This page is for patients taking Edoxaban. Thank you for taking the time to read this page. We want to have a telephone conversation with you in the near future about changing from this medication and it would be helpful if you have read this information in preparation for that call.
Why are we asking for your assistance?
It will come as no surprise to you to learn that NHS resources are squeezed tighter than ever and we, like everyone that works within the NHS must do everything we can to get the best value for the NHS possible.
One of the medications that you take on a daily basis is called Edoxaban. This drug would have been given to you because you have Atrial Fibrillation and it helps reduce your risk of stroke. Apixaban which is a very similar medication has recently seen a significant cost reduction.
Non-urgent advice: Edoxaban cost per month
Non-urgent advice: Apixaban cost per month
But it has not been that long since I changed to this…
When Edoxaban was introduced a few years ago it represented the best value for the NHS at the time. This is no longer the case, and alternative preparations could represent as much as a 90% cost saving.
What does this mean in real terms?
To put this into context for you, it could mean saving as much as £6.5 MILLION across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight alone.
That’s funding that could be redeployed across YOUR part of the country to help to fund essential medical care, treatment and support.
How would I change?
The switch is easy.
The preferred option is for you to switch to Apixaban. The main difference with this medication being that it is taken twice a day, approximately 12 hours apart. It DOES NOT need to be taken with food and is easy to fit around your routine.
You would switch by simply finishing your last Edoxaban tablet on your chosen day (you’d be fine to complete any remaining stocks you had at home to avoid wastage) and then starting the new medication the following day.
The second, less preferred option is a medication called Rivaroxaban. This is a once daily tablet but requires more rigid timing as it absolutely MUST be taken with a full meal. Not doing so would seriously compromise how much of the medication is available for your body to use and could lead to treatment failure. Apixaban has also been shown to have a lower risk of major bleeding side effects and this is why switching to the twice a day Apixaban is the preferred option.
If you have swallowing issues, and are used to crushing your Edoxaban, you can still do this with the new medications and mix them with a little water or apple sauce.
How do I let you know if I am happy to switch?
There’s a simple form for you to complete at the base of this page. One of the practice’s GPs or Pharmacists will then be in touch with you for a discussion on the phone. We hope for this to be relatively a quick process and it shouldn’t take too long to get to you once you have submitted the form.
What if I have further questions?
After submitting the form a doctor or prescribing pharmacist will phone you and they can answer your questions. If you still have further questions after this call then you can get in touch with our medicines team at the practice using the Klinik form on our website, or via our friendly reception team on the phone.
I’d like to read up on the medicine options beforehand…
The links to each patient leaflet are here:
What if I’m not happy to switch?
We hope we’ve given you reassurance here that the switch really is easy, and you’d be happy to help with our efforts to support your local NHS, but if you are absolutely against the change, you can let us know using the form.