Eliquis side-effects muscle weakness and numb/tingling toes

I think I'd want a second opinion. Do you have a pulmonologist?

Thank you for replying. I had an appointment with a hematologist on Monday and he said those symptoms are definitely connected to the Eliquis, reducing to 2.5 is appropriate in my case (he asked me questions about the circumstances surrounding my lung clots) and doing so should reduce the side effect.

Have you had side effects from long term use of Eliquis?

I have had short term side-effects from the use of Eliquis....I had been on warfarin for an extended period of time. My INR's were a tad erratic, so the physician changed me to Eliquis 2.5.mg daily. A week later, I had death defying episode of vertigo,....for the next 8 months played patty-cake with ENT, Neuro conults to identifiy my sudden onset of dizziness (up to 3-4 times per day) followed by a disequilibrium when walking. I finally did a deep-dive research in notable sites. Lo and Behold, an NIH site listed side effects system by system....neuro - vertigo, ataxia and dizziness! Stopped taking it on 8/8/2024 after having started it on 11/13/2023 - haven't been dizzy since and went back on the old-fashioned warfarin. Do your research, dig deep into the side effects and make your decisions from there.

Thank you. After my first episode I had to go for warfarin injections for 3 months as I recall. With the second episode I was put on Eliquis “for life”. The biggest difference as I recall is vitamin k as an antidote if needed where Eliquis has none.

It’s been since 2014 when I had the first episode. I assume warfarin is still administered by injection? I’d be willing to switch assuming the side effects I’m having aren’t associated with warfarin too. Lots to consider. I can reach out to my hematologist again because I’m having second thoughts.

Thanks for the reply.

Hopefully I have not mislead you! Warfarin is not administered by injection, it is in tablet form of varying milligrams and adjusted as needed by monitoring lab work - PT/INR - as the physician sees fit so that you remain with the desired range based on the reason that you are on it to begin with. You are right about Vitamin K, it will help reverse the effects. The only injection for anti-coagulant therapy that I am familiar with is Heparin or Lovenox. In my reading, there is now an antidote for Eliquis----Andexanet alfa (Andexxa - brand name). But make sure you discuss this all with your PCP. Are you worried about being on Eliquis because you were unaware that there was an antidote or for another reason. There are pros and cons to both in more ways than one. Hope this helps in making a decision.

Hello @msvjv, I combined your Eliquis side-effects discussions into one and also added it to the Heart & Blood Health group to help more members see your discussion, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/eliquis-muscle-weakness-and-numbtingling-toes/.

I'd also like to invite @lizthebrit, @joaf37, @arctic22, @lucyjake and @pickleball1946 to this discussion as they have all mentioned using Eliquis and some of its side-effects and concerns about taking the medication long-term.

I'd appreciate the opportunity to join this discussion especially since I have some added considerations that arose in the past 7 days, However, I need to figure out a way to do that as concisely as possible.

I do appreciate your interest. I'm still trying to figure out a way to be more succinct on Eliquis thoughts. One is why only challenges with the drug in the AM but not the second dose at night. Wondering if it could be related to what I take with what else and when. I tend to take the cardio Rx with some time in between. Also I had a similar experience (drug challenges only in the AM) with Metoprolol when prescribed initially several years ago. However on another topic here that took me off the track a bit because I don't know how to enter this on Mayo Connect: Yesterday, I just returned from a cardio appointment in another city (not Mayo). I've been going to the medical facility for 3 years. It is highly respected. I just received a portal message telling me they want me to consider an Rx called Amiodarone. It didn't take much after reading the associated information to conclude it's controversial. Am using this reply to ask for any feedback from Mayo Connect participants on that. Of course receiving the Rx request this way wasn't expected either... Will comment more on Eliquis soon.

I'm not clear on the mention of "challenges" with the drug, I'm assuming Eliquis. Without knowing your diagnoses and the reason you are taking cardiac medication, it would be difficult to respond. My main question at this time would be why you received a Portal message suggesting a medication change. Why did the physician not discuss this with you at the time of your visit? Strange! Also do not understand your reluctance to comment on Eliquis - either you have experienced side effects or haven't!