What is Eliquis Used for? All About Apixaban’s Mechanism of Action
Key takeaways:
Eliquis is a direct-acting oral anticoagulant medication. It helps prevent blood clots caused by an irregular heartbeat or certain surgeries.
Eliquis also treats existing blood clots in the legs (deep vein thrombosis) and lungs (pulmonary embolism) and prevents them from happening again.
Eliquis works by blocking a protein called Factor Xa, which plays a key role in the blood clotting process. You’ll take Eliquis twice a day.
There are ways to save on Eliquis. If you’re eligible, a manufacturer savings card can help you get Eliquis for as little as $10 per month. A patient assistance program is also available.
Table of contents
Eliquis (apixaban) is a medication that helps protect you from dangerous blood clots. But how does it actually work inside your body? And what is Eliquis used for?
Here, we’ll break down Eliquis’ mechanism of action in simple terms. You’ll learn what Eliquis does, when it’s prescribed, and how it helps protect your health.
What is Eliquis used for?
Eliquis is a medication that helps prevent blood clots. When it comes to what Eliquis is used for, it’s FDA approved to:
Prevent strokes in people with a type of irregular heartbeat called atrial fibrillation.
Prevent blood clots in the legs (deep vein thrombosis, DVT) and lungs (pulmonary embolism, PE) from happening after hip or knee replacement surgeries.
Treat existing DVT or PE and lower the chance of these clots coming back.
Let’s take a closer look at exactly how Eliquis works to keep your blood flowing smoothly.
How does Eliquis work to prevent blood clots?
Eliquis belongs to a group of blood thinners called direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs). It works by blocking a protein in your blood called Factor Xa. This protein plays a big role in the steps your body takes to form blood clots, known as the clotting cascade.
By stopping Factor Xa from working, Eliquis makes it harder for blood clots to form. It also prevents existing blood clots from getting bigger and causing more serious problems.
How long does Eliquis last in your body?
The half-life of Eliquis is about 12 hours for most people. This is how long it takes for half of the medication to leave your body after a single dose. But it can take up to 60 hours (about 2.5 days) to fully clear Eliquis from your system once you stop taking it.
If you’re having surgery or an invasive medical procedure, you may need to stop taking Eliquis to prevent excess bleeding. In most cases, you’ll stop taking Eliquis 1 to 2 days prior to the procedure. But your prescriber will give you specific instructions to follow. And you shouldn’t stop taking Eliquis unless you’re told to — doing so can leave you unprotected against blood clots.
Can you take Eliquis once a day?
No, the recommended Eliquis dosage is 2.5 mg to 5 mg by mouth twice a day. This helps keep the medication at a steady level to effectively prevent blood clots. If you only take Eliquis once a day, medication levels may drop between doses and leave you at risk for blood clots.
Xarelto vs. Eliquis: Learn how these two blood thinners compare.
What foods should you avoid with Eliquis?: Pharmacist-approved answers to this and more Eliquis FAQs.
NSAIDs and blood thinners: These two medications should not be taken at the same time. Here’s why.
If you're having trouble taking Eliquis twice a day, let your prescriber know. They may be able to switch you to a once-daily blood thinner instead. If you’re worried about the dosing schedule or have trouble remembering to take your medication, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. They can give you tips or tools to help you stay on track.
How long do you need to take Eliquis?
The length of time you'll need to take Eliquis depends on why it's prescribed. In most cases, here’s the recommended length of treatment:
After hip replacement surgery: 35 days
After knee replacement surgery: 12 days
For treating DVT or PE: At least 3 to 6 months
To prevent clots caused by atrial fibrillation: Life-long treatment
Always follow your prescriber's instructions about how long to take Eliquis. Stopping your medication too early or continuing it for too long can affect your health. If you have questions about your treatment plan, don't hesitate to reach out to your healthcare team.
How to save on Eliquis
There are ways to save on Eliquis, which is only available as a brand-name medication. GoodRx can help you navigate patient assistance programs and copay savings cards to save money on your prescription.
Save with patient assistance programs. If you’re uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible for Eliquis’s patient assistance program, which offers the medication free of cost.
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. You may also be able to get a free 30-day supply with a free trial card from your prescriber in certain cases.
Frequently asked questions
No, Eliquis doesn’t lower your blood pressure. Eliquis is a blood thinner, which means it helps prevent blood clots. If you’re living with high blood pressure, you may take Eliquis if you’re also at risk for blood clots. But it isn’t a blood pressure medication, and low blood pressure hasn’t been reported as an Eliquis side effect, either.
No, kidney damage isn’t an Eliquis side effect. But your kidneys help remove Eliquis from your body. So you may need a lower Eliquis dosage if you have existing kidney problems. If you have changes in how much or how often you pee while taking Eliquis, be sure to let your prescriber know. There could be something else going on that’s affecting your kidneys.
Yes, you can eat bananas while taking Eliquis. Unlike warfarin, which is affected by foods high in vitamin K (such as spinach or kale), Eliquis doesn’t have specific food restrictions. And bananas don’t interfere with how Eliquis works. But keep in mind that the potassium in bananas may interact with other medications, especially if you eat a lot of them. Your healthcare team can review your medication list to let you know if bananas are a food you can safely enjoy each day.
The bottom line
Eliquis (apixaban) is a blood thinner that’s used to prevent blood clots caused by an irregular heartbeat or joint replacement surgery. It also treats and prevents blood clots in the legs (deep vein thrombosis) and lungs (pulmonary embolism).
Eliquis works by blocking a protein called Factor Xa. This protein plays a key role in forming blood clots. Taking Eliquis twice daily helps keep it working effectively. Your length of treatment will depend on what you’re taking it for. Be sure to follow your prescriber’s instructions and ask questions if you’re unsure about your Eliquis dosage or treatment plan.
Why trust our experts?
References
Agrawal, A., et al. (2024). Apixaban. StatPearls.
National Bleeding Disorders Foundation. (n.d.). The clotting cascade.
RemedyRepack. (2025). Eliquis- apixaban tablet, film coated [package insert].
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