Key takeaways:
Eliquis (apixaban) is a prescription blood thinner that treats and prevents blood clots. It starts working within a few hours of taking it and reaches full effect in about 3 days.
You don’t need to follow a specific diet or have frequent blood tests while you’re taking Eliquis. But you should avoid large amounts of grapefruit juice and supplements such as vitamin E, ginkgo biloba, and turmeric.
You can switch from other blood thinners to Eliquis, and vice versa. But it doesn’t treat all of the same conditions as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven) and other types of blood thinners, so Eliquis may not be an option for everyone.
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.
Eliquis (apixaban) is a prescription blood thinner (anticoagulant). It’s a direct-acting oral anticoagulant (DOAC) that treats and prevents blood clots. Eliquis is a first-choice anticoagulant for many people. Unlike the older blood thinner warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven), Eliquis doesn’t require frequent blood tests. It also has a lower risk of bleeding events in people who take it.
If you’ve been prescribed Eliquis, it’s helpful to know how to take it safely. Below, we’ll cover eight common questions about it, including what foods you should avoid while taking Eliquis. If you have other questions that aren’t covered here, your healthcare team (prescriber and pharmacist) can help answer them.
1. What foods should you avoid while taking Eliquis?
You may have heard that you need to follow a specific diet when you’re taking blood thinners. But that really only applies to warfarin, not Eliquis. The food you eat shouldn’t have much of an impact on how Eliquis works. So it’s fine to eat broccoli and other leafy greens while you’re taking it. And there aren’t many dietary restrictions you have to follow.
That being said, there are several foods (mainly herbs and spices) and supplements that may make bleeding more likely if you combine them with Eliquis. These include:
Cayenne pepper
Garlic
Ginger
Grapeseed oil
These ingredients won’t turn your food into a natural blood thinner. And consuming them in moderate amounts with Eliquis is unlikely to be an issue. But in large amounts, or in supplement form, they may increase your chances of bleeding. And the risk of this goes up if you take Eliquis. So be sure to review any supplements you take with your healthcare team before starting Eliquis. And let them know if you make any major changes to your diet, too.
Good to know: St. John’s wort is another supplement that can interact with Eliquis. But instead of increasing your risk of bleeding, it may make Eliquis less effective. This raises your risk for blood clots. So you shouldn’t combine St. John’s wort and Eliquis. Talk to your healthcare team about safer alternatives to St. John’s wort.
Does Eliquis interact with grapefruit juice?
Yes, grapefruit and grapefruit juice can increase Eliquis levels and raise the risk of bleeding if they’re combined. This happens because grapefruit blocks the enzyme (protein) that breaks down Eliquis to remove it from the body. A small amount of grapefruit or grapefruit juice now and then is likely fine. But you shouldn’t consume it often or in large amounts.
2. Can you drink alcohol while taking Eliquis?
It’s a good idea to limit your alcohol intake while taking Eliquis. There isn’t a direct interaction between Eliquis and alcohol, but alcohol can raise your risk of serious bleeding events. A moderate amount of alcohol (1 or 2 drinks in a day) now and then is unlikely to be an issue. But more than that could be a problem.
If you’re concerned or have questions about drinking alcohol while taking Eliquis, talk to a healthcare professional. They can help you understand the risks and provide resources if you need help cutting back on how much you drink.
If you or someone you know struggles with substance use, help is available. Call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 to learn about resources in your area.
3. How long does it take Eliquis to work?
Eliquis starts working a few hours after your first dose. It takes about 4 hours to reach full concentration in your body. But it takes about 3 days to reach optimal, stable levels.
You shouldn’t feel any different as Eliquis starts to work. But you might notice that you bruise more easily or have minor nosebleeds after you start taking it. These side effects are a sign that Eliquis is working, and aren’t usually anything to worry about. But if you have bleeding that doesn’t stop, blood in your urine or stool, or a bruise that keeps getting larger instead of going away, contact your prescriber. This could be a sign of a more serious bleeding issue.
Blood thinner 101: Learn the difference between two types of blood thinners — antiplatelet and anticoagulant medications.
Eliquis side effects: Learn what to expect — and what to look out for — when taking Eliquis.
NSAIDs and blood thinners don’t mix: Learn why, plus the answers to several other frequently asked questions about taking NSAIDs and blood thinners.
4. How long does Eliquis stay in your body?
The half-life of Eliquis is about 12 hours. A half-life is the amount of time it takes for your body to clear 50% (half) of a medication from your body. It takes about 5 half-lives to fully clear a medication from your body. So Eliquis’ blood-thinning effects should wear off within 2 to 3 days of stopping it. But bleeding events may still happen during that time.
If you’re having surgery or any other medical procedure where bleeding is likely, your healthcare team may ask you to stop taking Eliquis 24 to 48 hours before your procedure. This gives enough time for Eliquis to leave your body. Be sure to follow your team’s instructions carefully, and restart Eliquis when you’re told to. And you shouldn’t stop taking Eliquis on your own — only do so with your prescriber’s OK.
5. How long do you have to take Eliquis?
How long you’ll have to take Eliquis depends on your specific situation. Some people may take it for only a couple of weeks. For others, it will be a lifelong medication.
Below is a chart with the recommended timelines for Eliquis treatment for different conditions. Keep in mind, the amount of time you take Eliquis may differ from these. Follow your prescriber’s instructions, as they will tailor your treatment to your specific needs.
Condition | Length of treatment |
|---|---|
To prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) after knee surgery | 12 days |
To prevent DVT after hip surgery | 35 days |
To treat DVT or pulmonary embolism (clot in the lungs) | At least 3-6 months |
To prevent blood clots in people with atrial fibrillation (an irregular heartbeat) | Long-term treatment |
If you stop taking Eliquis too early, it could put you at risk of dangerous blood clots. So it’s important to not stop taking Eliquis without talking to your prescriber first.
6. Can you switch from warfarin to Eliquis?
Yes, you can sometimes switch from warfarin to Eliquis. But the two medications aren’t always used for the same health conditions. For example, warfarin is FDA approved to prevent strokes and other types of blood clots after a heart attack. Eliquis isn’t approved for these uses. So you should only make the change if your prescriber OKs it.
To make the switch from warfarin to Eliquis, you’ll need to get blood tests to make sure you’re doing so safely. An international normalized ratio (INR) is a blood test that indicates how well your blood is able to clot. People who take warfarin need to monitor this level to make sure it doesn’t go too high or low. Your prescriber will likely have you stop taking warfarin, which will cause your INR to lower. Once your INR is less than 2, you’ll start taking Eliquis.
Eliquis to warfarin
It’s also possible to switch from Eliquis to warfarin. To make this change, one option is to stop taking Eliquis and take your first warfarin dose when your next Eliquis dose would have been due.
It takes warfarin about 6 days to reach its full effect, so your prescriber may also temporarily give you an injectable anticoagulant, such as Lovenox (enoxaparin), during this time.
Other anticoagulants to Eliquis
You may need to switch to Eliquis from another DOAC. This is typically easier than switching to or from warfarin, because it doesn’t require frequent blood tests or injections. But it should still only be done under the guidance of your prescriber.
To change to Eliquis from an anticoagulant other than warfarin, you should stop the one you’re currently taking and start Eliquis at the time of your next scheduled dose.
Eliquis to other anticoagulants
It’s also possible to switch from Eliquis to other anticoagulants (other than warfarin). If you’re making this switch, stop Eliquis and start the new anticoagulant at the time of your next scheduled Eliquis dose.
As with all anticoagulant changes, make sure your prescriber OKs the switch before you make it.
7. Does Eliquis cause weight gain or weight loss?
No, neither weight gain or loss are reported as Eliquis side effects. But it’s worth noting that many people start taking Eliquis after they’ve had a major health scare or surgery. This can be stressful, and you may be more sedentary than usual while you’re recovering. These factors can lead to weight gain that’s unrelated to Eliquis, even though it happens while you’re taking it. On the other hand, sometimes a health scare can inspire you to make healthy lifestyle changes. In this case, you may lose weight while taking Eliquis.
If you notice changes in your body weight while taking Eliquis that concern you, check with your prescriber. They can help determine the cause and the best way to address it.
8. Does Eliquis cause stomach problems?
Stomach problems aren’t a common Eliquis side effect. But a small number of people (about 3%) experienced nausea in clinical trials.
You can take Eliquis with or without food. So try taking it with a snack or meal to help with nausea symptoms. Food won’t change how effective Eliquis is at fighting blood clots.
Good to know: Nausea and other stomach problems can be an early sign of bleeding in the stomach. Be sure to keep an eye out for blood in your stool (which can look bright red or black and tarry), bloody vomit, and stomach pain. If any of these symptoms happen along with nausea, seek medical care right away.
How can you save on your Eliquis prescription?
There are ways to save on Eliquis, which is only available as a brand-name medication. GoodRx can help you navigate 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. You may also be able to get a 30-day free trial card from your prescriber in certain cases.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can eat salad while taking Eliquis. Warfarin is the only blood thinner that requires you to monitor your diet. But you can eat salad while taking warfarin too, as long as you’re consistent with how often you have it (and what goes in the salad).
Yes, you can eat bananas while taking Eliquis. But keep in mind that bananas may interact with other medications you’re taking, especially if you eat them often. So it’s a good idea to check with your healthcare team to make sure they’re OK for you.
Yes, you can eat salad while taking Eliquis. Warfarin is the only blood thinner that requires you to monitor your diet. But you can eat salad while taking warfarin too, as long as you’re consistent with how often you have it (and what goes in the salad).
Yes, you can eat bananas while taking Eliquis. But keep in mind that bananas may interact with other medications you’re taking, especially if you eat them often. So it’s a good idea to check with your healthcare team to make sure they’re OK for you.
The bottom line
Eliquis (apixaban) is a direct-acting oral anticoagulant that treats and prevents blood clots. It’s a first-choice treatment option for many people, since it doesn’t require frequent blood tests the way warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven) does. And Eliquis isn’t known to cause weight changes or stomach issues for most people.
You don’t need to follow a specific diet while you’re taking Eliquis. But you should avoid large amounts of grapefruit or grapefruit juice and supplements such as vitamin E, ginkgo biloba, and turmeric.
Eliquis starts working within a few hours, and takes about 2 to 3 days to leave your body once you stop taking it. But you should only stop taking Eliquis once your prescriber tells you to. Stopping it too soon can put you at a greater risk for unwanted blood clots.
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