NHS Guidelines now recommend apixaban to treat Atrial Fibrillation

As of January 2024, NHS guidance has changed and generic apixaban (blood thinners) are now recommended for treating Atrial Fibrillation. Dr Malik explains more.

Need to knows

• New guidance was released January 2024
• Apixaban (blood thinners) are no longer patented and no longer exclusive
• NHS guidelines now recommend apixaban
• Apixaban will be much easier to access through the NHS
• This will lead to improved health outcomes for patients with Atrial Fibrillation (AF)

Apixaban reduces your risk of stroke

If you’ve been diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation (AF), you’ve got a higher risk of stroke than the general population. Fortunately, blood thinners reduce this risk. Thanks to new guidance, the NHS is now able to recommend and supply the best value generic apixaban to anyone who needs it (whether the AF is undiagnosed or untreated).

Which blood thinner is best?

Apixaban is a generic term and doesn’t refer to a specific name of medication. Your prescribing clinician will use the NICE guidance to determine which blood thinner is best for your condition and individual circumstances.

Here’s the recommendations, in order of best value:

1. Generic apixaban
2. Edoxaban (Lixiana®)
3. Rivaroxaban (Xarelto®)
4. Dabigatran (Pradaxa®)
5. Eliquis® (branded apixaban)

Any of these blood thinners (DOACs) are fine to use – you don’t need to change from one to another. However, your GP or pharmacy might suggest switching to apixaban as a cost-saving to the NHS, whilst still being just as effective.

What if I can’t take DOACs?

If you can’t tolerate blood thinners, vitamin K antagonists (such as Warfarin) will be recommended as an alternative.

 Book your consultation with Dr Malik

If you’ve got untreated or undiagnosed Atrial Fibrillation, let Dr Malik help you get the quality of your life back. He’s got decades of experience treating heart conditions and takes a personalised approach that makes you feel taken care of every step of the way.

 

 

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See the full guidance at:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/commissioning-recommendations-for-national-procurement-for-doacs/