Half dose of eliquis?

Posted by lucyjake @lucyjake, Oct 9, 2023

I am 69 yrs old with low heart disease risk and have had diagnosed afib for three years. It is not persistent and varies in frequency. I believe I was suffering with it for 2-3 years prior but did not address it until I got the classic symptoms of fatigue, dizziness, out of breath, and vision problems. My doc ran numerous tests on my heart that revealed I have no structural changes and no heart disease. I was put on metroprolol 25 mg and eliquis 10 mg daily. My normal BP is 103/60 so the beta blocker dropped it too low. Now I take 12.5 mg. I also cut my eliquis down to 5 mg due to side effects. My cardiologist put me on propafenone as a pill in the pocket to get back in rhythm when I have an event. This works well in that the beta blocker prevents the accelerated heart rate during an attack and the propafenone gets me back in rhythm in 2-3 hours. My concern is cutting the eliquis dose in half. There is evidence in the literature that the half dose is as effective as the full dose in preventing afib strokes. Does anyone have an opinion on this? Thanks.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Heart Rhythm Conditions Support Group.

ruby2020 | @ruby2020 | Oct 9, 2023

I have no advice other than to do what your dr orders. If you feel a second opinion is in order, please seek that out.
All I can speak from is our personal experience. My young adult son had 2 strokes from his asymptomatic A. Fib. If there is one thing that has been stressed to us over and over and over is, it's to take his Eliquis exactly as prescribed. If I could go back in time and take his Strokes away- I would do anything for that. The Heart Failure, A. Fib and A. Flutter have been a piece of cake to manage with amazing drs. and medications. He was very close to being placed on the transplant list- with EF of 11. He would have been back to teaching Middle School Math in about a month.
The nasty effects of the Strokes (that were caused by the A. Fib./clots)- his and our lives changed in the blink of an eye. He isn't back to doing what he loves- teaching Math to Middle School kids, and it isn't even a thought at this point in his recovery.
Please take care of yourself.

pickleball1946 | @pickleball1946 | Oct 9, 2023

I have the same question snd concerns….. looking forward to comments from the forum…..

lucyjake | @lucyjake | Oct 9, 2023

In reply to @ruby2020 "I have no advice other than to do what your dr orders. If you feel a..." + (show)

Thanks for the reply. My side effects from full dose eliquis are excessive bleeding from cuts and scrapes and stomach upset likely due to reflux. Small price to pay for stroke risk reduction! I have great doctors that work with me and try to address my concerns. I need to reconsider my eliquis dosage. They agreed to it because I have good rate and rhythm control with medications.

ruby2020 | @ruby2020 | Oct 9, 2023

I am so sorry, those side effects are not good to deal with either. If your drs. agreed to it, I am so happy for you and hope the side effects calm down with half the Eliquis dose.
Due to a severe bleeding episode after teeth extraction for my son. We are in the beginning stages of conversations about a possible Watchman placement. Not sure about it yet or if he is a candidate. Hoping that ultimately, eventually he can get off Eliquis due to his high risk of falling. I am terrified of the thought of him falling and hitting his head.

Much luck to you!

lenmayo | @lenmayo | Oct 10, 2023

The paper work that comes with my med says cu the dose in half if:
Age greater than 80.
Body weight less than 60KG (132 pounds).
Serum Creatine greater than 1.5 mg/dl.

lucyjake | @lucyjake | Oct 10, 2023

Yes that is correct. Thinking of discussing with my doc taking the half dose daily with additional pill in the pocket doses if I have an afib event.

web28 | @web28 | Oct 11, 2023

In reply to @ruby2020 "I am so sorry, those side effects are not good to deal with either. If your..." + (show)

My husband had aWatchmen implanted in December 2022 and was released from taking Eliquis in June(6 month wait to make sure there are no leaks. He has CHF with orthostatic hypotension causing him to be a high fall risk like your son. It was a huge relief not to need Eliquis anymore. Hope your son qualifies for it.

ruby2020 | @ruby2020 | Oct 12, 2023

In reply to @web28 "My husband had aWatchmen implanted in December 2022 and was released from taking Eliquis in June(6..." + (show)

Thank you. We had the visit yesterday to determine his eligibility. He is eligible. So, the ball has started to roll in getting the procedure done. It will still be a few months before it actually happens. So happy.

cubby | @cubby | Aug 28 4:18am

Hi lucyjake,
I think 5 mg. once a day sounds feasible...drug inserts say that after 12 hours, half life is 50%...so, doesn't that give you another 50% of drug for the next 12 hours?

Please sign in or register to post a reply.