Managing Side Effects of Eliquis in the Elderly

Managing Side Effects of Eliquis in the Elderly

Understanding Eliquis and Its Use in Older Adults

Eliquis is a blood thinner prescribed to treat blood clots, prevent strokes, and reduce the risk of embolism.

Elderly people have an increased risk of stroke and other cardiovascular issues. Blood thinners such as Eliquis can protect older patients with co-occurring health issues.

LifeSpring Home Nutrition supports families and individuals in our community who live with health issues requiring Eliquis, heparin, or other brand-name medications. We offer heart-healthy, medically tailored meals (MTMs).

What Is Eliquis (Apixaban)?

Eliquis is one of the most common oral anticoagulants prescribed to treat deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), and other health complications by inhibiting the clotting Factor Xa (FXa) and preventing clot formation.

Blood clots can compromise overall health by restricting blood flow to essential organs such as the heart and brain. According to the Journal of Thrombosis and Thrombolysis, “Blood coagulation factor X (FX) occupies a central position in the coagulation system and is a key driver of thrombin generation.”

Doctors use Eliquis to inhibit FX and the clotting process in older adults with a high risk of preventable conditions, including stroke.

Why Do Older Adults Take Eliquis?

Eliquis does not pose the same level of danger to seniors as warfarin and other anticoagulants that may cause severe bleeding after minor injuries. 

Older adults have a higher risk of experiencing accidents and injuries that may cause bleeding. Some anticoagulants, like warfarin, can cause significant and even deadly blood loss if an older person falls, cuts themselves, or otherwise accidentally injures themselves.

Eliquis, when taken as directed, may not cause the same degree of intracranial bleeding or other complications due to injury.

How Does Eliquis Work?

Eliquis inhibits the enzyme Factor Xa that plays a central role in the coagulation process. 

Xa is responsible for generating thrombin, an enzyme directly involved in clot formation.

According to Pharmacy and Therapeutics, “Clinical trial data suggest that apixaban is more effective than warfarin in preventing stroke and systemic embolism in patients with atrial fibrillation and at least one additional risk factor for stroke, without increasing the risk of bleeding.” Eliquis does this by preventing the conversion of prothrombin to thrombin.

Common Side Effects of Eliquis in the Elderly

What Are the Most Common Side Effects?

Some of the most common side effects of Eliquis include:

• Minor cuts bleed excessively
• Easily bruised
• Prolonged nosebleeds 
• Heavy menstrual cycle
• Vitamin or mineral deficiencies 
• Allergic reactions, including rash, hives, severe headache, joint pain, or throat swelling

However, everyone reacts to medications differently depending on multiple factors, including age, diet, general health, and any co-occurring conditions.

A healthy diet and balanced meals reduce the risk of cardiovascular issues. In addition to lowering your likelihood of developing cardiovascular issues, a balanced diet also decreases symptoms caused by dementia or other forms of age-related cognitive decline.

How Might Side Effects Differ for Older Adults?

Older adults often have more complex health conditions or multiple co-occurring conditions that require prescribed medications, affecting how they respond to Eliquis. 

Some side effects can affect people of all ages. For example, the medication may cause an allergic reaction in some cases. However, age also plays a significant role in the type and severity of side effects a person may experience.

A few of the most common effects reported by older adults taking Eliquis include: 

• Persistent bleeding 
• Frequent bruising
• Anemia

More rare but potentially dangerous side effects include spinal or epidural Hematoma and major bleeding.

LifeSpring Home Nutrition helps older people avoid anemia and other side effects by providing clients with a balanced diet that includes the recommended amount of vitamins and minerals to meet their needs.

Which Lifestyle Factors Can Increase Side Effects?

The most common lifestyle factors that increase side effects for older adults taking Eliquis include: 

• Consuming certain foods or drinks, such as grapefruit juice or grapefruits, pomelos, and Seville oranges
• Frequent alcohol use or alcohol use disorder (AUD)
• Certain supplements, including Ginkgo Biloba, turmeric, ginger, garlic, and fish oil 
• A badly managed diet high in saturated fats 

Your lifestyle has a direct impact on how your body responds to prescription drugs and medical conditions. Understanding how certain foods or activities may affect medication effectiveness reduces the risk of complications.

You can easily address these issues by changing your diet to avoid problematic foods. LifeSpring Home Nutrition can help by providing you with a week’s worth of pre-portioned, heart-healthy meals designed to improve your overall wellness.

Serious Side Effects to Watch For

When Should I Seek Immediate Medical Attention?

You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience unexplained, severe, and persistent chest pain or back pain, excessive bleeding, or signs of internal bleeding. 

Seeking medical advice and treatment as soon as you identify a potential problem can keep you from experiencing permanent or severe side effects of Eliquis or other prescription drugs.

Although the medication reduces your risk of blood clots, it also makes it easier for you to accidentally injure yourself in a way that causes excessive bleeding. Seek immediate treatment for any accident, injury, or illness that may result in internal bleeding or persistent external bleeding.

Always err on the side of caution to ensure you receive treatment early if you do encounter any health concerns while taking Eliquis. The dangerous nature of blood thinners makes it essential for you to get medically assessed by a professional if you get hurt.

What Are the Signs of Internal Bleeding?

Some of the most common and noticeable signs of internal bleeding include: 

• Extreme pain with no known cause
• Dizziness
• Weakness or fainting
• Unusually fast heart rate 
• Going into shock
• Abdominal swelling and pain 
• Large bruises or bruises that continue to grow
• Dark stool with the consistency of tar or coffee grounds
• Coughing up blood
• Severe headache 
• Vision changes or loss of consciousness after a head injury 

Understanding the warning signs of internal bleeding can save lives by ensuring older adults taking Eliquis seek help quickly. Internal bleeding can have many causes and may be life-threatening.

Older adults prescribed Eliquis have a higher risk of experiencing internal bleeding due to relatively small injuries. Any accident or injury could develop into internal bleeding if a vein or artery is damaged. The most common causes of internal bleeding include medication side effects, medical conditions, and blunt force trauma.

How Should Surgery or Procedures Affect My Eliquis Use?

Eliquis reduces your risk of blood clots if you have knee replacement surgery or spinal procedures. 

Medical procedures and conditions may cause blood clots, including surgery or complications of pregnancy. For example, antiphospholipid syndrome is a condition some pregnant people develop that impacts the immune system and may lead to blood clots. Eliquis minimizes the risk of side effects by inhibiting the clotting process.

Managing Eliquis Safely

How Can I Reduce My Risk of Bleeding?

You can avoid excessive bleeding while taking Eliquis by following your doctor’s instructions and taking steps to reduce preventable injuries. 

Older adults taking Eliquis should make lifestyle changes to minimize fall risks and improve their health.

A few other ways you can avoid dangerous bleeding include: 

• Making sure all of your doctors know you take Eliquis 
• Avoiding risky activities 
• Monitoring for signs or symptoms of bleeding
• Only using Eliquis as prescribed
• Avoiding NSAIDs and other medications that interact with blood thinners

Everyone has unique risk factors to address when starting Eliquis or other anticoagulants. You should consult a healthcare provider to determine the best way to protect your health while taking the medication.

Why Is Regular Monitoring Important?

Older adults may not immediately realize when they injure themselves in a way that may cause internal bleeding or other medical emergencies. 

Prescription medications like Eliquis may cause physical or emotional side effects that affect your well-being. Monitoring your reactions to the medication and any interactions it has with other substances reduces the risk of adverse reactions.

In addition to helping you notice potential health complications or injuries more quickly, monitoring Eliquis use and overall wellness also allows you to see how the medication affects your health clearly. Medical professionals use monitoring to ensure older patients remain safe.

How Can I Work With My Healthcare Provider Effectively?

Check in frequently with your healthcare provider to ensure Eliquis remains the best treatment to meet your needs. 

Communication and honesty allow you to work effectively with your healthcare provider.

Some activities may not be safe for you if you take anticoagulants or have certain medical conditions treated by Eliquis, and your primary care provider can help you make informed choices. For example, routine medical services like blood tests may become more challenging if you have a high risk of excessive bleeding.

Always communicate any major life changes to your healthcare provider to reduce the risk of serious side effects. For example, if a person becomes pregnant, they should tell their doctor. Eliquis may affect the baby by passing through milk during breastfeeding. A medical professional can provide alternative medications during the breastfeeding period to ensure the safety of both the parent and the child.

Life With Eliquis: Daily Tips for Older Adults

How Should I Consider Eating and Lifestyle?

Consistency and routine in both diet and lifestyle enable older adults to use Eliquis safely to treat or manage various conditions. 

A balanced, nutritious diet strengthens bones, improves focus, and enhances overall wellness, reducing your risk of accidents or injuries.

LifeSpring Home Nutrition delivers delicious, balanced meals to your doorstep every week. Being consistent and planning a daily or weekly routine promotes self-awareness and makes it easier to avoid unhealthy patterns of behavior.

What Travel and Mobility Tips Are Helpful?

Some specific travel and mobility tips people use to avoid accidental injury or minor bleeding while taking Eliquis include: 

• Use soft-bristle toothbrushes to avoid gum bleeding
• Wear sturdy, close-toed shoes to improve balance and protect your feet
• Use electric razors instead of razor blades
• Always use protective gear, such as helmets, knee pads, and mouth guards, when engaging in sports

Travel may involve unique risk factors that increase a person’s likelihood of experiencing adverse effects in less-than-ideal situations. Always be mindful of your safety when travelling or engaging in activities. A simple fall could cause severe bruising or bleeding.

How Can I Protect My Emotional Well-Being?

You can protect your emotional well-being and overall health by being proactive about avoiding minor injuries that could lead to excessive bleeding. 

Some people may become paralyzed by the fear of experiencing uncontrollable bleeding in a situation where they cannot get help quickly. Creating a safety plan and taking steps to avoid all unnecessary bleeding can minimize the fear and anxiety related to Eliquis use.

Maintaining positive mental health also plays an important role in increasing independence for older adults with complex or chronic health issues.

Older adults collaborate with their medical team, family, or other members of their support system to identify potential issues and address them preemptively. For example, older adults have thinner skin. Wearing gloves can help protect their skin from bruising, scratches, or minor cuts that may lead to excessive bleeding.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS) About Eliquis in the Elderly

Can Eliquis cause nosebleeds or bleeding gums?

Yes, older adults prescribed Eliquis may experience nosebleeds and bleeding gums due to reduced clotting factors. 

You can avoid gum bleeding by switching to a softer toothbrush that is less likely to irritate the gums.

Anyone experiencing frequent nosebleeds should seek medical support if they have any uncontrollable bleeding or vomiting blood, which sometimes looks black with the consistency of coffee grounds.

Talk to a medical professional about your bleeding risk before beginning Eliquis or other anticoagulants to understand better the effects and how to avoid excessive bleeding while maintaining dental hygiene.

Is there an increased risk of stroke while on Eliquis?

No. Eliquis is an anticoagulant that reduces the risk of stroke. 

Every person has unique medical needs and reactions to medications. Although Eliquis is designed to minimize the risk of stroke by inhibiting the production of thrombin, there may be some cases where preexisting conditions, unexpected complications, or other factors may lead to a person experiencing a stroke while taking Eliquis.

Maintaining a healthy diet, getting quality sleep each night, remaining physically active, and staying hydrated also reduces the risk of stroke for older adults.

LifeSpring Home Nutrition provides heart-healthy meals that support cardiovascular health and overall wellness. A healthy diet significantly reduces the most common side effects of medical conditions like DVT.

Can I take NSAIDs or other over-the-counter medications?

No, you should avoid taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) with Eliquis due to an increased likelihood of gastrointestinal bleeding. 

Drug interactions may cause life-threatening bleeding problems. Frequently, people who combine these medications experience gastrointestinal bleeding, easy bruising, and nosebleeds.

A few examples of common NSAIDs include: 

• Ibuprofen (e.g., Advil, Motrin, etc.)
• Naproxen (Aleve)
• Aspirin
• Celecoxib (Celebrex)

NSAIDs reduce inflammation and help people manage pain. Older adults are more likely to use these medications to address chronic pain and other health issues. You should always avoid combining Eliquis and NSAIDs.

How does Eliquis interact with supplements?

Herbal supplements that impact coagulation and liver enzymes may impact the effectiveness of Eliquis. 

Always inform your doctor about any supplements you take to ensure they have the necessary information to prescribe Eliquis and other medications properly.

Some supplements may cause unsafe interactions if you take prescribed blood thinners or anticoagulants. For example, St. John’s Wort may reduce the effectiveness of Eliquis, whereas Ginkgo biloba, garlic, and other herbs may cause serious bleeding.

Can I take Eliquis if I have atrial fibrillation or heart valve issues?

You should not use Eliquis to manage or treat AFib caused by heart valve problems. 

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Eliquis as a preventative medication for people with a high risk of nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AFib). However, anyone with an artificial heart valve or heart valve disease should not take Eliquis. The medication may cause blood clots to form in the valves or lead to other complications.

A healthcare professional must determine if you can safely take Eliquis or other medications.

Doctors prescribe Eliquis and other anticoagulants to help older adults manage their risk of stroke or other health issues. LifeSpring Home Nutrition provides support to people with complex health issues by offering medically tailored meals to communities in California. To sign up for weekly meal deliveries or learn more about our services, call us today at (800) 798-5767.