Eliquis and Bruising: What Users Say

• NZn...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 17, 2020

For Prevention of Thromboembolism in Atrial Fibrillation "My husband has been on Eliquis 5mg twice a day for several months after being on Plavix after a coronary stent in Dec 2019. The cardiologist insisted since he has had atrial fib whenever he has a health crisis. So, on the Plavix, he had some nasty bruising whenever he had blood drawn. Now on the Eliquis, he has swelling in his hands and arms. Worse is the swelling of face around the mouth and lips. He also loses his voice from pharyngeal swelling. His breathing is fine. It usually settles down after a few hours, but last time it took longer. We cut the Eliquis in half and reduced the dose, but he has had the same reaction again. It happens after taking it in the evening and swelling comes up overnight. Changing back to aspirin to see if the Eliquis is the problem. He is also on Toprol or Metoprolol, which he has also cut back on to 50mg once a day. His BP and pulse are fine. He is 74 years old and almost completely incapacitated by these drugs. Not sleeping and loss of appetite also."

• 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."

• Jha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 18, 2016

For Prevention of Thromboembolism in Atrial Fibrillation "Cardiologist put me on Eliquis for A flutter about 4 months ago. Have no symptoms or problems with A flutter. If they didn't tell me I had it, I wouldn't know I had it. At first, I felt tired and had no energy. They said that could be due to A flutter. That has gotten better. I'm 70, so it could be just my age slowing me down. I go to the gym, work with a personal trainer, and he says for my age, I am in excellent shape. I play softball. I have no side effects of Eliquis so far. Maybe I bruise easier than before, but it goes away. Minor cuts don't seem to bleed any more than when I was on low-dose aspirin. I still want to get off of it, so I am going to a cardiologist to see if he can cure the flutter."

• Rev...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 3, 2021

For Prevention of Thromboembolism in Atrial Fibrillation "I've been on Eliquis for more than 5 years [5 mg twice a day]. Worst medication devised by mankind! From bruises to discolored skin, and painful skin to the touch. If anyone, including myself, touches my skin, it causes me pain. My cardiologist says the benefits outweigh the side effects. Maybe he'll end up on it someday, and then if I'm still alive, he can get in touch with me with his experiences."

• Ken...
• May 30, 2016

For Prevention of Thromboembolism in Atrial Fibrillation "I have been on Eliquis for 18 months for atrial fib. I have not experienced any side effects other than I bruise more easily than before. I had a cryogenic heart ablation performed 8 months ago, followed up with heart monitoring for 2 weeks. My surgeon has released me to go off all heart medications as of today (sotolol, Eliquis)."

• Don...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 22, 2019

For Pulmonary Embolism "I had a pulmonary embolism, shortness of breath and all that, traced to a clot in my left leg. Eliquis was prescribed immediately and fairly quickly stopped new clots from forming. The existing clot that was throwing off small clots disappeared over a few months. I had no side effects other than it somehow seemed easy to bruise the back of my right hand, but those would go away within a week. I discontinued the Eliquis. Then, about a year and a half later, I had right leg swelling, which turned out to be a vein problem and a blood clot again. Back on Eliquis and that has now resolved. I'm staying on Eliquis for the foreseeable future. That's fine with me as I see no side effects other than the bruising."

• Esq...
• March 19, 2020

For Pulmonary Embolism "I had a blood clot in my leg (DVT) which caused a clot to go to my right lung (PE). Started taking the drug Eliquis at the hospital. My first prescription was filled at Walmart for $78.00 with insurance. CVS charged me $40.00 for my second prescription with insurance. I called Eliquis and did qualify for a $10.00 copay card. Yea! I've experienced nosebleeds after blowing my nose. I've had dizzy spells that feel like very low blood pressure or feel like passing out after standing. Sometimes I'm okay, but after about 20 steps, it hits me hard. I've had rashes on my hip and pectoral region of my chest. I've had to itch my arm and ended up causing a bruise. Be careful and scratch lightly. Please quit smoking if any way possible."

• Mon...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 2, 2020

For Thromboembolic Stroke Prophylaxis "I am on Eliquis for stroke prevention, having had two separate strokes of unknown cause in my thirties. I've been on Eliquis for over three years and have had no issues with it! I bruise much more easily, yes, and I bleed more heavily when injured or during my period, but otherwise, there's been no negatives to it. I do find I can't tolerate alcohol or caffeine, their effects seem to be greatly magnified since being on the drug, but these are small concessions to make for myself!"

• BGa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 27, 2021

For Deep Vein Thrombosis "Absolutely despise this expensive drug with so many side effects. I experienced frequent urination (almost hourly at night), itchy red rashes on my forearm and upper arm, gas, easy bruising, and the onset of a mild headache for someone like me who NEVER got headaches. I was prescribed it for a lower leg DVT, initially 2-5 mg tablets twice a day for a week, then 1-5 mg tablet twice a day. After 6 weeks, I began a gradual tapering off (AMA, of course, against medical advice). My plan of action was to increase my daily water intake by 400% (used to just drink maybe 8 ounces, plus tea, juice, fruits, and veggies, which do count for water intake), reduce oily, fatty processed foods, and add additional speed walks throughout the day and early evening as my exercise regimen. I believe these changes will prevent any new blood clots. All side effects went away within 36 hours of stopping the medication."

• Mjz...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 2, 2024

For Prevention of Thromboembolism in Atrial Fibrillation "Not sure actually that it worked except for nosebleeds and bruises, along with 10 minutes to stop any small cut from bleeding. It was prescribed because I had Afib with PVCs and benign premature ventricular contractions. Needed to take it because Afib was controlled by medication. After 8 years, I had an ablation, and now, 4 years later, still in sinus rhythm. I think it’s affecting my joints, weakening my muscles and skin negatively. I think I should stop taking it and have an Eliquis vacation to see if it is the cause of cramps, aches, and pains. 14 years I’ve been taking it. Never stopped Eliquis, but I stopped everything else to see if it was the cause."

• Dee...
• July 16, 2019

For Deep Vein Thrombosis "I have had no real issues. The only thing I experience is easy bruising, sores, and sores on my head/scalp. I had an issue getting covered by insurance, but after fighting with the company, it was covered."

• ple...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 4, 2017

For Prevention of Thromboembolism in Atrial Fibrillation "I started on Eliquis for 2 weeks. I did have some side effects, like bleeding easily when hit, bruising, then I stopped. The doctor said if I didn't take it, I was subject to a stroke. He convinced me. I had been off of it for about a month because I just stopped it. Well, I'm now back on it and have no side effects at all. Go figure."

• B i...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 29, 2016

For Prevention of Thromboembolism in Atrial Fibrillation "This med immediately caused me to have out of control nosebleeds and bruising. This med is deadly, don't take it!"

• Bot...
• April 5, 2017

For Pulmonary Embolism "Very expensive, leaves large bruises on my skin from small bumps, I also had pretty thick hair, loss of hair since starting Eliquis."

• Gre...
• October 10, 2017

For Prevention of Thromboembolism in Atrial Fibrillation "I have had no problems with this drug and have experienced a lot less bruising since on this drug, as opposed to taking warfarin."

• RMC...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 22, 2021

For Prevention of Thromboembolism in Atrial Fibrillation "Supposed to be the better blood thinner. I think warfarin is way better. The bruising and potential lethal side effects are incredible versus warfarin."

• atr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 4, 2023

"It did the job, but I got off of it after a 90-day course. It made my elbows and knees bruise easily, which was painful. It also made me feel weak."

• Ann...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 18, 2024

"Made me feel funny. Headaches the third week. Not sure how it 'worked', I had a lot of bruises, but did not get a blood clot in my leg post-surgery."