Taking Eliquis and Metoprolol for A-fib: Concerned about side effects

Posted by damari @damari, May 25, 2020

Just diagnosed. Doctor prescribed Eliquis and Metoprolol. I was wondering what side effects common. I read there is a rare side effect of hair thinning for metoprolol. (take 25 mg 2x day) Also read that Eliquis can sometimes cause some stomach discomfort. (5 mg 2x day) Can either medications be taken in lesser amounts?

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@predictable

Hi @damari. Glad to see you back with us, especially since the two of us are A-fib victims. Your reliance on Metoprolol and Eliquis is not uncommon. The first of these and its side-effects are discussed on Mayoclinic.org. Check out https://mayocl.in/2LTLhoP as well as https://mayocl.in/3d0JLx7 for starters. Search separately there for Eliquis or its generic name apixaban with a focus on the "oral route" (as opposed to the intravenous route). On your question about lesser amounts, be advised that changing the dosages on both drugs is possible, but only in direct coordination with your specialist or primary care physician. A lot of patients cut their dosages without consultation, causing side effects that are hard to tolerate. In my case, my similar drugs are Carvedilol (25mg morning and evening) and Coumadin (5.0 and 7.5 mg on alternating days).

The side effects you mentioned are on public lists for your drugs. Can you raise your questions about them with your doctor(s) or your pharmacist before any changes are made in dosage? Martin

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@MartinJensen

Please mention your side effects with Carvedidol.

My new cardiologist is switching me from Cartia to Carvwdidol.

I take Eliquis also.
I am afraid to take this new med.
One of the side effects is you should not take it if you have Raynauds.
I will run this by my Internist next week.
I am also concerned about the other side effects.

Would appreciate any thoughts that you have.

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@peach414144

Does anybody know how to treat peripheral artery disease? I cannot walk any more and am in a wheel chair and getting worse. The pain is constant. Think I have a cardiologist that is not to informed.

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I have just been diagnosed with occlusion of the fibular arteries on both of my legs.
It started with a frozen feeling in my feet, which are often cold.
In neuologist confirmed it is not norapathy.
So a CT scan was done with injection of iodine to a video this condition..
I have been referred to a cardiologist, but they have not yet called me.
Can anyone clarify what happens from this point on?
Thanks! Vivianne

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New to Afib on Xarelto and 81 aspirin - 83 yrs old and also have a stint in main artery was 75% blockage. Does anyone know if Xarelto or eliquis better? Also note most on these drugs also on Metropolis? Any knowledge on these drugs appreciate.

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Excellent! I am very happy with amlodipine too especially when taken alone at night! It needs attention as it has a tendency to “bond” with some other medications, some times it is a good thing BUT NOT IN THE CASE OF METROPOLOL! Be safe!

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@jmarkavi

I have been taking amlodipine at night with a diuretic in the morning with no issues since 2004. Lower leg Oedema is only problem with amlodipine. When I introduced 5mg of Metropolol which together with amlodipine have an additive effect all hell broke loose! I will continue amlodiline, I eased up for 2 weeks to 2.5 mg Metropolol, with palpitations and now I am 4 days without any Metropolol with palpitations! Energy level is way up, adrenaline produced again and added IRBESARTAN 175 mg which helps keep BP down in Metropolol’s place…

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Thank you for the information, especially about the lower leg swelling. I will watch for that. Metropolol doesn’t work for me at all. But my blood pressure and pulse are right where they should be with amlodipine for now. Both my brother and sister have taken amlodipine for several years with good results. So I feel optimistic.

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@bettyann6

I was taken off of metropolol and put on amlodopine. I had some anxiety for about 3 days. Now I am fine

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I have been taking amlodipine at night with a diuretic in the morning with no issues since 2004. Lower leg Oedema is only problem with amlodipine. When I introduced 5mg of Metropolol which together with amlodipine have an additive effect all hell broke loose! I will continue amlodiline, I eased up for 2 weeks to 2.5 mg Metropolol, with palpitations and now I am 4 days without any Metropolol with palpitations! Energy level is way up, adrenaline produced again and added IRBESARTAN 175 mg which helps keep BP down in Metropolol’s place…

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@jmarkavi

Taking metropol for 2 years for blood pressure! Memory loss weight gain but most important extremely difficult to stop beta blockers without extreme palpitations!!! You marry it for life…

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I was taken off of metropolol and put on amlodopine. I had some anxiety for about 3 days. Now I am fine

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I have been on metoprolol for 20 years for an irregular heartbeat and I have not had any problems.

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09-26-21 Good morning; just an FYI; I have been on Eliquis & Metoprolol ER (SUCC) for about 18 months with no noticeable side effects. I had already lost most of my hair so I cannot address the thinning issue. Good Luck !

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I have not had those side effects…take both meds…triple heart bypass patient and Thyroid Cancer Survivor.

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