Pulmonary Embolism Support Group

By far the most common form of pulmonary embolism is a thromboembolism, which occurs when a blood clot, generally a venous thrombus, becomes dislodged from its site of formation and embolizes to the arterial blood supply of one of the lungs. Symptoms may include difficulty breathing, pain during breathing, and more rarely circulatory instability and death.

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corvid100 01/11/2015

I don't know how many of you here have access to Medscape, but here's a link to an article about the progress being made in creating a reversal agent for it.
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/837871?src=wnl_edit_tpal&uac=36152PK

Here's the name of the article in case the link doesn't work. Antidote Reverses Anticoagulation Activity of Rivaroxaban: ANNEXA-R

There's still more studies to be completed, but for those of you on Xarelto, it's promising news.

I'm a coumadin lifer, but at some point I'd consider switching to
xarelto once there's a reversal agent commonly available.

gramby40 01/11/2015

Thanks I have been on Xarelto for months and as I am getting back to being more active this is my fear.

Ferr 01/12/2015

Yea won't let me in the site as i am not a password weilding member LOL

cave76 01/12/2015

By copy-pasting what the OP gave us and slotting it into Google there are many other ways to read that article (or ones that are almost the same.)

Joining Medscape.com, though, is free to join.

Basically, it's not here yet but special dispensation has been given so the studies can be fast-tracked.

RetiredNavy02 01/13/2015

Here is some brief information from Clot Connect. There are two reversal agents which target Xarelto along with Pradaxa and the newly approved anti-coagulant Savaysa:

http://patientblog.clotconnect.org/2014/11/07/major-bleeding-on-the-new-oral-blood-thinners-update-on-reversal-drugs/

gramby40, Xarelto's bleeding risks have been shown to be equal to or less than those who are on Coumadin/Warfarin. I had been on Coumadin for about 20 years (switched to Xarelto in 2012), from my own experience (I Mountain Bike) the bleeding resulting from cuts is no worse then when I was on Coumadin and the ability to control the bleeding is about the same. Whenever I bike I always bring bandages "just in case". I did also carry the QuikClot Sponge should I ever need it.

There is still a lot to learn about any of the new oral anticoagulants (a fourth one was recently approved (Savaysa - Edoxaban). The reversal agents issue has been something undergoing trials for a couple of years now, I had originally predicted that by end of 2014/beginning of 2015 one would make FDA approval but so far, that has not happened. The ability to control the bleeding in lieu of not having a reversal agent in the ER setting has definitely made advances and for the most half, has been a success.

When these new drugs start to shift from the one-size fits all dosing to individualized dosing it may cause new issues down the line.

R/
Tom

Thatch 01/14/2015

Thanks for the info. It is a relief to know they are right around the corner.

Ferr 01/15/2015

Thanks Navy for the info. I've been on Xarelto since May of 2014 and haven't had any issues with it or bleeding problems. With the exception of the millions of commercials about suing the drug Mfg for bleeding issues because Xarelto is an anticoagulant and may cause bleeding. Oh and by the way anyone on Xarelto if your insurance co-pay is to expensive which mine was. Call the company and they will give you a card that makes your co-pay $5.00 after your insurance covers their share. That's a big savings down from $72.00 per month. They originally give it to you for 1 year but i just had mine extended for another year. Will be watching these studies closely as many of us waited for quite some time for Xarelto to be put on the market for clotting issues and not just for stroke or heart patients. Navy glad your biking so much, I've been trying to get my life back too but Hubby won't buy me a bike. Think he's afraid I'll ride it off our mountain since the vision in my right side is gone, and of course riding down our mountain is steep, windy and a pretty steep drop off on the right side. HaHaHa I don't drive either which is probably a good thing.

hbdunc 01/22/2015

Thanks for everyone's comments. I'll be starting Xarelto in a couple of weeks when my Pradaxa runs out. The only problem I had with Pradaxa was insurance.

I started taking Pradaxa soon after the FDA approved it for a-fib patients and was not aware of clotting aids (i had no bleeding problems with Pradaxa). Any product recommendations should I have more of an issues with Xarelto.

BTW I was really paranoid when started taking Pradaxa but it got to be really routine.

Tian71 03/12/2015

I just visited my pulmonary Doctor and he told my that a study for a reversal agent had been completed overseas with good results but that it would take a few years to get it approved and on the market in the states. I will probably try something else once that happens as all my Docs want me to try a new med other than Coumadin...but at least with it I know I can check my numbers and vitamin K will do the trick if needed. Waiting patiently... or not so much... for it to hit the states!

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