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

I have been on Metoprolol for about 13 years with no detectable side affects. My daughter had major side affects on it. I just went on Eliquis a week ago (A-Fib) so I don't know how they interact. My Metoprolol morning dosage doubled at the same time I was diagnoses with A-Fib. I was losing my hair before Metoprolol so I cannot address that. Good Luck !

Afib raises risk of stroke, Eliquis the latest and considered most effective in prevention. Metoprotol slows heart rate in afib, does not correct afib. Makes people feel more comfortable with lower heart rate. I take both and metoprotol seems to be lowering my blood pressure too much. Taking a little less, though very careful to lower just alittle. I think Eliquis inflames my joints including my jaw though my cardiology person says inflammation of joints is not listed. There is alot not know about meds and the med people do not admit to much. In all fairness, those med heros are overwhelmed with covid19

Hi @elwood. I get your question frequently -- why do I stick with Warfarin as my anticoagulant? My answer is simple and to the point. There is a readily available antidote for Warfarin, but not for most other anticoagulants. Almost all hospitals (but with a few stupid exceptions) have the Warfarin antidote (a Vitamin K solution) on hand for use when it's needed. I have two personal experiences that drive my choice of Warfarin.

Three years ago, a neighbor on Warfarin fell off a ladder in his garage. I called 911 and the EMTs came and hauled him off to a hospital emergency room a mile away. An hour later, a medical helicopter picked him up and flew him to another hospital 20 miles away. Within another hour, he was pronounced dead from a hemorhaggic stroke -- an uncontrolled brain bleed. The first hospital had no Warfarin antidote on hand. It's sister hospital 10 miles away could not rush it over either. So they called for the helicopter. The second hospital administered the proper antidote, but by that time, it was too late. I sang at his funeral a week later.

Another episode just last week involved a friend with A-fib who also takes an anticoagulant, but not Warfarin. I reminded him about my neighbor's fate. He called the doctor, asked about his medication, and was told it is a lot less trouble than Warfarin -- lab tests, some diet restrictions, etc. In our pandemic environment, that's a bigger problem than before, risking the coronavirus to go to a medical laboratory for a periodic blood test required to remain safe under Warfarin. Even so, he is now looking for a doctor who will include Warfarin in his range of therapies for A-fib.

I remain upset about the death of my neighbor as a result of his treatment in a hospital that had no antidote for Warfarin on hand. As a result, my first question of doctors when I was rushed to the emergency room last Fall was "Do you have an antidote for Warfarin on hand?" They did. I resolved that I'll always ask that question when under treatment at any clinic or hospital, regardless of which anticoagulant I am taking at that time. I hope this gives you some options to consider and discuss with your doctors, hospital, and EMT services. Martin

Martin - just curious why you are on Warfin? The old gold standard but high maintenance. Xarelto and Eliquis so much easier to maintain - no dietary restrictions. Both now with meds to neutralize if needed. Sure you have good reasons. Would you share your thinking ?

To be sure. I left that dr. the day that comment was made. I am with another provider. Actually the third provider. The one I first switched to was awesome but she left the state thus requiring a change again. So am on my third cardiologist. Thanks for caring adn responding.

Dr. "no need for pacemaker… as it would cause a scar". THAT is a red flag if I ever saw one. I'd get a second opinion fast.

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.

What a scary story of your history. Can you get to a better cardio doc? Have you checked on line for information about your doctors?

HI... am new to AFib and meds. Concerns and questions!?
Bradycardia noted 2014. Holtor monitors rates in 40's/ at night while asleep in 30's. Dr. "no need for pacemaker... as it would cause a scar". More concerned about scar than low heart rate. I had always had low BP. I seldom see a systolic at 100.On a stressful day 100-110. More common 70 to 90 over 40 to 60
Second opinion...followed closely, found pretty steady in 40's to low 50's so we continued monitoring. She had me increase salt and fluid intake as I had dizziness, weakness, tiredness. Did help me keep more hydrated. Keeps BP up better. Less dizziness but that never really goes away.
2017 Cardio transferred to Colorado. Started w. new cardio here in DE.
2018 started falling frequently. Saw Neuro, Cardio, ENT, ortho. No one could find cause. Sept 2018 had a TIA. Continued to be monitored. Placed on low dose bayer aspirin.
August 2019 I started telling my PCP, Cardio my heart rate was irregular. Multiple studies- echo, stress test, monitor, EKGs, sleep study. NSR, brady, occas. PVC. Irregular irregularity kept me thinking i was in AFib - going in and out. Would wake me out of dead sleep, Started putting together this may have been happening for a while and ??cause of some symptoms as listed above??
Jan 2020 back to cardio to say I wanted more help... there is something wrong. He inserted LINQ/LOOP Jan 20th. Was supposed to be advised as soon as they got a reading that could define diagnosis. WELL
March 25 .. call from cardio to say AFib. Asked when they knew. Said - with fist report in Jan!!! It was now the end of March. I expected this tool would provide timely answers & care. Cardiologist referred me to electrophysiologist. Met (telehealth) 2 days later and we discussed options. He is pro ablation but due to covid and ban on elective surgery this is delayed. Meantime electro phys doc put me on Eliquist BID and added a PILL IN A POCKET APPROACH Using one Metroprolol 25 mg and two Flecainide 150mg tabs (300mg) if I am in AFib that I don't come out of in 20-30 min.
Concerns:
He admitted my concerns for:
- side effects of these drugs are valid
- dose of drug is high....I am at home - cannot always tell when I am in Afib. Said do the best I can.
I spoke to pharmacist and he indicated concern for dosing of Flecainide as well and suggested I speak to dr again. I did so. He said follow his direction.

Also my concern that he wrote script for Flecainide at 1 tablet every 12 hours.
Now if I should take two tablets according to the PILL IN A POCKET APPROACH and have an adverse event they would say I didn't take prescription that is on my bottle. Not good for me, my insurance company.
So much to try to work through.

Same for me. I am on Eliquis with great success.