Rare serious side effect of Eliquis: Muscle weakness

Hi @cmauncc1, welcome. I added your question to the Heart Rhythm Conditions group as well. See here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/heart-rhythm-conditions/

I'm tagging other members who also take Eliquis for afib like @cece55 @hmccarth5 @diane18 @mayofeb2020 @phillipdobrien @spudmato to see if they have some suggestions for you.

In the meantime, here are 2 related discussions you may wish to review.
- Questions about Eliquis and Meds for Pain Relief https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/side-effects-of-eliquis/
- Taking Eliquis and Metoprolol for A-fib: Concerned about side effects: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/afib-5/ -

According to Mayo Clinic, you should tell your doctor right away if you have tingling, numbness, or muscle weakness, especially in your legs and feet. Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. See here: Apixaban (Oral Route) Side Effects - Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/apixaban-oral-route/side-effects/drg-20060729?p=1

Did your doctor suggest you continue taking apixaban (Eliquis)?

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!]

HI...this is CeCe55. I have been on Eliquis for the past three years and have several posts about joint, hip and back pain. I have never had muscle weakness and since my ablation in May of this year, I changed my diet completely. I do not eat dairy, gluten, or sugar. The pain has reduced at least 75%. I might add that I stretch, use light weights and walk daily. I was asked by my physicians if I was experiencing weakness but the answer was always no. Eliquis has not given me any side effects that I am aware of. I am not even sure if my stiffness and pain was because of the Eliquis. I had it prior and was always helped with Advil which I can't take anymore....thus the diet change.

I know this doesn't help you but I am surprised that your physicians never considered Eliquis as a culprit. I usually get more answers from my pharmacist when it comes to side effects. I am very drug sensitive.

Blessings to you and I pray that you find a solution.

CeCe55

Thanks CeCe55 for your comments. Following my "Executive Decision" to stop even the low dose Eliquis a week ago, I've noticed a significant improvement in my leg strength. While I can now walk a mile (albeit standing still to rest every 100-200 yards), legs feel tired BUT NOT THE JELLY-LIKE FEELING OF THE LAST FEW YEARS. Hopefully this isn't just my wishful thinking!

I got leg weakness within a month also of taking eliquis. I stopped taking it about 10 days ago and feel a little better. Still weak. Any thoughts on improvement time frame? I feel like I have ALS, but hope it's eliquis poisoning that can be reversed.

Hi @strengthaxle66 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I am sorry you are having an adverse reaction. Did you inform your physician that you were going off of the medication? Did they recommend something to take instead?

(1) "Had" an adverse reaction; legs recovered quickly after going off Eliquis.

(2) Cardiologist had kept me on Eliquis despite Medtronic loop recorder showing that only a small fraction of 1% of the time was I fleetingly in Afib throughout its battery life. Still kept me on it despite my every three months office checkups with EKG, and annual stress test never detecting Afib.

(3) Sent him the Bristol-Meyers Squibb link to the rare but severe side effects of Eliquis; was news to him! https://www.eliquis.bmscustomerconnect.com/afib/faq ( Look about 60% of the way down the pages.)
He now asks each of his patients "Do you have any physical problems?", looking for issues similar to mine.

(4) He is in the process of getting Humana's OK to replace my "dead" loop recorder with a fresh one and has me on 81mg Aspirin

Thank you for sharing this. May I ask if you went off of dairy, gluten and sugar to see if it helped with pain relief because you could no longer take advil or for other health reasons?

Hi ajnewyork....In answer to your question, my niece remarked to me one day that she had done this because of her joint pain and she received almost immediate relief. I thought...what can it hurt? So I tried it and experienced relief also. I don't miss my advil now. I have gotten used to Tylenol when I need to take a pain reliever. I can say that I don't follow this diet religiously or 100%. There are times when I want a treat and will add some cheese to my salad or a very small cup of ice cream. 🙂 But I really watch how often I do that. There are lots of dairy alternatives, along with gluten free foods and sweets that are not made with sugar. But no...I did not have a health reason except for quality of life which is very important.

Blessings to you and yours. Be well.

No. The weird thing about my Eliquis side effect was that at no time did I experience pain, ONLY muscle weakness. Interestingly (but not unexpected) was that when I began walking 2-3 miles a day my leg muscles became SORE! It had been a long time since they were asked to move that much!