Is edoxaban better than warfarin for preventing stroke?

This study investigated if edoxaban is better than warfarin for preventing stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation and blood clots. 

Atrial fibrillation is an irregular heart beat condition that can cause blood to pool and clot. If a blood clot forms it can be pumped to the brain, blocking off the blood supply and resulting in a stroke. Treatment for atrial fibrillation includes the use of anticoagulants, such as warfarin (Coumadin) and heparin (Porcin), that prevent blood clot formation. Edoxaban (Savaysa) is a new oral anticoagulant drug that has recently been FDA approved for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation.

This study carried out a review of past trials to evaluate the most effective dose of edoxaban and compare it with other available anticoagulants like warfarin. 

One study found that low dose and high dose edoxaban (at 30mg or 60mg daily) had similar benefits to dose-adjusted warfarin (warfarin dose needs to be adjusted according to regular blood tests) for the prevention of stroke and blood clots in patients with atrial fibrillation. Both edoxaban doses were found to significantly reduce the risk of hemorrhagic stroke (stroke caused by burst blood vessel), cardiovascular mortality (heart-related cause of death), and internal bleeding (a side effect if too much anticoagulant drug is taken). 

Another study involving patients with blood clots found that initial injection with heparin followed by either 3-12 months of edoxaban 60mg once daily or warfarin provided similar benefits for the prevention of recurrent blood clots. However, edoxaban had a significantly lower risk of bleeding events compared to warfarin. 

Edoxaban has similar beneficial effects to warfarin in preventing stroke among patients with atrial fibrillation and blood clots. Edoxaban may have some advantages over warfarin in that it has a better bleeding profile (side effect) and does not require regular blood tests and dose adjustments. 

Edoxaban is a newly FDA approved drug but like all newly approved drugs caution and surveillance must be advised as side effects that are not evident among small populations may appear when it is used globally. 

If you or someone you know have atrial fibrillation or suffer from blood clots talk to a doctor about the possibility of receiving edoxaban if it is available or becomes available where you live.