Eliquis / Teva-Apixaban (apixaban) is commonly prescribed as an anticoagulant:
- for prevention of venous thromboembolic events (VTE) in adult patients who have undergone elective hip or knee replacement surgery
- for prevention of stroke and blood clots in adult patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF), who have additional risk factors
- for the treatment of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) in adults
- for the prevention of recurrent DVT and PE in adults
Read more about Eliquis and the conditions it treats.
Caution
Patients may have a higher risk of bleeding if Eliquis is taken alongside other medicines that also have anticoagulant effects, such as aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), warfarin (Coumadin), heparin, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). Talk to a doctor or pharmacist before taking any additional unprescribed drugs.
Dosage
The dose and regimen will be set by the doctor. The recommended initial dose of apixaban for the treatment of acute DVT and treatment of PE is 10 mg taken orally twice daily, followed by 5 mg taken orally twice daily.
The recommended dose of apixaban for the prevention of recurrent DVT and PE is 2.5 mg, taken orally twice daily.
The dose of Eliquis should be swallowed with water, with or without food. For patients who are unable to swallow whole tablets, Eliquis tablets may be crushed and suspended in water.
If a scheduled dose is missed, take Eliquis immediately and then continue with a twice-daily dosage as before, but do not double-dose to make up for the missed dose.
This text is for informational purposes only. Please consult with a doctor or pharmacist before using any medication.Â
Read the manufacturer’s Information leaflet that comes with the medication.
The following are the most common side effects that have been reported:
- Blood in the urine
- Black or bloody stools
- Bruising
- Hemoptysis (airway bleeding)
- Tiredness
- Bleeding from wounds or needle injections
- Erythema (redness of the skin, resembles blushing)
- Decreased alertness
- Shortness of breath
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
- Bleeding
- Headache
- Joint pain or swelling
- Nausea and vomiting
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Abdominal pain
- Allergic reaction
- Fainting
- Nosebleed
- Blood clots
- Dysphagia (difficulty in swallowing)
- Fast heartbeat
- Spinal bleeding
Not all side effects are listed here. If these or other unlisted symptoms persist or worsen, consult with a healthcare provider or pharmacist.
The main uses of Eliquis (apixaban) are:
- to prevent venous thromboembolic events (VTE) in adult patients who have undergone elective hip or knee replacement surgery
- to prevent stroke and systemic embolism in adult patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) who have one or more risk factors, such as prior stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA); age ≥ 75 years; hypertension; type 2 diabetes; or symptomatic heart failure
- for treatment of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), and prevention of recurrent DVT and PE in adults.
Eliquis (apixaban) is a blood thinner medicine that reduces blood clotting. Eliquis belongs to a class of medicines called direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs). Read more here about how the available alternatives treat atrial fibrillation, and here for an in-depth discussion of the dangers coming from blood clots.