Does Pradaxa cause the same leg muscle weakness as Eliquis?

Hi shepsiccle,

Are you sure it’s Eliquis that causes your leg muscle weakness? When I finally decided to take an anticoagulant about two years ago, I was prescribed Pradaxa which instantly caused troubling gut problems including GERD and constipation (though I did not notice any muscle weakness). I was forced to take prescription doses of Pepsid twice a day which did little to mitigate the miserable digestive problems. A few months ago, the day I switched to Eliquis is the day the digestive problems stopped forever. I couldn’t believe that I had suffered so long taking the Pradaxa. I notice no side effects from the Eliquis. I am 80 and walk or ride my bicycle several miles per day, work vigorously in the garden, and certainly notice no leg muscle weakness. I strongly advise not switching to Pradaxa!

I am hoping for the opposite experience. Yes, leg weakness from Eliquis is very real and quite debilitating. It doesn't happen to everyone, and I'm very glad it isn't happening to you. It was progressive for me, so I hope you continue to escape. I know people who take Pradaxa without any problems, too, so I think it is a matter of each person finding the right medicine for them.

I have taken Pradaxa now for many years. In the last six month or so, I have had an issue whereas my right leg has some discomfort and weakness. Not all the time, but frequently. These comments perhaps substantiate that there might be some reaction. But, after 10 years? Any comments on this issue would be appreciated. RH/Florida

@westernflyer Just my 2 cents, but as I see it if you have taken Pradaxa for many years without any observed side effects, new symptoms that show up unexpectedly, more recently, and intermittently are most likely occurring for other reasons and is NOT a side effect of the medication you have been taking for years- in your case Pradaxa.

Leg pain and muscle weakness are very general symptoms and have a myriad of causes, and aren't uncommon in an elderly population. As has been said repeatedly in the discussions about the goods, bads and uglies about the newer DOAC anticoagulants ( Xarelto, Eliquis, Pradaxa), a person who's experiencing negative issues ( real or perceived) with a prescribed medication, be it a "blood thinner", or any other medication, is better off sharing his/her concerns, looking for solutions with the prescriber, and taking all the well intentioned, but often misleading advice from the (plug in the name of the medication du jour) detractor band wagon with a large grain of salt.

@marybird Yes, I agree..the net was the ingredient for my comment. Because of other issues to wit: discoloration of the skin, a sense of coolness and as mentioned some discomfort, my best guess is a light form of PADS. Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) causes leg discomfort. Thanks for stopping in....

On the other hand, when you have been told by your doctor that what you are experiencing is not real, you are imagining it, and we must all worship at the altar of whatever is easiest for our doctor, it is helpful to come to a place like this and learn that others ARE experiencing what you are experiencing and you're not crazy.

@westernflyer There you go.... and if it's determined that PAD is indeed the problem, measures can be taken to correct, or at least to mitigate the damage and pain associated with this condition. Assuming that such symptoms are side effects of a medication without doing anything to show this is really the case, and stopping the medication based on this assumption doesn't correct the symptoms, and the person no longer derives any benefits from taking the drug.