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Rare serious side effect of Eliquis: Muscle weakness

Posted by cmauncc1 @cmauncc1, Dec 27, 2021

In late July 2017 I was admitted for very high heart rate and Afib. Had been, and still am, on minimal meds. Hospitalist put me on Eliquis, 5mg 2X/day.

Within a month my leg muscles were weakening to the point where I could no longer play Pickleball or walk golf. Within a few weeks my Cardiologist did an ablation and inserted a loop recorder. For the next 2-1/2 years the loop recorder saw MINIMAL Afib, under 0.5%; the ablation did its job.

By November 2017 I needed a walker. By December 2017 I needed to be wheelchair pushed through an Ice Sculpture display as there was no way I could walk the 25-30 minutes of the exhibit.

When I finally got to see a Neurologist at Shands (Univ of FL, Gainesville) in July 2018, he ran an extensive battery of blood work tests but could find nothing to explain the muscle weakness.

Has anyone else encountered similar muscle effects following being prescribed Eliquis?

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charley7wills | @charley7wills | 2 days ago
In reply to @cmauncc1 "I looked at the links you suggested, but didn't see anything relating muscle weakness to Eliquis...." + (show)
Profile picture for cmauncc1 @cmauncc1

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!]

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@cmauncc1 I agree with you about the quality of life issue! I was put on Eliquis after demanding to be taken off Xarelto. Both meds were given for a DVT caused by May-Thurmer syndrome being undiagnosed for 3 years. Now I have venous insufficiency, a stent in my iliac vein (it did help) and 2 “stable” DVT’s. And all the lingering side effects of Eliquis. I’ve found consistent info from fellow sufferers that it can take at least 2 months for muscle/joint pain and weakness to improve and maybe longer. And I’m seeing improvement in some of the other symptoms like insomnia/hypersomnia and dizziness. So don’t give up!

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chanemann1 | @chanemann1 | 20 hours ago

There does seem to be a problem but it is not recognized by the "Medical
Establishment". My husband seemed all right for several months. Then, his First symptom, was to become extremely pale. His face is ordinarily a different color . (Pinkish on the ears, etc. ) Second , he became less able to do exercise at the gymn, which he did normally. Third , he felt tired ,regularly.
Fourth , he had trouble standing up from a sitting position. Fifth, he would occasionally breath heavily.
He's been a Type 1 Diabetic since 13 years. His New,Young P.C.P. thought perhaps his 1. A1C was off. 2. Maybe a Vitamin B deficiency 3. Maybe accelerated Parkinsons symptoms 4. Perhaps a stroke . None of which would explain the unusually Pale skin color and unusual exhaustion.
He is still taking Eliqius because it's difficult to have an appointment with the electrocardiologist. But, I don't believe that it is safe FOR HIM.
It appears to be putting enormous strain on his system.
He was originally prescribed Eliquis when he reacted to extremely high doses of cortisone . Routine procedure .

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