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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Profile picture for brenda33540 @brenda33540

My husband has just reached the "donut hole" and his cost for xarelto (comparable price to eliquis) has gone up substantially. We applied for Prescription Hope (877-296-4673) and are awaiting a decision from them. If approved, the monthly cost will be $50.00 which we pay to Prescription Hope. They in turn send us a prescription card which we will use at the drug store to pay for the xarelto.
Please contact them. I hope this information helps you!

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

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Profile picture for brenda33540 @brenda33540

My husband has just reached the "donut hole" and his cost for xarelto (comparable price to eliquis) has gone up substantially. We applied for Prescription Hope (877-296-4673) and are awaiting a decision from them. If approved, the monthly cost will be $50.00 which we pay to Prescription Hope. They in turn send us a prescription card which we will use at the drug store to pay for the xarelto.
Please contact them. I hope this information helps you!

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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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Profile picture for tct @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…

Jump to this post

My husband has just reached the "donut hole" and his cost for xarelto (comparable price to eliquis) has gone up substantially. We applied for Prescription Hope (877-296-4673) and are awaiting a decision from them. If approved, the monthly cost will be $50.00 which we pay to Prescription Hope. They in turn send us a prescription card which we will use at the drug store to pay for the xarelto.
Please contact them. I hope this information helps you!

REPLY
Profile picture for lizzy102 @lizzy102

Igerkin, your question was: “are there other benefits to taking Eliquis over Coumadin?“
I believe the answer to your question is to be found in a number of places. I’m just including some links that I found helpful.
https://www.singlecare.com/blog/eliquis-vs-warfarin/
https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/atrial-fibrillation/features/warfarin-new-blood-thinners
https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/are-the-new-blood-thinners-better-than-warfarin-coumadin
I take Eliquis after having an internal bleed when on Coumadin. I would not go back. Don’t fall prey to alarmists or misinformation. When one needs to be on a blood-thinner - or any necessary medication - one needs to weigh the cost to benefit ration in terms of the cost to your body of taking vs. not taking the medication.
Good luck and good health

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Sorry, “cost to benefit ratio”

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Igerkin, your question was: “are there other benefits to taking Eliquis over Coumadin?“
I believe the answer to your question is to be found in a number of places. I’m just including some links that I found helpful.
https://www.singlecare.com/blog/eliquis-vs-warfarin/
https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/atrial-fibrillation/features/warfarin-new-blood-thinners
https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/are-the-new-blood-thinners-better-than-warfarin-coumadin
I take Eliquis after having an internal bleed when on Coumadin. I would not go back. Don’t fall prey to alarmists or misinformation. When one needs to be on a blood-thinner - or any necessary medication - one needs to weigh the cost to benefit ration in terms of the cost to your body of taking vs. not taking the medication.
Good luck and good health

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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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Profile picture for kb1942 @kb1942

Absolutely essential: read everything you can find about Elequis, especially the maker’s package insert. U think it comes with an FDA black box warning. It is not a drug to mess around with, but it looks to be better than Warfarin (BTW: Warfarin is diluted rat poison).

There is less risk of serious bleeding with Elequis & Xarelto. However, at least some of that evidence comes from meta-analysis which is not a very valid statistical procedure. The inventor of meta-analysis used to work for me, and he refused to use it because he didn’t trust it. There is a very costly way to stop internal bleeding from Elequis but not Xarelto. Do not do anything that might increase the risk of internal bleeding. That includes no aspirin, no NSAIDs. Blood has 2 different clotting systems, one for little cuts and bruises, and an additional system fro big cuts. The newer drugs only affect the big cut clotting system because that is what makes dangerous blood clots.

IF you get a cut that bleeds for more than 15 minutes, check with your MD right away because you may need a trip to the ER to stop it. Or you can do what the ER will charge $1,100 to do-- slap Combat Gauze on it. I asked the ER MD what Combat Gauze was. He gave me some chemistry mumbo jumbo. He got a funny look on his face when I replied “That’s a napkin soaked in powdered kitty litter”. High quality kitty litter costs less that $1 a lb. Wait till you see what Combat Gauze costs, but I keep it handy, and it is a lot cheaper than the ER. I’ve only had to use it once at home, so far.

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I never heard of combat gauze

Is it something most people here know about and have used

Also I heard that when we reach age 80, Eliquis dosage can be lowered by half. Would like to hear from you all out there

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Had a Virtual Visit on Thursday with my new first Hematologist and my acute rehab MD. In l/o my TBI, balance disorder and frequent falls, the Heme doc was adamant I be taken off loading dose Eliquis immediately b/c risk for falls and cerebral bleed. Suggested best solution for me was to have an IVC Filter placed in IR. Placed on treatment dose of Enoxaparin 80mg vs prior dose of prophylactic 40 mg. I know one should be off Eliquis for 4-5 days before any invasive procedures or surgery. Rehab MD comes in yesterday morning and is all excited that the IR docs had a cancellation and they could’ve taken me yesterday morning = ONLY 24 hours post last dose of Eliquis. I politely declined stating I did not have a comfort level undergoing the IVC Filter placement with 50mg of loading dose Eliquis circulating in my bloodstream. Plus, I was just diagnosed with Von Willebrands disease and a Factor VIII deficiency. I’m not interested in the same fatal outcome my sister experienced. My rehab doc wasn’t happy. Had to cancel the IR time slot, the Ambulette, etc. My daughter is getting married on 9/9/22. I’m working my darndest to get there whether it’s using a walker or even a w:c if needed. Hoping not but I’ll be there by hook or by crook!

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Profile picture for CeCe1112 @cece1112

I was diagnosed yesterday with a large VTE in my left femoral vein. I’m in a rehab facility and have been on Zlovenox 40mg sc daily. Now they want me on Eliquis. Started first dose last night. I’m being worked up for petechiae, purpura, prolonged bleeding times, etc. My sister bled out on the OR table during her TAVR procedure because Eliquis was new and she received a dose the day before her duty. No antidote concerns me. I’m really concerned I could bleed out due to my blood disorder being worked up now by a “benign hematologist”. I had a Hematologist/Oncologist but MDKCV in NYC reviewed my bloodwork and determined in didn’t need MSKCC but did need Follow-up with the “benign hematologist” at Columbia University Medical Center. Any advice? They considered just giving me the Lovenox sq q12h vs daily? Might that ne s better option ?

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Hello @cece1112 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. What a tragedy that your sister passed away. I am so very sorry for your loss. Your concerns coupled with your experience of losing your sister is so valid and understandable.

Can I ask how forthright you've been with these concerns with your hematologists in the past and if you have a plan to discuss this thoroughly at your follow-up?

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My sister bled out on the OR table during a TAVR procedure. Eliquis was new and being heavily promoted. She’d received a dose the day before her surgery. Unnecessary death. Now they say stop your Eliquis 5 days before surgery. I’m not having surgery. Just in a Rehab facility.

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