exercising 3-5 days a week. For years I was told I had an irregular heartbeat but no side effects. I bought a watch that showed I had afib so I asked my Cardiologist about my concern, no side effects. I agreed to take medications to control the afib and Eliquis was one of them. My legs became so weak I have trouble walking over a mile and I am so tired I don't even work out anymore. Have appointment with my Cardiologist in 2 weeks, I hope I'm coming off Eliquis.