Antiphospholipid syndrome APS: Prescribed Eliquis instead of Warfarin?

Hi @oic, you may want to check with your pharmacist. Eliquis (apixaban) is generally not recommended for use in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), particularly in those with a history of thrombosis, due to an increased risk of recurrent blood clots. I believe fellow APS member @elizabeth513 has experience with Eliquis.

This article from Mayo Clinic states:
"If you have blood clots, the standard first treatment is a combination of blood-thinning medicines. The most common are heparin and warfarin (Jantoven). Heparin is fast acting and delivered via shots, also called injections. Warfarin comes in pill form and takes several days to have an effect. Aspirin also is a blood thinner used to prevent blood clots."

Read more here: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/antiphospholipid-syndrome/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355836

Do you have blood clots?

@colleenyoung Thank you for the info. Yes, my dr. was adamant about me taking Warfarin and not Eliquis. I'm on Medicaid so I haven't check yet if Heparin will be approved. It's funny though, I took Eliquis for two years when they thought I had Factor V Leidens and never had a problem. No, thankfully no clots for two years.

@oic I was on eliquis as thinner for cardiac, but was having a lot (abnormal) hair loss so I was switched to Dabigatran for thrombis management!
Good luck 🤞🏽

my wife has APS but has a headache everyday on Warfarin. Anyone out there that uses Eliquis or another item and are still alive and well?? Can't stand to see her with headache every day. Doctors are so afraid they will get sued or something....

@albertb Warfarin can cause headaches and, in some cases, need careful monitoring.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/deep-vein-thrombosis/in-depth/warfarin-side-effects/art-20047592
How long has she had these headaches? Does she have unusual bleeding anywhere? Can she describe the pain on a 1-10 scale, with 1=no pain and 10=severe pain? If you are, at all, concerned about the pain and/or the headaches are described more than 6 or7 on the pain scale, I would call the doctor on-call with the practice and ask for advice. These doctors can take calls even during the night, so don’t hesitate to call.
In most cases, your wife will be fine. I just gave you some things to do if she isn’t fine. Your wife is counting on you to be her nurse, doctor, and husband. Make her proud!

@albertb
For patients with Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS), headaches can be a direct symptom of the disease or a side effect of blood thinners like Warfarin and Eliquis (apixaban).

May I suggest reading:
Antiphospholipid Syndrome
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21685-antiphospholipid-syndrome

I test positive for this, but my numbers are low. I don't take anything other than Asprin for thinning . I have had several ischemic strokes, but haven't been real bad ones. Got all my functionality back except I get aphasia if hurried talking. Forget words a lot.

@albertb I've been on Eliquis for about five years now and I'm alive and well! Hope your wife's headaches go away.

@albertb
I take Eliquis.
Had multiple clots in my lungs and now take 10mg of Eliquis daily. Diagnosed 8 years ago.