Eliquis is the brand name of the generic drug apixaban, which is used to prevent strokes.
The drug also stops blood clots from forming in a vein in one area of the body (deep vein thrombosis, or DVT) then traveling to another (thromboembolism).
Eliquis is also approved for treating pulmonary embolism (a blood clot in the lungs).
The drug is an anticoagulant that works by inhibiting factor Xa, a protein that speeds blood clot formation.
Eliquis was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2012. Bristol Myers Squibb manufactures it.
Premature Treatment Discontinuation: If you stop taking Eliquis sooner than your doctor prescribes, your risk of developing a blood clot automatically increases.
Epidural/spinal hematoma: A hematoma occurs when blood collects around tissues in one area of the body and causes swelling.
A person taking Eliquis and other medications that can thin the blood — such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), or aspirin — is at risk of a spinal hematoma after a spinal puncture for a test or anesthesia.
A hematoma around the spinal cord increases the risk of becoming paralyzed for a prolonged period of time, or for life.
Additionally, you should not take Eliquis if:
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant before taking this medication.
Whether or not Eliquis passes into breast milk is unclear. Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed before taking Eliquis.
The drug also stops blood clots from forming in a vein in one area of the body (deep vein thrombosis, or DVT) then traveling to another (thromboembolism).
Eliquis is also approved for treating pulmonary embolism (a blood clot in the lungs).
The drug is an anticoagulant that works by inhibiting factor Xa, a protein that speeds blood clot formation.
Eliquis was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2012. Bristol Myers Squibb manufactures it.
Eliquis Warnings
Eliquis has two black-box warnings, one about epidural/spinal hematoma risk and another about the risk of stopping the medication early.Premature Treatment Discontinuation: If you stop taking Eliquis sooner than your doctor prescribes, your risk of developing a blood clot automatically increases.
Epidural/spinal hematoma: A hematoma occurs when blood collects around tissues in one area of the body and causes swelling.
A person taking Eliquis and other medications that can thin the blood — such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), or aspirin — is at risk of a spinal hematoma after a spinal puncture for a test or anesthesia.
A hematoma around the spinal cord increases the risk of becoming paralyzed for a prolonged period of time, or for life.
Additionally, you should not take Eliquis if:
- You're allergic to Eliquis or any other ingredient in the drug
- You're bleeding heavily or at risk for bleeding
- You have poor liver function
- You have a hole in your spine
- You are about to receive, or have recently received, an epidural or any spinal injection of an anesthesia
- You have a heart valve replacement
- You're more than 80 years old
Pregnancy and Eliquis
Studies do not show that Eliquis harms a fetus, but Eliquis hasn't been studied adequately in pregnant women.Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant before taking this medication.
Whether or not Eliquis passes into breast milk is unclear. Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed before taking Eliquis.
Eliquis Side Effects
Common side effects of Eliquis include:
- Bleeding
- Low red blood cell count
- Nausea
Serious side effects of Eliquis include:
- Epidural/spinal hematoma
- Severe bleeding
- Bruising and bleeding caused by a low platelet count and poor clotting
- Fainting
- Allergic reactions
- Blood clots caused by stopping Eliquis too soon
Eliquis Interactions
This includes your prescriptions medications, over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, vitamins, nutritional supplements (nutritional shakes, protein powders, etc.), herbal remedies, and any illegal or recreational drugs.
You should not take Eliquis if you are also taking mifepristone (Mifeprex or Korlym).
Medications that have serious interactions with Eliquis include:
- Plasminogen activators, including reteplase (Retevase), alteplase (Activase, Cathflo Activase), and tenecteplase (TNKase)
- Bivalirudin (Angiomax)
- Blood thinners, such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven), dalteparin (Fragmin), dabigatran (Pradaxa), or fondaparinux (Arixtra)
- Antiplatelets like Brilinta (ticagrelor), Effient (prasugrel), and Plavix (clopidogrel)
- Herbal remedies, such as those containing St. John's wort, feverfew, garlic, evening primrose oil, gingko biloba, and fenugreek
- Barbiturates, such as phenobarbital or butalbital
- Nafcillin injection (Nallpen, Unipen)
- Seizure drugs, such as fosphenytoin (Cerebryx), phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek), carbamazepine (Carbatrol, TEGretol, Equetro, Epitol)
- Aspirin and NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen (Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox), and meloxicam (Mobic)
- Antidepressants, such as like duloxetine (Cymbalta), citalopram (Celexa), and fluoxetine (Prozac)
- HIV medications, such as darunavir (Prezista), lopinavir/ritonavir (Kaletra), and ritonavir (Norvir)
Eliquis and Alcohol
Drinking alcohol increases the risk of bleeding in your stomach or intestines.That risk may increase even more when you take Eliquis. You should avoid or limit drinking alcohol while on this medication.
Eliquis and Grapefruit
Grapefruit juice may slow the breakdown of Eliquis in your body and could lead to dangerously high levels of the drug in your blood.You should avoid eating grapefruit and drinking grapefruit juice while taking Eliquis.
Eliquis Dosage
Eliquis comes in 2.5 milligram (mg) and 5 mg tablets.
The usual dose of Eliquis to prevent stroke or traveling blood clots is 5 mg, twice a day.
To prevent clots in the veins of your legs or lungs, the usual dose is 5 mg, twice a day.
If you have had a hip replacement, your doctor may prescribe 2.5 mg, twice a day for 35 days, beginning 12 to 24 hours after surgery.
If you have had knee surgery, your doctor may prescribe 2.5 mg of Eliquis, twice a day for 12 days, beginning 12 to 24 hours after surgery.
Don't take more Eliquis than your doctor prescribes, and never more than 10 mg a day.
You can get in touch with a poison control center at (800) 222-1222.
Call 911 if someone has collapsed or is not breathing from a possible reaction to Eliquis or an overdose.
If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time.
Don't take two doses of the medication at the same time.
The usual dose of Eliquis to prevent stroke or traveling blood clots is 5 mg, twice a day.
To prevent clots in the veins of your legs or lungs, the usual dose is 5 mg, twice a day.
If you have had a hip replacement, your doctor may prescribe 2.5 mg, twice a day for 35 days, beginning 12 to 24 hours after surgery.
If you have had knee surgery, your doctor may prescribe 2.5 mg of Eliquis, twice a day for 12 days, beginning 12 to 24 hours after surgery.
Don't take more Eliquis than your doctor prescribes, and never more than 10 mg a day.
Eliquis Overdose
If you suspect an overdose, you should contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately.You can get in touch with a poison control center at (800) 222-1222.
Call 911 if someone has collapsed or is not breathing from a possible reaction to Eliquis or an overdose.
Missed Dose of Eliquis
If you miss a dose of Eliquis, try to take it as soon as you remember.If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time.
Don't take two doses of the medication at the same time.
