If Warfarin works for you, stay with it. Eliquis is a better choice to me because it is easier to use. I'm taking Pradaxa.

Hi Ray,
I take a vitamin K antagonist (like Warfarin) and am in range (INR between 2 3) 97% of the time.

As far as I know all the studies that compare NOACs to Warfarin use an in time range of 60% or less (no wonder they come out looking better!!). If you are in range a good % of the time and arent bothered by getting your INR checked Id say stay with Warfarin. It has an added advantage: if you should have an accident the doctors are more likely to have more experience as to how to stop the bleeding (Warfarin has been around a long time and is well understood).

If it aint broke, dont fix it.

Carpe diem,
atp

You have come a Long way Ray!!!! So Glad you are doing Well!!!!

thank you for your comments and es yoga cat i have finnaly come to understanding that this is the fact and i have to fac eit head on. thank you again for all your help and guidence .I should also add Mr Pacyetep to that list for his great articles.

regards
ray

Hi Ray,

I agree with the comments made so far but would like to add a consideration.

I went to Eliquis because I was travelling. I discovered really quick that getting a blood test to check my INR is not always easy when away from home. I was in the Phoenix area to visit family around a holiday and all of the clinics that were recommended were either closed or booked. I eventually found one but it was a hassle.

I was planning a trip to hike the Inca trail in Peru. No clinics on the trail and I didn't know what kind of food would be available. So I switched. Eliquis was a lot easier than Warfarin would have been.

Every option has it's positives and negatives. With travel, a NOAC sounded much better to me.

Todd

I have been on Warfarin for 2 1-2 years after a misfortune with Xarelto ( muscle cramp developed into serious hematoma that needed hospitalization and blood transfusion). I have stayed in the range mostly except when I had too much arugula from the garden. I test my INR at home weekly, just a pinprick at tip of finger and a blood drop on a test strip. A monitor gives result in a minute and I call a lab on west coast. They inform my doctor here in CT. The test kit is small, fits in any backpack. Marya

I finally found the TTR (time in therapeutic range) for the different trials!
RE-LY was 64%
ROCKET AF was 55%
ARISTOTLE was 62%
ENGAGE AF was 65%
So if your TTR is that or lower than the NOACs are probably a good choice.

(I found the table in the American Journal of Cardiovascular Drugs / Medscape:
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/853388 in table 3 of the article Non-vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants: New Choices for Patient Management in Atrial Fibrillation)

carpe diem,
atp

OOPS, it should read:
So, if your TTR is that or lower, then the NOACs are probably a good choice.

I was put on Eliquis right off due to aneurysm's being in the family history an Dr. Thinking it was a better choice. I have had no issues, even had a mole removed with minimal bleeding.

Price is another question due to medicare, but doable with some tweaks of other meds.

laurab

As far as price, I believe some people can make use of manufacturer's discount deal on Eliquis website. I'm using it now, but there might be some restrictions.