Stroke medication: Taking Eliquis to reduce risk of stroke

I have had AFib off and on most my life a couple times a year for a short period of time . My problem is with the donut hole and 5 months of $330.00 each of those months.. the other months are $114.00 my part to pay. Ridiculous. I’m getting off of them Highway robbery!

Yes! I’m in the same boat…BIG pharmaceutical companies just love us don’t they.
I’ve only had 2 episodes of A-Fib in the last year and taking this Rx is crazy expensive.
Do you ask your doctor for samples? I have and it helps a tiny bit…

Well, I’ve read enough to poke me into responding. I am also on autoimmune group ..I have 5, recently added APLS,, just switched from Pradaxa to Eloquis as I had two strokes 4 years ago, Afib, severe liver damage from Lipitor, I have always had major issues taking any med, but not Pradaxa. Had cardioversion and on the table now is cardio ablation which I decided to save the possible risk of another stroke for another time. I keep moving and can daily walk 2-7 miles on level ground. Eloquis was touted to me as being maaavelous,sic! but I’m having some of the same issues as I read here….one big one …fatigue which I’ve been blaming on post Covid but looks like I’m going to demand returning to my friend Pradaxa, which I NEVER had any issues with! Thank you Mayo Connect and most of all….you who post! Feels sooo good to be in your boats! Wish I could tell drug companies and a few docs recommending these new meds….YOU first!

Thank you all so much. After re-reading these posts, I’m going to jump in: I had two strokes 4 years ago, have Afib and APLS too and with no cholesterol issues was put on Lipitor by an inept, unsupervised medical school student…not in US. which caused my ALKP to be 1039! Yikes! Then Pradaxa which caused NO side effects and was just peachy, but cardiologist put me on Eloquis , ‘’because it’s better than Pradaxa’’. NO, it is NOT….which has caused major headaches, balance issues, and terrible itching. Beware! I am fighting tooth and nail to return to Pradaxa and better quality of life! When are docs and drug companies going to listen to US?

Do not stop taking your blood thinner if you have A-fib. My mother was told to stop hers and had a stroke around 2 weeks later. She is now back on Eliquis. The Neurologist that saw my Mom said the doctor should have never taken her off her blood thinner.

I am lucky in the sense that Eliquis appears to have no side effects for me, but I suggest you see an EP if your cardiologist is not one. There are many other thinners that may not bother you so much. Good Luck !

Hello.

My father had a cerebral stroke about 2 weeks ago. Was considered a minor one. He was in the hospital for about 3 days and then went straight into Acute Rehab inpatient. He did excellent in the rehab and is doing well at home now, and will be continuing with outpatient rehab. Has some minor balance corrections he has to do and a little bit of weakness when he walks for exercise. He is 78 years old. Prior to stroke was very healthy walks exercises. Is at the perfect body weight. And is on Blood pressure meds now keeping it well in check usually reads 115/60 range when measured in morning after meds and in the evening. And also a Statin.

The cardiologist and neurology teams did not really find a root cause from what I can understand of the stroke, but think maybe the PFO. My dad has a PFO hole and moderate aortic Regurgitation. Both of which he was aware of prior to this. He was on aspirin and Plavix at the hospital initially once they found the stroke via MRI. They changed him to being on Eliquis prior to going to rehab, we currently have a 30 day supply and have follow-ups scheduled, which if they decide is when we would get a further prescription. They also installed a loop recorder. He thus far does not show any signs of Afib. I am trying to understand why Eliquis was prescribed. And also if he will need to remain on this long term. My dad has one kidney from one being removed due to kidney stones. His other kidney functions pretty much normal with just a slight reduction from his age. And also had half his stomach removed when he was in his 20s due to ulcers. He has to take an iron supplement as his stomach does not process food as effectively as someone with a whole stomach and they have to keep an eye on him for Anemia he has had in the past. My big concern is his kidney and stomach problems from the Eliquis.

Anyone have any advise? Or experience? I want to goto his follow-ups prepared to ask the right questions.

We are not trying to discount the doctors. It just seems like everyone is prescribed Eliquis which is very expensive. I am hoping they will allow him to perhaps drop down to just aspirin since he has no other history of problems.

Thanks for any advice you have. And good to join here.

Thanks!

James from FL 🙂

Hello @jamesfl and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Glad to have you join! You are certainly well on top of your dad's health and healthcare. How lucky is he to have you by his side.

Because most of your concern around this appointment seems to be focused on his Eliquis Rx, I wanted to connect you with other members already discussion this topic. You will notice I have moved your post here:
- Stroke medication: Taking Eliquis to reduce risk of stroke: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/stroke-medication/

Members such as @phillipdobrien and @percygirl247 have recently shared about their experience and may be able to come back to offer you some support ahead of your dad's next appointment.

How is your dad feeling about being on Eliquis?

I have had two strokes and was treated with Pradaxa for 5 years to prevent another stroke without ANY side effects. Recently the Pradaxa was replaced with Eloquis ’’because it’s better than Pradaxa’’. NO, No and no! I had severe headaches, severe fatigue even after 12-14 hours of sleep and generally felt miserable. My NEW cardiologist said…..’’how is this better than Pradaxa? and switched me back to my ‘’friend’’ Pradaxa! Yes, you must be careful about cuts and falls, etc but quality of life is MUCH more important to a senior’s life! Do not believe Big Pharmas nonsense!

Has anyone researched or been taking Nattokinase to breakup blood clots? I have a friend who was put on Eliquis after a TIA which included AFIB and after being on it for 6 months developed a blood clot in her leg and the cardiologist told her to take asprin. So was Eliquis not doing its job? Another friend of a friend had a mild stroke while on Eliquis but was told because she had been on Eliquis it made the stroke less severe. I have paroxysmal AFIB, am 77, have good cholesterol counts and no blood issues but have been prescribed Eliquis (5mg) twice a day. The actual AFIB is not being treated, only a remedy for a potential side effect of blood clotting in the heart is being offered. I am just trying to sort out the cause and treatment options.