Key takeaways:
Eliquis (apixaban) is a prescription medication that treats and prevents certain blood clots.
The typical Eliquis dosage in adults is 2.5 mg to 5 mg by mouth twice daily. Your dosage and length of treatment can vary depending on your health condition or situation.
There are ways to save on Eliquis. If you’re eligible, a manufacturer savings card can help you access Eliquis for as little as $10 per month. A patient assistance program is also available.
Save on related medications
Eliquis (apixaban) is a popular direct-acting oral anticoagulant medication. It’s a brand-name medication that’s used to treat and prevent blood clots.
Eliquis comes in 2.5 mg and 5 mg tablets. It’s also available as a 0.15 mg sprinkle capsule and a 0.5 mg packet for oral suspension (liquid). These two formulations are generally meant for children.
Here, we’ll cover the typical Eliquis dosages for adults. But you should always take the dosage recommended by your prescriber, even if it’s different from what’s described below.
Note: This article focuses on adult Eliquis dosages. It’s also FDA approved for infants and children from birth onward — but only after they’ve received at least 5 days of another blood thinner. Your child’s healthcare team will determine the best Eliquis dosage for them based on their body weight.
What’s the typical Eliquis dosage for adults?
The typical Eliquis dosage for adults ranges from 2.5 mg to 10 mg twice daily, depending on the condition you’re treating.
You can take Eliquis with or without food. And if you have trouble swallowing pills, you can crush Eliquis tablets and mix them with water, apple juice, or applesauce before taking them. You can also crush Eliquis tablets and mix them in 60 mL (2 oz) of water to administer them through a nasogastric tube.
Let’s break down the recommended Eliquis dosages by condition.
Atrial fibrillation
The typical Eliquis dosage for adults living with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (a type of irregular heartbeat) is 5 mg by mouth twice daily.
You may need a lower Eliquis dosage (2.5 mg twice daily) if two of the following apply to you:
An age of 80 or older
A body weight of 132 lbs (60 kg) or less
Kidney problems
To treat or prevent blood clots in a vein or your lungs (DVT and PE)
Deep vein thrombosis, or DVT, is a blood clot in a vein — usually in the lower leg or thigh. A pulmonary embolism, or PE, is a blood clot in your lung. Eliquis can treat and prevent DVT and PE. But the dosages can vary:
To treat DVT and PE, the recommended Eliquis dosage is 10 mg twice daily for 7 days, followed by 5 mg twice daily for at least 6 months.
To reduce the risk of another DVT or PE, the recommended Eliquis dosage is 2.5 mg twice daily after at least 6 months of treatment at the above dosage.
To prevent blood clots after knee or hip replacement surgery
The recommended Eliquis dosage to prevent blood clots after knee or hip replacement surgery is 2.5 mg twice daily.
Your first dose should be within 12 to 24 hours after the surgery is complete. You’ll take Eliquis for 12 days after a knee replacement and for 35 days after a hip replacement in most cases.
Are there any dosage adjustments for medical conditions?
Yes, certain people may need a lower Eliquis dosage based on their age, other health conditions they have, and other medications they take.
Eliquis dosage for older adults
If you are age 80 or older and weigh 132 lbs or less or living with kidney problems, a healthcare professional may recommend a lower Eliquis dose. This will help reduce your bleeding risk if you’re living with atrial fibrillation.
A likely Eliquis dosage for older adults in this case is 2.5 mg twice daily. But your prescriber will make the final call on your dosage.
Eliquis dosage for people with kidney problems
If you’re living with kidney problems and are also age 80 or older or weigh 132 lbs or less, you may need a lower Eliquis dosage. This applies only when using Eliquis to prevent clots related to atrial fibrillation. Dosage adjustments aren’t recommended for other conditions, regardless of how mild or severe your kidney problems are.
Eliquis dosage for people with liver problems
There are no Eliquis dosage adjustments recommended for people living with mild liver problems. But there’s limited data about Eliquis dosages for people living with moderate liver problems. In this case, your prescriber will determine the best dosage for you. Eliquis isn’t recommended for those living with severe liver problems.
Eliquis dosage for drug interactions
Eliquis has many drug interactions. Some interactions may raise Eliquis levels in your body. This can increase your bleeding risk. So it’s recommended to reduce your Eliquis dosage by 50% if you’re taking it with medications such as:
Oral ketoconazole
Itraconazole (Sporanox)
Ritonavir (Norvir)
Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir)
Keep in mind, this adjustment applies only to those taking the 5 mg or 10 mg twice-daily dosage. If you’re taking Eliquis 2.5 mg twice daily, it’s best to avoid these interacting medications altogether.
Other medications may also interact with Eliquis and require a dosage adjustment. Make sure to give your healthcare team a list of medications and supplements you take before starting Eliquis. They can check to see if you’re at risk for any Eliquis interactions.
What happens if you miss a dose of Eliquis?
If you forget to take your Eliquis dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. But if it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual scheduled time. Don’t double up on doses to make up for one you missed — this could increase the risk of bleeding.
What should you do if you take too much Eliquis?
If you take an extra dose of Eliquis by mistake, you may raise your risk of side effects, such as minor bleeding or bruising. But more serious bleeding is also possible — especially if you take a large amount of Eliquis.
Signs and symptoms of serious bleeding include:
Severe bruising
Blood in the urine
Blood in the stool (may appear as black, tarry stool)
Vomiting blood (may look like coffee grounds)
It can take time for serious bleeding to occur after taking too much Eliquis. So it’s important to seek emergency care or contact Poison Control online or at 1-800-222-1222 right away if you or a loved one takes too much Eliquis. Don’t wait for symptoms to appear to seek help.
How to save on Eliquis
There are ways to save on Eliquis, which is available as a brand-name medication. GoodRx can help you navigate between copay savings cards and patient assistance programs to save money on your prescription.
Save with a copay savings card: If you have commercial insurance, you may be eligible to pay as little as $10 per month for Eliquis using a savings card from the manufacturer. A 30-day free trial is also available for those who qualify.
Save with direct pharmacy options: If you don’t have insurance and are paying cash for Eliquis, you may be able to pay $346 for a 30-day supply through the manufacturer’s direct-to-consumer home-delivery program.
Save with patient assistance programs: If you’re uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible for Eliquis’ patient assistance program, which offers the medication for free.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can split Eliquis tablets in half. Some people do this to adjust their dose or save on cost. But you should do this only with your healthcare team’s OK.
Crushing the tablets is another option if you have trouble swallowing pills. You can crush Eliquis and mix it with water, apple juice, or applesauce. Just be sure to take the full mixture right away; don’t prepare it in advance or try to store it for later.
You’ll typically take Eliquis twice a day — once in the morning and once in the evening. It’s best to space your doses about 12 hours apart. This schedule helps keep a steady amount of the medication in your body. If you occasionally need to take your doses closer together because you’re having a busy day, it shouldn’t be a huge deal. But don’t make it a habit. If you have trouble sticking to the 12-hour schedule, ask your prescriber about other possible options.
Yes, you can split Eliquis tablets in half. Some people do this to adjust their dose or save on cost. But you should do this only with your healthcare team’s OK.
Crushing the tablets is another option if you have trouble swallowing pills. You can crush Eliquis and mix it with water, apple juice, or applesauce. Just be sure to take the full mixture right away; don’t prepare it in advance or try to store it for later.
You’ll typically take Eliquis twice a day — once in the morning and once in the evening. It’s best to space your doses about 12 hours apart. This schedule helps keep a steady amount of the medication in your body. If you occasionally need to take your doses closer together because you’re having a busy day, it shouldn’t be a huge deal. But don’t make it a habit. If you have trouble sticking to the 12-hour schedule, ask your prescriber about other possible options.
The bottom line
The typical Eliquis (apixaban) dosage for adults is 2.5 mg to 5 mg twice daily. You may need a higher Eliquis dosage if you’re treating an existing blood clot in your vein (DVT) or lung (PE).
You may need a lower Eliquis dosage based on your age, body weight, and other health conditions. Drug interactions can also affect your Eliquis dosage. Be sure to review your medication list and health history with your prescriber before starting Eliquis.
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References
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Estrada, E. (2023). What is Eliquis (apixaban)? Uses, risks, and safety info. Poison Control.
Institute for Safe Medication Practices. (2018). Read this important information before taking: Eliquis (apixaban).
MedlinePlus. (2025). Apixaban. National Library of Medicine.
Poison Control. (n.d.). Get poison control help now. National Capital Poison Center.
Song, Y., et al. (2016). Evaluation of crushed tablet for oral administration and the effect of food on apixaban pharmacokinetics in healthy adults. Clinical Therapeutics.
