Advantages of Eliquis or Xarelto over Coumadin?

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!

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

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…

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

Sorry, “cost to benefit ratio”

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!

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.

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

@tct, you're wise to do your research on the specific pharmacy you use when it comes to ordering online. I offer these articles to help you vet reliable online services.

— Choosing a safe online pharmacy: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/topics/buying-using-drug-health-products-safely/safe-use-online-pharmacies.html
— So-Called “Canadian” Pharmacies are a Danger to Consumers, NABP Reports: https://nabp.pharmacy/news/news-releases/called-canadian-pharmacies-danger-consumers-nabp-reports/

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."