1. < Heart Rhythm Conditions

Advantages of Eliquis or Xarelto over Coumadin?

Posted by lgerkin @lgerkin, Feb 3, 2021

Hi - I've been on Coumadin for 15 years and my PCP and hematologist suggested I might want to try the newer generation of blood thinners. So, I started taking Eliquis last week. I haven't noticed any changes but it does make me nervous that there is no way to know for sure if my INR is at the proper level. I realize that not having to get tested once a month is great in terms of convenience and I like that I don't have to avoid foods with Vitamin K. My question is - are there other benefits to taking Eliquis over Coumadin? The higher cost isn't too much of an issue since the copay isn't too bad with my insurance.

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Martin Jensen, Volunteer Mentor | @predictable | May 14, 2022
In reply to @callalloo "A friend takes Eliquis without any apparent side effects, after having had leg weakness while on..." + (show)
@callalloo

A friend takes Eliquis without any apparent side effects, after having had leg weakness while on Xarelto. The major concern with these drugs initially was that there were not readily available antidotes, while bleeding while on Coumarin could be stopped with vitamin K. But there are antidotes now, so that seems to make doctors more comfortable prescribing them and sparing the patients the frequent blood work, which became a bigger issue during lockdown and when people were reluctant to go to medical facilities unless really necessary. Here's a blurb from the Harvard Health newsletter.

"The wait is over for an antidote to stop rare uncontrolled bleeding linked to some newer blood thinners. The FDA approved andexanet alfa (AndexXa) on May 3, 2018. It's the first and only antidote to reverse bleeding in people taking apixaban (Eliquis), rivaroxaban (Xarelto), or edoxaban (Savaysa).

Another newer blood thinner — dabigatran (Pradaxa) — already has an approved antidote called idarucizumab (Praxbind). A dose of vitamin K is used to reverse the action of warfarin (Coumadin), a blood thinner used routinely for more than half a century and, until recently, the only such option for most people."
https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/more-antidotes-for-newer-blood-thinners

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I remain skeptical that antidotes are readily available to prevent bleeding when injuries occur to patients taking anticoagulants other than Coumadin (Warfarin). The positive Andexxa quote is four years old, and this antidote was submitted to further study and FDA review after that. I understand Praxbind was similarly placed under review after its original approval. Coumadin has a readily available and long-term antidote, but on three occasions it was not in stock at a clinic or urgent care facility when I came under treatment there. My advice to all is: Upon meeting a medical professional in a clinic, urgent care facility, or emergency room for treatment of a bleed, immediately ask them to assure you that they have the right antidote on hand for your variety of anticoagulant. A friend of mine on Coumadin died from a brain bleed when the hospital did not have the Vitamin K antidote in stock and they chose to air-transport him to a hospital 30 miles away too late.

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brenda33540 | @brenda33540 | May 15, 2022
In reply to @tct "Actually, I would not sign up with Prescription Hope,. Do a search on this company— it’s..." + (show)
@tct

Actually, I would not sign up with Prescription Hope,. Do a search on this company— it’s a complete SCAM!

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Please send documentation of your claim that led you to this conclusion. Thank you.

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1 reply
brenda33540 | @brenda33540 | May 15, 2022
In reply to @tct "Thank you, I will do that. Also, I talked with my Dr today and he said..." + (show)
@tct

Thank you, I will do that. Also, I talked with my Dr today and he said he would give me a written Rx in case I want to try buying from a Canadian pharmacy. I’ve read that a generic version is available up north.

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I checked with the Canadian Pharmacy and their price was still outrageous. I checked with the company and they were $89.00 per month IF you qualified for their discount program. Believe me when I say I have checked every source. I am filing an appeal with Humana Gold but I really haven't much hope that they will approve it. Good luck to you as well.

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tct | @tct | May 15, 2022
In reply to @brenda33540 "Please send documentation of your claim that led you to this conclusion. Thank you." + (show)
@brenda33540

Please send documentation of your claim that led you to this conclusion. Thank you.

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Sorry, I don’t feel the need to post documentation. You can search on Google and reach your own conclusion. Good luck.

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1 reply
brenda33540 | @brenda33540 | May 15, 2022
In reply to @tct "Actually, I would not sign up with Prescription Hope,. Do a search on this company— it’s..." + (show)
@tct

Actually, I would not sign up with Prescription Hope,. Do a search on this company— it’s a complete SCAM!

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Thank you for alerting me to this. I read through a LOT of information online about them. I am going to call the governor's office tomorrow to see if they can provide any additional information.

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hmccarth5 | @hmccarth5 | May 16, 2022

What is your insurance, if I may ask.....Most people pay hundreds of dollars for a 30 day supply.

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1 reply
hmccarth5 | @hmccarth5 | May 16, 2022
In reply to @tct "I started on Eliquis this past February (2022), and have had no problems with it. However,..." + (show)
@tct

I started on Eliquis this past February (2022), and have had no problems with it. However, I just got a call from my Medicare Advantage company to inform me that I will soon be paying $360/ 90-day supply rather than the $100 I paid initially. The explanation was something about having reached the “donut hole” limit of my Part D insurance. Guess in need to go read the fine print…

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I am always in the donut hole, got tired of it too. Look into healthwarehouse pharmacy.com and info@medicationscanada.com. It's a saving grace!

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1 reply
confederatesteel | @confederatesteel | May 16, 2022

I have had 2 episodes with PE. Now I am on Xarelto for life. Don't like that. I have muscle pain, joint pain, and tiredness. I could go on coumadin but am afraid of that too. I was on it about 10 years ago with no affects. Don't know what to do. I'm 64 and want to live normal.

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3 replies
brenda33540 | @brenda33540 | May 17, 2022
In reply to @hmccarth5 "What is your insurance, if I may ask.....Most people pay hundreds of dollars for a 30..." + (show)
@hmccarth5

What is your insurance, if I may ask.....Most people pay hundreds of dollars for a 30 day supply.

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My husband has Humana Gold HMO. He is diabetic and his medical bills are high. When you enter the donut hole after only 4 months. Xarelto is $5.00 per month co-pay before the donut hole, $76.00 per month in the donut hole. It's ridiculous!!

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Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | May 17, 2022
In reply to @confederatesteel "I have had 2 episodes with PE. Now I am on Xarelto for life. Don't like..." + (show)
@confederatesteel

I have had 2 episodes with PE. Now I am on Xarelto for life. Don't like that. I have muscle pain, joint pain, and tiredness. I could go on coumadin but am afraid of that too. I was on it about 10 years ago with no affects. Don't know what to do. I'm 64 and want to live normal.

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Welcome @confederatesteel, I know it can be the pits when you have muscle and joint pain along with being tired all the time. I'm not sure this will help but here is some information that may help you manage the symptoms.

"Why do I feel so tired and all my joints ache?
Fatigue can be linked to many types of arthritis and related conditions. It's commonly a symptom of autoimmune conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, reactive arthritis and lupus. In autoimmune conditions the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own healthy tissues." --- Managing fatigue | Causes, self-help, support - Versus Arthritis: https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/managing-symptoms/managing-fatigue/

Have you discussed your symptoms with your doctor?

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