Afib/dangers of eliquis

@jls0805 I was just informed that Xralato is off patent. Elliquis patent is set to expire on Nov 26. Elliquis is on the new pharmacy benefits rules enacted by HHS testerday so may get a reduction in name brand price.

@annieparker51 I do take 100 mg of CoQ10 daily, but only because I also take a statin nightly. Statins are known to interfere with the body's own production of C0Q10, so supplementation is advised for most patients taking a statin.

Thank you for the reply. I'll give it a try.

I was prescribed Eliquis after my open heart surgery and then again before and after my cardiac ablation to deal with recurring SVT and aFIB. Both times, use of Eliquis did not bother me in any significant way... (I went on strenuous hikes a week after my ablation).

I think the docs like to prescribe Eliquis as it significantly reduces stroke chances if you have an aFIB episode. In both cases that I used Eliquis, I pressed the docs to get off the drug and they obliged. I'm now on baby aspirin and happily hiking and biking with no more more heart rhythm issues.

I'm on Eliquis for a few years, and I tried Xarelto and didn't work for me, and there are definitely a side effect for physically active people regarding easy bruising and some muscle and ligament tears and/or sprains. I made all the lifestyle changes, like many of the people on here. The critical question you confront is the stroke equation. Most cardiologists prescribe one of the two drugs to prevent strokes. They have a saying that they never hear from the people who won't take the blood thinners.

@joko I don't know that cardiologists never encounter people who might well have benefited from but refuse to take blood thinners. My cardiologist tells of his experiences with seeing people that have been hospitalized following a stroke, and learning that they also have A-fib. He says he always feels bad for them as had they known of the A-fib ( or knew about it but said no to the blood thinners) they could have prevented their stroke if they had been taking blood thinners.

Those are the stroke survivors, you're right about those who don't survive not telling anyone about their stance on taking blood thinners. Personally, I"d rather not survive a stroke than to live totally incapacitated and dependent on others as a result of a stoke that didn't kill me.

@nitwit - I am a few years older than you, but like you when I was told I was in Afib in December of 2024 I had none of the more common indicators. That was just over a year ago. Since then, I have had a cardioversion to put my heart back in sinus rhythm and then a pulse field ablation in May to take care of the spurious electrical signals. No recurrences of AFib. I started on Eliquis from the day I was told I was in Afib and continue on Eliquis not so much because of the chance of Afib recurring, but just because as you age the chance of a blood clot increases if you have prior heart related issues. Has to do with what is called CHA₂DS₂-VA. https://chadsva.org/ I have had no ill effects of Eliquis and my latest prescription for a 3-month supply was $30.00. Way down from the original cost of $530.00 for 1 month. This is through Humana. It will be interesting to see what the price will be when I get the next refill.

Everyone's system is different and my tolerance of Eliquis may be different from others, so when I say no problems that is me and if other say they had problems that is just them. You need to make your decision on staying Eliquis based on your tolerance and not on what others will say. Your body, your choice.

@nitwit I have been on a course of newfound AFIB, PVCs for the past 2 years. All the tests available. Great Cardiologist and Electrophysiologist and Internal Medicine Doc all on the same page. This past month, after losing 18% of my weight, walking 3 miles 3X per week, stopping all alcohol, caffeine, reducing sugar significantly and nightly CPAP regimen I no longer have to take apixiban. My AFIB burden is lest than 4%. Still have approximately 40 lbs to lose and working on that. Anxiety is another culprit and I’ve done well with a mindfulness journey and prayer. Good luck, I understand the bruising issue, fear of bleed out during serious accident, etc.

@chickenfarmer We'll see. From what I'm reading the Eliquis manufacturers still have several patents on the drug that don't expire until after 2026, and they anticipate these will not expire until 2028 or so. Meaning that it will be at least 2028 when generic Eliquis becomes available in the US. Or something like that.

@marybird I was diagnosed recently with a-fib, and then had a lacunar stroke, so the Electrophysiologist put me on Eliquis the day after I got the MRI results. I am preparing to have a Watchman implant, in my heart, next month, because, also, I have Parkinson’s Disease, and I’ve had a number of falls, where I lose my balance, over the last few years!