Eliquis and AFIB

@lenmayo Apixaban, rivaroxaban, and dabigatran don't 'prevent' blood clots; they only slow the process, or retard it. Clots eventually do form as patients taking DOACs learn soon enough when they puncture their skin.

@janicedStopping Eliquis should always be done under medical supervision, as abrupt discontinuation can increase the risk of blood clots, stroke, or other serious complications.
Key Considerations
Eliquis (apixaban) is an anticoagulant that prevents blood clots. Unlike some medications, it does not cause withdrawal symptoms, but stopping it suddenly can lead to a rapid return of clotting risk, potentially causing stroke, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), or pulmonary embolism (PE) within 24–48 hours of the last dose.
medxdrg.com
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Reasons for Stopping
Common reasons for discontinuing Eliquis include:
Temporary pause for surgery or medical procedures to reduce bleeding risk.
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Resolved underlying conditions, such as a clotting risk that has been treated or is no longer present.
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Adverse effects or bleeding complications, including internal or external bleeding.
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Pregnancy or breastfeeding, where alternative anticoagulants may be safer.
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Typical Process
Medical Assessment: Your doctor evaluates your risk of recurrent clots versus bleeding, considering factors like age, kidney function, and the reason for initial anticoagulation.
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Temporary or Permanent Discontinuation: For short-term pauses, Eliquis is usually stopped 1–2 days before a procedure, with adjustments for kidney function or high-risk surgeries. For long-term discontinuation, the decision is individualized based on clotting risk and overall health.
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Alternative Strategies: Your doctor may switch you to another anticoagulant, a lower dose, or non-medication approaches such as aspirin therapy or procedural interventions in select cases.
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Monitoring: After stopping, follow-up appointments and monitoring for signs of new clots are essential to ensure safety.
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I recently was told i could go off Eliquis. I would need to monitor and take baby aspirin. Past information always said one could not go off.

@peggyle I’m happy for you, and it would have been nice if I could have joined my Canadian relatives, and gotten a good, practical price on Apixaban! I had time constraints, and a medical emergency, which propagated other solutions, at my time of need. The bottom line is that I had to pay over $700.00 for a 90 day supply of Apixaban! I had to get on it pronto, because of my medical condition! It’s all over now, though! I’m on Plavix, after having ‘The Watchman’ heart implant! Times of crisis brings high prices!!

@tyl411
I paid 135.00 for a 90day supply of Apixaban which is Eliquis. Its so much more expensive in the states and is exactly the same

My last order of apixaban was from discountcanadadrugs.com,. 200 tablets for $46.02 plus $9.95 shipping. Referral coupon BER-LEO-540 for $20 off your first order.

@tyl411
I paid 135.00 for a 90day supply of Apixaban which is Eliquis. Its so much more expensive in the states and is exactly the same

@peggyle
Sorry for the long answer. All of this was important to me, so perhaps I am overdoing the info:
From the Canadian pharmacy, I paid $274.11 for brand name Eliquis and $643.65 for brand name Multaq for 168 tablets. I add the Multaq so that it is a bit clearer as to why buying in the States is also a better bargain with the now new pricing here.
The yearly cost of the Eliquis and Multaq was $3671.04. Add shipping of $10 per order, and then $10 for tracking, at a cost of $80, that brings the yearly cost to $3751.04. Divide by 12 months equals a monthly cost of roughly $85 per month for Eliquis, and add the $80/yearly for shipping and tracking.
In the States, I pay $228.58 for 90 Eliquis brand tablets (22 more). We could extrapolate that out, but extrapolating it out doesn’t factor in the bargain here with the new pricing for Medicare participants. I have attached the pic from Optum Rx. It says that at this point we have paid all but $787.95 of the yearly cost of both the Eliquis and Multaq. So by my next order (3/4 of the year through), I will only pay $162.01 for both meds. The last quarter will be shipped without a bill.
There is a cap now on most Medicare meds of $2100 per year. For the last payment of $162.01, roughly 25% is for Eliquis. That is roughly $40. All totaled, roughly, that is $725 per year, and divided by 12 months, that is roughly $60 a month.
Forgive my math if I have it wrong, I have at least given the pricing structure, so I hope all of this helps in making a decision.