Eliquis and Fatigue: What Users Say

• dk9...
• April 3, 2020

For Prevention of Thromboembolism in Atrial Fibrillation "I have A-Fib and had a pacemaker installed in December 2019. At that time, my doctor had told me that as soon as I am healed from the pacemaker procedure, he wanted to do an ablation for the A-Fib. About 1 month and a half ago, he prescribed Eliquis for my procedure that was supposed to be April 9th but has been canceled due to the COVID-19 issues. I have gained about 15-20 lbs since I started taking it. I am fatigued, my joints ache and hurt all the time, and I am having problems having regular bowel movements. I thought I was losing my mind to begin with until I looked at some of these reviews and saw others who were having the same kinds of issues. I am still on it and don't have any idea when I might be able to have the procedure and get off of it. I asked the nurse if the weight gain or constipation might be from Eliquis, and she said no...???? Prayers for me would be appreciated!"

• RWi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 29, 2019

For Pulmonary Embolism "I have been on Eliquis for pulmonary embolism in both lungs. I was a healthy, active 42-year-old woman, and no reason for them. I had severe headaches, muscle weakness, and fatigue for a few weeks. I started feeling a lot better and was doing well with my usual kickboxing workout until recently. I am now experiencing fatigue and severe back pain, as well as dizziness and shortness of breath. I'm hoping I can get off of the meds in March. Anyone else experience this?"

• dan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 24, 2019

For Prevention of Thromboembolism in Atrial Fibrillation "I was on Eliquis for three weeks prior to a cardioversion. Made me feel tired, fatigued, no motivation. I would get a headache in the afternoon and wake up with a headache. Sometimes I felt woozy, almost dizzy. After the cardioversion, I went to 1/2 tablet for a week. The side effects were somewhat less, but still terrible. I didn't feel like doing anything, dishes piled up in the sink, house didn't get swept, I just felt like sitting. I stopped taking it, and the next day I felt great. Not doing this again."

• Nic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 20, 2020

For Prevention of Thromboembolism in Atrial Fibrillation "My mother (75) was taken off Warfarin after 20 years and prescribed Eliquis for convenience. Four days on Eliquis was more than enough. Just got back from the ER where we spent the night getting her checked out. She experienced tremors, fatigue, nausea, loss of balance, and basically felt like rubbish! This drug seems quite dangerous even though our cardiologist tells us she has successfully placed hundreds on the drug. I would not recommend it to anyone!"

• Kod...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 15, 2019

For Deep Vein Thrombosis Prophylaxis after Knee Replacement Surgery "I would like to know if anyone else on Eliquis has experienced the following while on this med. I have had a 12-pound weight gain in three months, a cough that won’t go away, gout, balance issues, and serious joint pain. Am I the only one? Are others experiencing some of the same? Every day I wake up, my weight is up two more pounds. I am very tired all the time. Help, I feel like I am going nuts, and the doctors think I am a hypochondriac."

• Kas...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 6, 2019

For Deep Vein Thrombosis "I was put on Eliquis by my MD just because he liked it better than Warfarin. I was previously on Warfarin with no problems. On Eliquis, I have experienced severe muscle spasms and weakness. I am also very tired, eyes are blurry, nose bleeds, weight gain, itching, and just general malaise. I asked my doctor several times to take me off Eliquis and put me back on Warfarin. He refused. I changed doctors, got off the Eliquis, and back on Warfarin. I now feel so much better, and my muscles are getting stronger, and I have my energy back. This Eliquis is poison to me. I also will note I had no A-Fib. I never did. Listen to your body. It knows best."

• Pho...
• June 2, 2020

For Deep Vein Thrombosis "I was prescribed Eliquis after experiencing an upper extremity deep vein thrombosis due to thoracic outlet syndrome. The clot was dissolved in the hospital through thrombolysis. I was sent home with Eliquis 10 mg x2 per day for a week, then 5 mg x2 per day for maintenance. I didn't realize how horrible this drug made me feel until I called my hematologist after 3 months and begged him to reduce the dose. I experienced extreme fatigue, depression/apathy, muscle pain all over my body, and joint pain that would keep me up at night in my hips and lower back. My whole body began to hurt all the time after about 5 weeks on the medication. I couldn't do any exercise without being unable to get out of a chair for days afterwards. Not to mention the horrible heartburn. Fortunately, I see a TOS expert soon, and fingers crossed will be able to drop the Eliquis entirely. Has been an awful experience."

• San...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 20, 2019

For Prevention of Thromboembolism in Atrial Fibrillation "After a routine internist visit and then an EKG, I was diagnosed with Afib but with a low pulse, therefore, I have no major symptoms of Afib - maybe a sometimes pounding heart. I saw two cardiologists and was placed on Eliquis. Since then, I have had major joint pain, difficulty climbing steps, dizziness, fatigue, and itching. All in all, the joint pain was unreal, and I took myself off the 2.5 mg twice a day that I was taking (even though my prescription was 5 mg twice a day). Eliquis has lactose in it, and I am lactose intolerant, so I immediately noticed a problem, and that is why I cut my pills in half to take a 2.5 mg dose. That did solve the lactose problem, but the joint issues were not resolved until I got off the medication. I was on it for about 2 months, so I am unsure how expensive it was ultimately going to be because I was given a free month and then a reduced-rate month. I am 72 years old."

• Ach...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 7, 2018

For Prevention of Thromboembolism in Atrial Fibrillation "Symptoms of joint pain, fatigue, and burning skin came on gradually until it felt as if I had the flu with burning skin. Symptoms started to resolve within two days of discontinuing this drug. You couldn’t pay me to take it again."

• Lol...
• July 30, 2020

For Pulmonary Embolism "Was placed on Eliquis after a small PE. The clot was dissolved within three weeks, so while I’m grateful the Eliquis did its job, I begged my doctor to take me off it and got switched to Warfarin. Eliquis just made me feel lifeless. I had all day fatigue and weakness, feeling spacey and zoned out to the degree that it was very challenging to work at times, dizziness, heart palpitations, spells where I felt on the verge of passing out, difficulty swallowing, random weird pains in my eyes, ears, and extremities, back spasms and constant back pain, water weight gain and uncomfortable bloating and swelling, swollen feet and ankles, nausea, GI distress, stomach pains, and diarrhea, and rectal bleeding. Also had liver tests come back with abnormalities while on the med. These symptoms caused my doctor to refer me to several trips to the ER."

• Roo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 28, 2019

"Extreme fatigue, weakness, shaky, can't walk, hard to get up out of a chair, no motivation. You are miserable every day. I have AFIB. In the ads, maybe the actor walking through the fruit orchard with much spark should actually take the drug before he does another commercial."

• Ore...
• March 13, 2020

For Deep Vein Thrombosis "Update from a previous comment. Switched from Xarelto to Eliquis about 12 months ago. Horrific side effects as with Xarelto. I had days where I can't remember simple basic things, difficulty remembering family members' names. Am dizzy, nauseous, osteoarthritis, joint pain, ears ringing, complete loss of vision. Penile bleeding. Strange pimples. Horrific lack of energy. Chest pains and fluttering heart, feels like a heart attack. WEIGHT GAIN... I went from 150-165 average to becoming 210. But adding weight plus the inability to exercise and strengthen the body.. any mishap fall or jump or avoidance of sudden movement and you can be SEVERELY INJURED. As I lay here with a back injury also related to NEUROPATHY from Eliquis."

• Sep...
• September 28, 2017

For Deep Vein Thrombosis, Prophylaxis "Anyone who takes this drug should have their head examined. I plan to file a lawsuit for what this medicine did to me. Nausea, headache, bruising, stiff, painful joints, bleeding, and fatigue. You name it, this drug will do it to you. I quit this drug, and any doctor who suggests taking it again will get dismissed by me."

• KR2...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 9, 2017

For Pulmonary Embolism "I was 23 when I developed my first DVT and was instantly put on Xarelto. Being low risk, I was told to go on with normal activity. Xarelto left me feeling exhausted after minimal activity. Two days later, my DVT moved through my heart, into my lungs causing a PE. I was put on Heparin while in the hospital. Left the hospital a few days later and resumed Xarelto with the continued awful side effects. I continued to experience chest pain, shortness of breath, and extreme exhaustion. My doctor thought I was having a reaction to the medicine so they switched me to Eliquis. Since then, I have had zero side effects. I have my life back for once. Love that you don't need to have your INR checked, and foods don't counteract the drug."

• Tir...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 21, 2024

"I had one episode of A-Fib and ended up on Metoprolol and Eliquis. Paperwork supplied by the pharmacy said I should watch out for blood in urine. And it did appear... turned out I had a large kidney stone and had surgery for that. Then had surgery to remove diseased parathyroid... reason for kidney stone. Expected to start feeling better, but progressively got worse. I'm a healthy 69-year-old, but standing on my feet for too long was hard. Now, I have a knee that gets so sore and stiff I can barely get in or out of my car, I have trouble standing up from sitting, and have to stand and hold on for a minute to steady myself before walking... which I can only do slowly. I can barely go up and down stairs, and my washer/dryer are in the basement. I'm tired all the time - I can sit down and fall asleep for an hour or two or three. Fatigue, depression, sore joints, sore muscles, random pains, balance, no energy. I'm actually relieved to find a reason - apparently Eliquis side effects."

• Sic...
• July 7, 2016

For Deep Vein Thrombosis, Prophylaxis "I am 30 years old and was placed on Eliquis 5 mg twice daily after a venogram with stenting in my left groin. Since I've been on Eliquis, it's done its job as far as thinning my blood, but I've also had some really nasty side effects from it. I have been bleeding vaginally for 16 days (was on my period when I started the medication and haven't stopped bleeding). I am diabetic and take multiple injections daily, so I look like someone has beat me up. I'm constantly nauseated, have no appetite, no energy, heart palpitations at times, cold all the time, night sweats, and pink-tinged urine. I'm waiting on a callback from the doctor to see about lowering the dose or changing the medication altogether."

• Kar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 1, 2024

For Prevention of Thromboembolism in Atrial Fibrillation "I started Eliquis two weeks before a cardiac ablation. After the ablation (three weeks ago), I began to have fatigue, shortness of breath, and muscle and joint pain. I stopped taking it yesterday to see if this was from the Eliquis."

• Yar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 28, 2021

For Pulmonary Embolism "I started Eliquis on 12/2. All was fine at first, but now 26 days later, I am experiencing fatigue, anxiety, backache, and stomach issues. Spoke to my doctor yesterday, and he told me that these symptoms are NOT from this medication at all. But I do believe they are! Been to the ER, cardiologist, and everything normal. I was given Xanax because obviously they think I’m insane. Hopefully, I’ll be able to get off at the end of January when they do a follow-up CT scan to see if the clot has resolved."

• Car...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 7, 2022

For Deep Vein Thrombosis "I’ve been diagnosed with DVT and PE 2.5 years ago and have been taking Eliquis until this time. While reading some of the comments, I should say that those are common side effects (headache, body malaise, fatigue, low energy, hip and joint pains) that can also be triggered by other factors like your lifestyle and age. If you’re young and on Eliquis and you’re not eating and exercising, you can have issues. If you’re older, these side effects could be part of the aging process and other body issues that you have. A drug may work for some but not for all. I just want to say that what keeps you alive and does not put you in the graveyard is the considerable drug to take. If the drug hinders you from earning a living or keeps you bed-bound, then switch to another blood thinner. Research, and with the help of a doctor, do what’s best for your body."

• Car...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 7, 2022

For Deep Vein Thrombosis "I’ve been diagnosed with DVT and PE 2.5 years ago and have been taking Eliquis until this time. While reading some of the comments, I should say that those are common side effects (headache, body malaise, fatigue, low energy, hip and joint pains) that can also be triggered by other factors like your lifestyle and age. If you’re young and on Eliquis and you’re not eating and exercising, you can have issues. If you’re older, these side effects could be part of the aging process and other body issues that you have. A drug may work for some but not for all. I just want to say that what keeps you alive and does not put you in the graveyard is the considerable drug to take. If the drug hinders you from earning a living or keeps you bed-bound, then switch to another blood thinner. Research, and with the help of a doctor, do what’s best for your body."

• 25...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 29, 2021

For Deep Vein Thrombosis "I am 67 years young, pescatarian, no sugar. Exercise daily, take 5 mg x 2. The only side effects I have are some minor itching and fatigue. Been on Eliquis for over 10 years. It does well for me. An occasional espresso helps some, but eating well is the key. Don’t fool yourself by eating junk."

• Dia...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 18, 2021

For Pulmonary Embolism "Aug 2020. At 55 years old, I was diagnosed with multiple PE's and was on Eliquis for 7 months. Believed to be caused by my Lo Loestrin I had been taking. Although weight gain is not listed as a major side effect, my weight did go up considerably while on Eliquis. I experienced fatigue, extreme menstrual bleeding, and blood in my urine. Also, slight side effects of water retention and small needle-like pains in my legs. My Dr. is allowing me to finally get off it, so looking forward to seeing if these things improve."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 6, 2021

"Ever since I started taking this medication, I have been in more pain, and I never know from one day to the next what I'm going to feel like. What really scared me this morning was that it was hard to breathe. I get rashes, headaches, nausea, and anxiety. I'm so fatigued all the time and have more pain. I feel better when I first wake up before I start taking medication. I take 5 mg twice a day. I thought about just stopping and not taking anymore as I feel like it's going to be the end of me anyway! I've never been the same since I had my stroke!"

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 13, 2022

For Pulmonary Embolism "Had chest pain that was diagnosed as a pulmonary embolism. Put on apixaban double dose 2 x 10 daily for the first week. 2 x 5 mg thereafter. Been on it for 6 weeks now. My stomach has been dodgy for years after an ulcer, but Lanzoprazole keeps it calm and under control. Since taking apixaban, my stomach has flared up and regurgitating food, motions gone from solid to purée and liquefied. Had headaches and fatigue. GP putting me onto alternative and suggested Warfarin. Like everything, doesn’t suit everyone, unfortunately."

• BER...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 15, 2020

For Pulmonary Embolism "20 lb weight gain in 5 months, shortness of breath, tiredness, fatigue, muscle and joint pain."