Eliquis (apixaban) is a direct-acting oral anticoagulant (DOAC) that's used to prevent and treat certain types of blood clots. Eliquis (apixaban) is taken by mouth, typically twice daily. While generic versions of this medication have been approved by the FDA, they might not hit the market until 2026.
Lower the risk of stroke or blood clots in people with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AFib)
Lower the risk of repeat blood clot in the legs or arms (deep vein thrombosis, or DVT), or lungs (pulmonary embolism, or PE)
Prevent DVT after hip or knee replacement surgery
Treat DVT and PE
Eliquis (apixaban) is an anticoagulant (blood thinner) known as a direct-acting oral anticoagulant (DOAC). It works by stopping a specific clotting factor called factor Xa from working. By blocking factor Xa, it'll cause less blood clots to form in your body so you're less likely to have a stroke, heart attack, or clot in your arms or legs.
Source: DailyMed
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Rare
Blood in the eyes
blood in the urine
bloody or black, tarry stools
bruising or purple areas on the skin
confusion
coughing up blood
decreased alertness
difficulty swallowing
dizziness
fainting
fast heartbeat
headache
joint pain or swelling
nosebleeds
puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
redness of the eye
severe stomach pain
shortness of breath
tightness in the chest
unusual tiredness or weakness
vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
A first-choice treatment option for preventing and treating blood clots in many people
Taken with or without food
Don't need to get regular blood work to check how well it works
Less food and drug interactions than warfarin (Coumadin)
Taken twice daily
Not studied in children age 18 years or younger
Not for people who have atrial fibrillation with heart valve problems
Lower-cost generics approved, but not yet available
You can take Eliquis (apixaban) with or without food. But try to take it at the same time each day.
Eliquis (apixaban) can make you bleed more easily. Stop taking the medication and get medical help right away if you feel lightheaded, dizzy, are vomiting or coughing up blood, or have blood in your stool. These are signs of bleeding that might be happening in your body.
Get medical help right away if you fall and hit your head, especially if you feel dizzy or have a headache. Your provider will want to check to make sure you don't have any brain bleeds.
If you're going to have a dental procedure or surgery, make sure your healthcare care team knows you're taking Eliquis (apixaban). Depending on the surgery, you might need to temporarily stop taking Eliquis (apixaban) 1 to 2 days before to lower your risk for severe bleeding.
Eliquis (apixaban) can interact with many commonly used supplements, over-the-counter, and prescription medications. For example, rifampin (Rifadin) and carbamazepine (Tegretol) can lower the levels of Eliquis (apixaban) in your body and put you at higher risk for bleeds. Make sure to tell your provider about all of the medications you're taking before starting Eliquis (apixaban). Don't start any new medications without talking to your provider or pharmacist first to make sure the combination is safe.
Don't stop taking Eliquis (apixaban) unless your provider specifically told you it is safe to do so. This can cause blood clots to form in your body, which can be severe and life-threatening. If you're wanting to stop Eliquis (apixaban) or switch to another blood thinner, ask your provider how to do so safely.
Eliquis (apixaban) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Risk factors: Stopping Eliquis (apixaban) too early
Don't stop taking Eliquis (apixaban) unless your provider specifically told you it's safe to do so. Stopping the medication too early can cause blood clots to form in your body. If you're wanting to stop Eliquis (apixaban), contact your provider so they can create a safe plan for you.
Let your provider know if you experience symptoms of blood clots, such as:
Stroke: sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body, feeling confused, trouble speaking or understanding speech, dizziness, trouble keeping balance
Blood clot in the leg or arm: swelling or redness in arms or legs, skin that's warm to touch
Blood clot in the lungs: trouble breathing, chest pain, cough, irregular heartbeat
Risk factors: Spinal puncture (spinal tap) | Getting anesthesia in the spine (epidural anesthesia) | History of spinal surgery | Taking other medications that raise the risk for bleeds
If you're having certain types of spinal procedures, taking Eliquis (apixaban) can raise your risk for getting a hematoma (pooling of blood) around the spinal cord. Sometimes, hematomas can lead to serious complications, such as paralysis. If you're getting a spinal procedure, your provider might ask you to temporarily stop taking Eliquis (apixaban) to lower your risk of spinal hematomas. Let your provider know right away if you notice symptoms such as numbness or weakness of your legs, or bowel or bladder problems - these can be signs of problems with your spine.
Risk factors: Taking other medications that raise the risk for bleeds
Taking Eliquis (apixaban) can raise your risk for bleeds. Your risk is higher if you're also taking other medications that can cause bleeding. If you do have a serious bleed, your provider might be able to give you a medication called Andexxa (andexanet alfa) to reverse the effects of Eliquis (apixaban). Let your provider know if you have a fall, head injury, or other kinds of physical injury - they might need to check you for bleeding inside your body. Get medical help right away if you have dark or tarry stool or bleeds that are difficult to stop.
Eliquis (apixaban) shouldn't be used in people with [antiphospholipid syndrome] because it hasn't been shown to work well.
To lower risk of stroke or clots in AFib: The typical dose is 5 mg by mouth twice daily.
To lower risk of repeat DVT and PE: The typical dose is 2.5 mg by mouth twice daily. You'll typically start Eliquis (apixaban) after already receiving treatment for your blood clot for at least 6 months.
To prevent DVT after hip or knee surgery: The typical dose is 2.5 mg by mouth twice daily, starting within 24 hours after surgery. Treatment typically lasts about 2 weeks to a month, depending on the type of surgery you had.
To treat DVT and PE: The typical starting dose is 10 mg by mouth twice daily for a week. The typical maintenance dose is 5 mg by mouth twice daily.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Active bleeding
Severe allergic reaction to Eliquis (apixaban) or another DOAC
Lower the risk of stroke or blood clots in people with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AFib)
Lower the risk of repeat blood clot in the legs or arms (deep vein thrombosis, or DVT), or lungs (pulmonary embolism, or PE)
Prevent DVT after hip or knee replacement surgery
Treat DVT and PE
Prevention and treatment blood clots in the veins
Prevention and treatment blood clots linked to atrial fibrillation (AFib) or heart valve replacement
Prevention of more blood clots and to lower risk of death after a heart attack
Lowering the risk of stroke and blood clots in with atrial fibrillation (AFib) that isn't caused by a heart valve problem
Treating blood clots in the legs (deep vein thrombosis (DVT)) or lungs (pulmonary embolism (PE))
Lowering the risk of blood clots from happening again in the legs (DVT) or lungs (PE) in certain people who are at high risk for clots
Preventing blood clots in the legs (DVT) or lungs (PE) in people who've had recent hip or knee surgery, those who are hospitalized, or those who were recently released from the hospital and are at high risk for blood clots
Lowering the risk of serious heart-related problems, such as heart attack or stroke, in people with coronary artery disease (CAD) when used together with aspirin
Lowering the risk of blood flow issues, major amputations, serious heart problems, or stroke in people with peripheral artery disease (PAD) when used together with aspirin
Treating blood clots and lowering the risk of blood clots from happening again after receiving at least 5 days of treatment with injectable blood thinner medications
Preventing blood clots in children ages 2 and older with a congenital heart disease (CHD) after a Fontan procedure.
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