Eliquis Side Effects
Listed possible side effects you may experience while using the prescription drug Eliquis.
Eliquis Side Effects
Both taking Eliquis and stopping Eliquis treatment once it has commenced are associated with numerous side effects, from the relatively minor to the potentially fatal. Eliquis also has been shown to become even more dangerous when taken in conjunction with certain other medications.
Risk Of Bleeding
The risk of bleeding is inherent to all so-called “blood-thinners”, as their purpose is to reduce clotting in the blood. However, certain anticoagulants—the class of anti-clotting agents that includes Eliquis—present more of a bleeding risk than others, particularly when taken along with other anti-clotting medications.
According to the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), medications that should not be taken in conjunction with Eliquis, as they may increase the risk of bleeding, include:
- Aspirin or drugs containing aspirin
- Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
- Warfarin sodium (Sold under the brand names Coudamin and Jantoven)
- Heparin and heparin-containing medications
- Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) or Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)
- Other anticlotting medications
Because Eliquis prevents blood from clotting as it naturally would, it can make otherwise normal bleeding incidents more severe and potentially very dangerous. For example, women taking Eliquis may find that their menstrual bleeding to be heavier than usual, and individuals might notice excessive bleeding from the gums or nosebleeds that occur more frequently and with greater severity.
Did you or someone you know suffer a serious bleeding incident while taking Eliquis? In lawsuits across the country, patients are claiming they were inadequately warned about the very serious risks of bleeding associated with Eliquis treatment. Contact the expert attorneys at TheLawFirm.com now for a free consultation.
When one refers to the “bleeding risk” associated with Eliquis, what exactly does this mean? According to the FDA, taking Eliquis can result in:
- Any bleeding incident being more severe and longer-lasting, with the potential to become out of control
- Bruises that form more easily and take longer to heal
- Bleeding from the gums
- Nosebleeds
- Heavier bleeding during menstrual cycles
- Red, Pink, or brown color to urine from the presence of blood
- Coughing up blood and/or blood clots
- Unexplained and/or excessive swelling
- Vomiting blood (or vomit takes on the appearance of “coffee grounds”)
- Headaches
- Lightheadness
- Weakness
Spinal or Epidural Blood Clots / Hematoma
Research has revealed that individuals taking anticoagulants like Eliquis have an increased risk of developing serious complications when suffering a spinal puncture or while underdoing injections to the spinal or epidural area. The result can be the development of a spinal blood clot, a very severe condition that can result in long-term or even permanent paralysis, or hematoma, bleeding in the spinal area.
Spinal strokes. Spinal blood clots are a particularly dangerous form of blood clot that can result in serious conditions such as a so-called “spinal stroke” in which the blood flow to certain areas of the spine is disrupted. Spinal strokes caused by a blood clot that blocks an artery supplying the spinal cord are called ischaemic spinal strokes.
The symptoms of a spinal stroke typically take effect quickly, often within minutes. Early indicators frequently include intense neck and back pain, muscle weakness in the lower body, and bowl and bladder abnormalities. Sufferers of spinal stroke also report unusual symptoms, such as the sensation that something had been tied tightly around one’s torso at the point in the spine where the blood flow has been disrupted.
The potential long-term effects of a spinal stroke are more severe. As a result of blood flow being cut off to vital areas for an extended period of time, spinal stroke can result in paralysis, chronic pain, bowel and bladder issues, sexual dysfunction, and depression.
According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the factors that have been shown to increase the risk of spinal or epidural blood clot include use of an epidural catheter in the spine; the taking of NSAIDs, anticoagulants, or other anticlotting agents; having a history of epidural or spinal punctures; or having previously experienced spinal problems generally.
Getting Medical Assistance
All the information in the world about potential side effects is useless if one does not know the signs to look out for. According to the FDA, those taking Eliquis should seek emergency medical assistance if they notice:
- Pain or tightness in the chest
- Swelling of the face or tongue
- Difficulty breathing, wheezing
- Lightheadedness, fainting
- Unexpected bleeding or bleeding that won’t stop
- Discoloration to the urine
- Red or black coloration to the stool
- Coughing up and/or vomiting blood
- Unexplained swelling or joint pain
- Lightheadedness, headache, fainting
Potential Side Effects of Stopping Eliquis treatment
Stroke:
One of the two Black Box Warnings that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has required for Eliquis involves the risk of stroke in those who discontinue Eliquis use without proper medical guidance.
There are many routine instances, such as dental procedures or minor surgeries, in which a patient taking Eliquis may be required to cease taking the drug for a period of time. However, doing so increases the chances that a patient will develop blood clots, which may travel to the brain and cause a stroke. A doctor may be able to prescribe a replacement medication that will hedge the risk of stroke when stopping Eliquis treatment.
Author: Daniel Gala
Legal Disclaimer: The information in this article is not intended to be used as medical information or diagnosis. The sources of the information presented in the article have been researched and are linked within the article. Please seek out medical advice from a licensed medical professional if you are experiencing a problem with any of the drugs or devices mentioned in this article.
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