I've been on Eliquis for almost 2 years. As far as dental, I have had regular cleanings and a crown replacement and everything was fine. My dentist said that only for major procedures like a tooth removal would I need to go off Eliquis for a day to two. I had a colonoscopy this summer and was required to go off the drug for two days prior to the procedure (my EP approved) and, because a polyp had to be removed, one day after. Everything turned out ok.

I have had no experience with car accidents (knock on wood!!) but I continually get scrapes and cuts in my community garden since I usually forget to wear gloves and haven't noticed any unusual bleeding.

Hope this helps.

At first I was nervous when I started to take Pradaxa. But over the past 4 yrs. I have had several tooth extractions. One, the Epinephrine put me into a month of afib. I do not take Epinephrine anymore. One extraction came up quickly and I forgot to stop taking Pradaxa.... I just held the compress longer and was fine. I have fallen a lot....skinned knees and once hit my head hard. I've had a colonoscopy. I have had to be off of it for 5 straight days and I have had many cuts on my hands. Through all of that, I have been fine. I

I think you will be fine too as time passes and you get used to it.

I have a question about anticoagulants: if one is not taking them prior to a procedure of some kind, and afib happens, would you resume the anticoagulant and reschedule the procedure?

I've been on Xarelto for about 3 years, and I haven't experienced problems with "normal life." There is a product called Celox which "stops bleeding fast." I have some packets of it in my purse, car and at home - just in case.

I've been on Eliquis since 2/15. The only *problems I've experienced are a little bit of a prolonged bleeding when I got a cortisone shot in my knee and some really pretty bruises. I know I need to call my cardiologist about directions for a colonoscopy, but who doesn't put that off? :)

I was on Xarelto for a while. A muscle cramp caused hemorrhage that was quite serious as there was no antidote. Now I am on Warfarin and test my blood weekly. I would be wary of bleed stoppers, you could end up with a stroke. Your doctors can advise you about stopping or continuing anti-coagulants. Blood test before any procedure will show if there is risk. Good luck, Marya

Celox is safe to stop wound bleeding. The subject of stopping ACs for procedures is complicated. For example, Coumadin has a rebound effect. You have to taper down or you could have a stroke up to I think 60 days after cessation. That is not true with the NOACS...at least the trials say that. Pradaxa has a reversal agent now, so maybe they will be more lenient with continuation of Pradaxa for certain procedures. NOACs like Pradaxa take effect faster than Coumadin, particularly the twice a day dosed NOACs.

If you are bleeding to death, although reversal agents raise your stroke risk, more risk is acceptable. A day off an anticoagulant, barring a rebound effect, is very low as stroke risk is an annual percent and one day is 1/365th of a year.

Sautee asked..I have a question about anticoagulants: if one is not taking them prior to a procedure of some kind, and afib happens, would you resume the anticoagulant and reschedule the procedure?

When I was scheduled for my Colonoscopy, Both Cardio and Gastroenterologist told me that if I went into afib the procedure would be canceled. If I went into afib during the procedure I would be sent to ER. I would take my Pradaxa when I got home. The Colonoscopy would be rescheduled.

I am pretty sure I went into afib while I was having a tooth extracted. I was in it when I got home. I bleed alot, and could not start taking Pradaxa until I had completely stopped bleeding....which was 5 days after I stopped taking it (30 hrs after extraction). I was in afib for those 30 hrs. and the following week.

Yogacat, your experience with that tooth extraction sounds like quite an ordeal! Glad you came out of it ok. I admit I would have been tempted to head over to the emergency room.