Suggest treatment for occluded vein which is aggravated after knee surgery
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I have a partially occluded vein, from ankle to hip, from DVT in 2004, had knee surgery which picked up the problem 5 months ago, I am on Xarelto, is this a safe drug?
I have seen a doctor, just ticked wrong box
I have seen a doctor, just ticked wrong box
Posted Tue, 26 Aug 2014
in Veins and Arteries
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James 1 hour later
Brief Answer:
risk of side effects is low
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
Xarelto is one of the new anti clotting drugs (anti coagulant).
It is one of the drugs that can be used instead of the more common anticoagulant, warfarin. Years ago, without these new drugs, this is what would have been recommended.
With warfarin, there is a risk of interaction with many other drugs and also with a lot of foods resulting in restriction of diet. In addition, blood tests (PT , INR) are needed often with warfarin to check to make sure it is at good level.
With the new anticoagulants such as xarelto there is no need for frequent blood tests every 2 to 4 weeks, little drug interaction, little interaction with food (so no need to drastically change diet).
The other new ones are pradaxa and eliquis.
In terms of potential side effects of xarelto, the most frequent possible effects are: back pain, headache, diarrhoea, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, rash, nose bleeds , abdominal pain, rash, itching, stomach upset, muscle spasm, blood in urine.
The above effects have been found to occur in 6% or less of persons who use the drug. This means less than 6 persons out of 100 will have the above effects.
This means that you have a very low chance of having these effects.
In terms of the risk of bleeding,less than 1% of persons with a history of DVT had any bleeding, this is one out of 100.
Again a very low risk.
Summary:(1) compared to warfarin, these drugs are a lot easier to tolerate
(2) there is a risk of side effects but it is small
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
risk of side effects is low
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
Xarelto is one of the new anti clotting drugs (anti coagulant).
It is one of the drugs that can be used instead of the more common anticoagulant, warfarin. Years ago, without these new drugs, this is what would have been recommended.
With warfarin, there is a risk of interaction with many other drugs and also with a lot of foods resulting in restriction of diet. In addition, blood tests (PT , INR) are needed often with warfarin to check to make sure it is at good level.
With the new anticoagulants such as xarelto there is no need for frequent blood tests every 2 to 4 weeks, little drug interaction, little interaction with food (so no need to drastically change diet).
The other new ones are pradaxa and eliquis.
In terms of potential side effects of xarelto, the most frequent possible effects are: back pain, headache, diarrhoea, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, rash, nose bleeds , abdominal pain, rash, itching, stomach upset, muscle spasm, blood in urine.
The above effects have been found to occur in 6% or less of persons who use the drug. This means less than 6 persons out of 100 will have the above effects.
This means that you have a very low chance of having these effects.
In terms of the risk of bleeding,less than 1% of persons with a history of DVT had any bleeding, this is one out of 100.
Again a very low risk.
Summary:(1) compared to warfarin, these drugs are a lot easier to tolerate
(2) there is a risk of side effects but it is small
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Follow-up: Suggest treatment for occluded vein which is aggravated after knee surgery 1 hour later
There has been a recent "scare" here in Australia about heart attack risks being greater than with warfrin, I did see and understand your answer, but would like clarification of this recent development, thank you
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James 32 minutes later
Brief Answer:
presently used in europe for heart attacks
Detailed Answer:
Hi
There are precautions regarding discontinuation of these anticoagulants, particularly in persons with atrial fibrillation.
It is thought that discontinuation in these persons can increase the risk of a clot forming causing a heart attack or stroke though a study published in 2013 in JACC stated that the risk is the same.
In Europe, the european commission gave approval in 2013 for xarelto to be used in persons who have blood indicators of ACS or heart attack.
The FDA is still reviewing this possible use.
Summary: at present used in Europe for persons with heart attack to prevent further clotting blood vessels in the heart
If you are not comfortable using it then you can use warfarin instead. It has been used for years and therefore there is a wealth of information on its use.
The new meds have been around for a few years, not as long as warfarin.
The final decision depends on which one you are most comfortable using.
presently used in europe for heart attacks
Detailed Answer:
Hi
There are precautions regarding discontinuation of these anticoagulants, particularly in persons with atrial fibrillation.
It is thought that discontinuation in these persons can increase the risk of a clot forming causing a heart attack or stroke though a study published in 2013 in JACC stated that the risk is the same.
In Europe, the european commission gave approval in 2013 for xarelto to be used in persons who have blood indicators of ACS or heart attack.
The FDA is still reviewing this possible use.
Summary: at present used in Europe for persons with heart attack to prevent further clotting blood vessels in the heart
If you are not comfortable using it then you can use warfarin instead. It has been used for years and therefore there is a wealth of information on its use.
The new meds have been around for a few years, not as long as warfarin.
The final decision depends on which one you are most comfortable using.
Follow-up: Suggest treatment for occluded vein which is aggravated after knee surgery 22 hours later
I read your answer thank you, but I would like to go a little further. We have just recently heard on the wireless that Xarelto causes an increase in risk of heart attacks, previously not mentioned, is this correct?
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James 33 minutes later
Brief Answer:
when compared to warfarin
Detailed Answer:
Hi
When compared to warfarin, it is thought the the newer anticoagulants may have a higher associated chance of a heart attack. This means that there heart protection, though present, may not be as efficient as warfarin.
Despite this possibility xarelto is currently being used for disease of the coronary (heart) blood vessels.
It is understandable that you are concerned, you should be about your own health.
It is a matter of weighing the pros and cons of xarelto and warfarin.
If the increased risk is not tolerable then you should use warfarin instead.
If the issues with warfarin are not tolerable then you can use the xarelto
Both of these meds have issues with them, no medication can be perfect unfortunately.
In the end it is up to you to decide what you are comfortable with taking.
Hope this helps
when compared to warfarin
Detailed Answer:
Hi
When compared to warfarin, it is thought the the newer anticoagulants may have a higher associated chance of a heart attack. This means that there heart protection, though present, may not be as efficient as warfarin.
Despite this possibility xarelto is currently being used for disease of the coronary (heart) blood vessels.
It is understandable that you are concerned, you should be about your own health.
It is a matter of weighing the pros and cons of xarelto and warfarin.
If the increased risk is not tolerable then you should use warfarin instead.
If the issues with warfarin are not tolerable then you can use the xarelto
Both of these meds have issues with them, no medication can be perfect unfortunately.
In the end it is up to you to decide what you are comfortable with taking.
Hope this helps
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