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Cardiologist suggests I can stop taking Eliquis. Any thoughts?
Heart Rhythm Conditions | Last Active: Apr 10 5:16pm | Replies (110)Comment receiving replies
Hi, @dsisko. Interested and glad to hear that your afib was resolved by an ablation. Your continued use of Eliquis is surprising to me. I'm an afibber of several years and have been on the anticoagulant Coumadin ever since my afib diagnosis. My medical team tells me to plan on anticoagulant medication unless and until my afib is terminated, perhaps by ablation. I was offered Eliquis by my pharmacist but turned it down and chose to stay on Coumadin which has a common antidote readily available, while Eliquis has not. I prefer not to risk hemorrhage from an injury, which could happen if my anticoagulant kept my blood from clotting when I need that. My unusual predicament involves maintaining a balance in the blood's ability to clot, which I test regularly at the lab and which is monitored constantly by my pharmacist. Perhaps your blood's clotting index is pivotal in your decision on whether to stop taking Eliquis. Your medical team is the best source of guidance on this. They can give you good advice on whether the Eliquis poses a risk of hemorrhage that may no longer be necessary after your ablation. Hope you can have that conversation with your doctor(s) soon. Martin
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Hi Martin! In your reply to @dsisko, you stated "you preferred to stay on Coumadin because it has a common antidote whereas Eliquis does NOT." I have come to trust your experience and knowledge which is why your statement really took me by surprise!
There IS an antidote for both Xarelto and Eliquis called ANDEXXA and also one for Pradaxa called PRAXBIND. These antidotes are now as readily available as is Vitamin K, the antidote for Coumadin. When I had my ablation and the choice of anticoagulants was discussed, Coumadin was definitely at the bottom of my list. I did not want to have to go in every month for a coagulation test, a possible change in the dosage of my medication nor did I want to have to be extra careful of my diet......watching closely that I did not consume foods that contained high levels of Vitamin K. Being a vegetarian, this would have moved a great many fruits and vegetables to my "DO NOT EAT" list. Since you have been on Coumadin for a long time, you are aware of what needs to be avoided or eaten only in small and infrequent quantities, but if anyone is reading this who is unaware of the restrictions associated with Coumadin, I will list a few fruits and veggies that are high in Vitamin K. (I didn't look up any meats, but I believe most cuts of meat are quite low in Vitamin K)
Dark leafy greens (especially kale, Swiss chard and Endive) broccoli, squash, peppers, tomatoes, eggplant, carrots, onions, cauliflower, string beans, peas, soybeans, kidney beans, raspberries, strawberries, cantaloupe, plums, grapes, papaya and rhubarb. This is NOT the complete list of high Vitamin K foods and there are also a number of common spices, like sage and oregano, which are high in K.
While there are pros and cons for ALL anticoagulants, I chose one that would have the least impact on my daily life, not require monthly testing AND has an antidote. (It also had no side effects for me) My coagulation rate is checked at my regular 6 month cardio check ups and during the two years I've been on Xarelto, the results have been excellent.
I believe all the anticoagulant choices are good and safe and it comes down to personal preference. And you can always change if your choice is not working well for you.