Eliquis and Itching: What Users Say

• Lin...
• August 5, 2020

For Prevention of Thromboembolism in Atrial Fibrillation "Been on Eliquis for a little over a month after having one Afib attack. 2.5 mg twice a day. Hate it and hate the metoprolol I am also taking. Both have the exact same side effects so it's hard to tell which causes me problems. I had ringing in the ears before these meds, but the meds make it way worse. Aches all over. Kidneys hurt. Headaches most of the time. Itching. Starting to lose hair. Tingling in legs and feet. I think the metoprolol causes the frequent urination, but I think Eliquis does too. When you get a printout from the doctor or pharmacy, you only get a few of the side effects. I use the Drugs.com site to find out ALL side effects of any med. I have been told through the years by different doctors how well I do with pain. I felt so bad today I just cried. This stuff is poison. 68-year-old female with no other health problems, until I started taking this poison. Might look into natural treatment before this stuff gets awful. So sick."

• PRa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 4, 2019

For Pulmonary Embolism "I wound up with PE and DVT behind right knee. I was in the hospital for 72 hours and was prescribed Eliquis twice a day. I feel like I have lost me. I am in constant leg pain, my joints and lower back hurt so bad. After two weeks, my hair started falling out and I wound up with Edema. I had sudden weight gain with no diet change. I get dizzy and light-headed and fumble to speak at times. My body itches constantly. I just want off this drug!! I feel it is poisoning me and the shortness of breath and wheezing are scaring me. Please don't take this drug. I struggle every day to walk and fight through the pain."

• 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."

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 30, 2018

For Prevention of Thromboembolism in Atrial Fibrillation "My father was put on this drug by his doctor. 5 mg twice a day. The doctor said he had AFib, which was news to him. However, two or maybe three weeks after he started, he developed this crazy itching feeling all over his body, stabbing pains in his stomach, wheezing, and then it gave him some kind of an ulcer in the stomach where his stool was black. I took him to his doctor, and they found blood in the stool. Also, he was wheezing for a month, so I took him for an x-ray and they found he was in the beginning stages of pneumonia. Needless to say, his regular doctor told him to get off of Eliquis. My dad walks for an hour on the treadmill, and the past couple of weeks he noticed that his heart was starting to beat fast and he would get out of breath very easily, which has never happened before. Think twice before you start taking this drug."

• Hag...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 24, 2019

For Prevention of Thromboembolism in Atrial Fibrillation "Shortly after starting Eliquis, I became short of breath and developed red, itchy patches on my legs. Can hardly walk to the corner now. Feel unwell and lightheaded. Think I will look into getting off this horrible drug. Have no life anyway taking it. What else will this poison cause next. Calling FDA."

• 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."

• Gar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 3, 2020

For Deep Vein Thrombosis "Had leg pain, told my Primary Care Doctor. She had the hospital take an ultrasound and they admitted me to the hospital immediately. Said I had a DVT. On heparin while in the hospital, no side effects to mention. Started Eliquis as soon as I got home. Feel like I am dead. Weak, dizzy, can't stand, off balance, my body hurts all over like I was someone's punching bag. Wicked tremors, itchy skin feeling. Head feels like it's full of cotton, hard time concentrating. And this has only been for one week!"

• den...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 25, 2019

For Deep Vein Thrombosis "I was put on Eliquis (Apixaban) 2 years ago for DVT, initially, all was well, but now I get sores on my scalp, itching all over my body, and several dizzy spells a day that last only a second, but my whole body tingles for several minutes and severe ringing in my ears. I don't like it. I am seeing my Dr on the 7/11/19, need to change it as it has caused me to resign from my job due to the unpleasant side effects."

• IkH...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 19, 2020

For Prevention of Thromboembolism in Atrial Fibrillation "Started taking Eliquis for a superficial blood clot (which was treated as a DVT), and within the first two weeks, my mouth started itching and developed hives on my extremities. My doctor told me to take Benadryl, which helped. However, I would have rather been taken off the medication instead of being put on additional medications."

• Dan...
• March 7, 2017

For Prevention of Thromboembolism in Atrial Fibrillation "Possibly due to my flu/pneumonia, I had an episode of ventricular tachycardia followed by atrial fibrillation. I had an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) put in. I was put on beta blockers and antibiotics in the hospital and monitored for several days before going home with a prescription for Eliquis in addition to the other medications. The need for a blood thinner was debated because of very low risk factors. After the fourth dose of Eliquis on the second day of being released, I developed an itchy red rash over much of my face, neck, torso, arms, thighs, and genital area. The doctor advised me to stop taking Eliquis."

• Sha...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 5, 2017

For Thromboembolic Stroke Prophylaxis "I had a stroke (Lacunar Infarct left side of pons area) and was placed on Eliquis 5 mg twice per day. I began itching head to toe since April 2017. I looked up the side effects tonight and found this site. I am stopping this medication starting tonight! I can’t wait to stop itching! My skin feels like sandpaper. I feel like I have been wearing a wool body suit. Inside my ear canals are itching. I thought my stroke brought on cataracts-no, this drug did. I am also suffering from insomnia and what do you know, it’s from this drug. Restless leg syndrome, confusion, I can go on and on. I’m stopping this drug now and will let my doc know. I do thank Eliquis for giving me the coupon to purchase this drug for $10.00/mo. But so sorry it is not for me."

• Arc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 16, 2018

For Deep Vein Thrombosis "Following knee surgery, I developed a blood clot. The doctor originally put me on Xarelto, and that was a disaster. The doctor had to take me off of it after 3 weeks, and we switched to Eliquis. Almost immediately after beginning to take Eliquis, I started to have random itching sensations all over my body. At first, I didn’t think anything of it, but after 4 weeks on it, I started to have uncontrollable itching late at night and extreme swelling in my hands and feet due to the scratching. I would also develop hives and what looked like diaper rash all over my body. Luckily, between the two drugs, the clot is gone, and I am back on aspirin. I have only been off of Eliquis for 5 days, and some of the rash and itching have gotten better but not yet gone. I think some of the interactions seemed to be related to what I would eat."

• Rob...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 17, 2023

For Pulmonary Embolism "After months of persistent coughing, I suddenly found myself struggling to breathe one day and collapsed outside. Emergency medical technicians discovered me on the ground and transported me to two different hospitals where I underwent numerous diagnostic tests. It was determined that I had 'massive saddle' pulmonary emboli and deep vein thromboses. I underwent a procedure where medical professionals physically removed the clots while I was conscious. Although the procedure was supposed to take about 30 minutes, it ended up taking three hours due to the size and age of some of the clots. The medical staff worked tirelessly to keep me alive, and I am extremely grateful for their efforts. After spending two days in the ICU, I was discharged from the hospital with a prescription for Eliquis, a blood thinner. I was instructed to take 10 mg of Eliquis twice daily for six days before reducing my dosage to 5 mg twice daily. However, before I was able to decrease my dosage, I experienced extreme itching. To alleviate the itching, I tried using baking soda-infused cold washcloths, nettle tea, and vitamin C. Fortunately, the itching has subsided since I began taking the lower dosage of Eliquis. I will continue taking Eliquis for the next six months as prescribed, and then I plan to switch to Nattokinase, an over-the-counter natural supplement that has been proven to dissolve clots without any side effects. I am not taking any other medications at this time. I feel incredibly grateful for the medical professionals who saved my life and for the blessings I have received."

• Fra...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 3, 2017

For Prevention of Thromboembolism in Atrial Fibrillation "After two weeks, itching over most of my body. Switched from warfarin, recommended by cardiologist. Exploring Watchman implant in light of TIA. Procedure very expensive, and insurance won't pay unless all other options are followed. Will this side effect continue?"

• 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."

• Hia...
• December 24, 2019

For Deep Vein Thrombosis Prophylaxis after Knee Replacement Surgery "On Eliquis and got internal bleeding after revision hip surgery. Other side effects are weakness, pains all over, itchiness, nausea."