I've been on Eliquis ( 5 mg twice/day) since around June of 2021, when my pacemaker remote monitor reports showed a big uptick in the number and duration of my A-fib episodes. I've had to admit I was terrified about the prospect of having to take a blood thinner, but I have had absolutely no side effects or problems with taking this drug. I don't even notice any extra bruising from taking it.

From what I've seen, and read, and this has been my experience too, that a blood thinner generally doesn't cause a person to bleed, but it will enhance, maybe prolong a bleeding episode that is caused by a cut, fall or other injury. You may notice, for instance, that if you get a minor cut on your finger, the blood may ooze for some time after it would without the blood thinner, but you can still stop it easily enough by putting a little pressure on it. That's why they caution people with A-fib who have a job or a lifestyle that puts them at more risk for falling or other injuries, to possibly consider means than blood thinners to minimize stroke risk from clotting, such as a Watchman. I do my best to avoid falls, cuts, scrapes and I'm not particularly prone to accidents, and I've had no issues at all with Eliquis.

I'd much rather have the expense and obligation of taking the Eliquis than run the risk of having a debilitating stroke that could leave me helpless and paralyzed for the remainder of my life. I have a strong family history of strokes, and I've seen several great aunts, as well as other people in health care settings who have become completely helpless and mostly immobile, not even able to do much but drool as they live out the remainder of their lives in bed or sitting in a gerry chair. My stroke risks go beyond just the risk from my paroxysmal A-fib, and I don't want to live like that. That's me, personally, others may not have such high stroke risks, and they must decide for themselves the risks versus benefits of taking blood thinners.

As for the expense of Eliquis, the price of this drug looks to have decreased significantly since the beginning of 2026. I use a manufacturer's coupon that allows me to get my Eliquis prescriptions for $10 per month supply, or $30 per 3 month supply, but I have commercial prescription drug coverage that allows that. Even still, when I looked out of curiosity at various drug plans, including Medicare drug plans, I noted that the price of Eliquis prescriptions had dropped about 30-40% since last year. I think that should come as good news to the many folks who are taking it.