Eliquis
Generic Name: apixaban (a PIX a ban)
Brand Names: Eliquis
Brand Names: Eliquis
What is Eliquis?
Eliquis (apixaban) blocks the activity of certain clotting substances in the blood.
Eliquis is used to lower the risk of stroke caused by a blood clot in people with a heart rhythm disorder called atrial fibrillation.
Eliquis is also used after hip or knee replacement surgery to prevent a type of blood clot called deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which can lead to blood clots in the lungs (pulmonary embolism).
Eliquis is also used to treat DVT or pulmonary embolism (PE), and to lower your risk of having a repeat DVT or PE.
Important information
You should not take Eliquis if you have an artificial heart valve, or if you have any active bleeding from a surgery, injury, or other cause.
Eliquis can cause a very serious blood clot around your spinal cord if you undergo a spinal tap or receive spinal anesthesia (epidural), especially if you have a genetic spinal defect, if you have a spinal catheter in place, if you have a history of spinal surgery or repeated spinal taps, or if you are also using other drugs that can affect blood clotting. This type of blood clot can lead to long-term or permanent paralysis.
The Dangers Of DVT: Don't Ignore The Signs
SLIDESHOW
The Dangers Of DVT: Don't Ignore The Signs
Get emergency medical help if you have symptoms of a spinal cord blood clot such as back pain, numbness or muscle weakness in your lower body, or loss of bladder or bowel control.
Do not stop taking Eliquis unless your doctor tells you to. Stopping suddenly can increase your risk of blood clot or stroke.
Before taking this medicine
You should not take Eliquis if you are allergic to apixaban, if you have an artificial heart valve, or if you have any active bleeding from a surgery, injury, or other cause.
Eliquis may cause you to bleed more easily, especially if you have a bleeding disorder that is inherited or caused by disease.
To make sure Eliquis is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
liver disease;
if you are older than 80; or
if you weigh less than 132 pounds.
Eliquis can cause a very serious blood clot around your spinal cord if you undergo a spinal tap or receive spinal anesthesia (epidural). This type of blood clot could cause long-term paralysis, and may be more likely to occur if:
you have a spinal catheter in place or if a catheter has been recently removed;
you have a history of spinal surgery or repeated spinal taps;
you have recently had a spinal tap or epidural anesthesia;
you are taking an NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug) - ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others; or
you are using other medicines to treat or prevent blood clots.
This medicine is not expected to harm an unborn baby. However, taking this medicine during pregnancy may increase the risk of bleeding while you are pregnant or during your delivery. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
It is not known whether apixaban passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using Eliquis.
How should I take Eliquis?
Eliquis is usually taken twice per day. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
You may take Eliquis with or without food.
To make swallowing easier, you may crush an Eliquis tablet and mix the medicine with water or apple juice, or with a spoonful of applesauce. Swallow the mixture right away without chewing. Do not save it for later use. The mixture will no longer be good after 4 hours.
Eliquis can be given through a nasogastric (NG) feeding tube. Crush the tablet and mix the medicine in a syringe with 60 milliliters of 5% dextrose in water (D5W). Give this mixture right away through the NG tube. Do not save for later use. Do not give this mixture by mouth.
Because Eliquis keeps your blood from coagulating (clotting) to prevent unwanted blood clots, this medicine can also make it easier for you to bleed, even from a minor injury such as a fall or a bump on the head. Contact your doctor or seek emergency medical attention if you fall or hit your head, or have any bleeding that will not stop.
If you need surgery or dental work, tell the doctor or dentist ahead of time if you have taken Eliquis within the past 24 hours. You may need to stop taking this medicine for a short time before you have surgery or other medical procedures.
Do not stop taking Eliquis unless your doctor tells you to. Stopping suddenly can increase your risk of blood clot or stroke.
If you stop taking this medicine for any reason, your doctor may prescribe another medication to prevent blood clots until you start taking Eliquis again.
Use regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Eliquis dosing information
Usual Adult Dose of Eliquis for Deep Vein Thrombosis - Prophylaxis:
2.5 mg orally 2 times a day
Duration of therapy:
-Hip replacement: 35 days
-Knee replacement: 12 days
Comments:
-The initial dose should be taken 12 to 24 hours after surgery (for hip or knee replacement surgery prophylaxis).
Uses:
-Prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which may lead to pulmonary embolism (PE), in patients who have undergone hip or knee replacement surgery.
-Reduction in the risk of recurrence of DVT and PE following initial therapy.
Usual Adult Dose of Eliquis for Deep Vein Thrombosis Prophylaxis after Hip Replacement Surgery:
2.5 mg orally 2 times a day
Duration of therapy:
-Hip replacement: 35 days
-Knee replacement: 12 days
Comments:
-The initial dose should be taken 12 to 24 hours after surgery (for hip or knee replacement surgery prophylaxis).
Uses:
-Prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which may lead to pulmonary embolism (PE), in patients who have undergone hip or knee replacement surgery.
-Reduction in the risk of recurrence of DVT and PE following initial therapy.
Usual Adult Dose of Eliquis for Deep Vein Thrombosis Prophylaxis after Knee Replacement Surgery:
2.5 mg orally 2 times a day
Duration of therapy:
-Hip replacement: 35 days
-Knee replacement: 12 days
Comments:
-The initial dose should be taken 12 to 24 hours after surgery (for hip or knee replacement surgery prophylaxis).
Uses:
-Prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which may lead to pulmonary embolism (PE), in patients who have undergone hip or knee replacement surgery.
-Reduction in the risk of recurrence of DVT and PE following initial therapy.
Usual Adult Dose of Eliquis for Prevention of Thromboembolism in Atrial Fibrillation:
5 mg orally 2 times a day
Use: Reduction of risk of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation.
Usual Adult Dose of Eliquis for Thromboembolic Stroke Prophylaxis:
5 mg orally 2 times a day
Use: Reduction of risk of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation.
Usual Adult Dose for Deep Vein Thrombosis:
Initial dose: 10 mg orally 2 times a day for 7 days
Maintenance dose: 5 mg orally 2 times a day
Use: Treatment of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.
Usual Adult Dose for Pulmonary Embolism:
Initial dose: 10 mg orally 2 times a day for 7 days
Maintenance dose: 5 mg orally 2 times a day
Use: Treatment of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.
See also: Dosage Information (in more detail)
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose on the same day you remember it. Take your next dose at the regular time and stay on your twice-daily schedule. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid while taking Eliquis?
Avoid activities that may increase your risk of bleeding or injury. Use extra care to prevent bleeding while shaving or brushing your teeth.
Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with apixaban and lead to unwanted side effects. Discuss the use of grapefruit products with your doctor.
Eliquis side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Eliquis: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Also seek emergency medical attention if you have symptoms of a spinal blood clot: back pain, numbness or muscle weakness in your lower body, or loss of bladder or bowel control.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), bleeding from wounds or needle injections, any bleeding that will not stop;
heavy menstrual periods;
headache, dizziness, weakness, feeling like you might pass out;
urine that looks red, pink, or brown; or
black or bloody stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.
This is not a complete list of Eliquis side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
See also: Side effects (in more detail)
