The big 3 and blood thinners

I'm on xarelto for afib and was on the antibiotics for 14 months. My doctor never said anything about it. You do not want to go on Coumadin (generic warfarin) if you can avoid it. It requires regular testing and interacts with food so some diet restrictions may be required. Some doctors are not comfortable with the newer blood thinners.
Coumadin has been around for more than 60 years. Not saying however that this applies to your doctor.

@dbug7857, here's the discussion where fellow members @thumperguy @sounder27 @ginak @1065408 @dulwich @rits shared A-fib and MAC experiences

- A-Fib and MAC https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/a-fib-and-mac/

My I.D. Dr. told me that the reason he did not want me to be on Eliquis, which is just like Xarelto, is because it runs the risk of internal bleeding,when used with azithromycin or rifampin, and hemorrhaging since it cannot be titrated. He said that even though warfarin/Coumadin are old school and you have to be blood tested regularly they can titrate the thinness of your blood so you don’t have the risk of taking that with the rifampin. Have you heard of anything like this?

I did a little research and apparently it is the rifampin that is the problem.. I was put on Rifampin along with azithromycin and ethambutol but had side effects so I was on the big 2. There are studies going on to see if Rifampin is necessary. My doctor was sure that the studies would conclude that it is not.

I have colonoscopies very often and when I switched from Coumadin to xerolto my gastroenterologist was very uncomfortable and wanted me to do the horrible shots required for procedures when on Coumadin. After he talked to my cardiologist he was more comfortable but still asks me every time if I checked with cardiology to set the day to stop the xarelto. I think the newer blood thinners make doctors nervous.

FYI, if anyone really needs to be on Coumadin, there are home testing devices for blood clotting (INR) using a finger prick so that you don’t have to go to the lab.

Thank you that is good information to know!

dbug, how about checking with a pharmacist you trust? Don

I was really happy with the home tester because I always had a problem keeping my test result within the required limits and had needed to go in for the test really often. With the home tester, I had to test every week and call in the result. Then there was the lovenox shots required before any procedure where there might be bleeding. Switching to xarelto was a relief.