Eliquis

brand

What is Eliquis?

Common Brand(s): Eliquis

Apixaban is used to prevent serious blood clots from forming due to a certain irregular heartbeat (atrial fibrillation) or after hip/knee replacement surgery. With atrial fibrillation, part of the heart does not beat the way it should. This can lead to blood clots forming, which can travel to other parts of your body (such as the lungs or legs) or increase your risk for stroke. In the United States, apixaban is also approved to treat certain types of blood clots (deep vein thrombosis-DVT, pulmonary embolus-PE) and to prevent them from forming again.

Apixaban is an anticoagulant that works by blocking certain clotting proteins in your blood.

Uses

  • pulmonary thromboembolism
  • deep venous thrombosis
  • hip surgery deep vein thrombosis prevention
  • knee replacement deep vein thrombosis prevention
  • prevention of thromboembolism in chronic atrial fibrillation
  • prevention of pulmonary thromboembolism recurrence
  • prevention of deep vein thrombosis recurrence

Usage Instructions

See also Warning section.

Read the Medication Guide and, if available, the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start taking apixaban and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually twice daily (every 12 hours). If you cannot swallow the tablet whole, you may crush the tablet and mix with water, apple juice, or applesauce and take it right away.

The dosage is based on your medical condition, age, weight, kidney function, response to treatment, and other medications you may be taking. Be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). If you are taking apixaban to prevent blood clots from forming after surgery, the length of treatment is based on the type of surgery that you had.

Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor. Some conditions may become worse when this drug is suddenly stopped. Do not run out of this medication. Order your refills early to avoid running out of pills.

Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same times each day.

Storage

Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. If you are crushing the tablet and mixing it as directed in water, apple juice, or applesauce, use the mixture within 4 hours of preparing it. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.