Eliquis

Eliquis is a prescription blood thinner also known by its generic name apixaban. Doctors prescribe it to prevent dangerous blood clots that can cause strokes, heart attacks, and other serious health problems. It belongs to a class of medications called direct oral anticoagulants, or DOACs for short.

Unlike older blood thinners such as warfarin, Eliquis does not require frequent blood tests to monitor your levels. It works quickly and leaves your body relatively fast, which gives your doctor more flexibility in managing your treatment. Millions of people take Eliquis every day to protect themselves from clot-related complications.

Eliquis comes as a tablet that you take by mouth, usually twice daily. It requires a prescription from your doctor, who will determine if it is the right medication for your specific health needs. Your doctor will consider your kidney function, other medications, and bleeding risk before prescribing Eliquis.

• Preventing strokes and blood clots in people with atrial fibrillation, an irregular heart rhythm
• Treating deep vein thrombosis, or DVT, which are blood clots that form in deep leg veins
• Treating pulmonary embolism, or PE, which are blood clots that travel to the lungs
• Preventing DVT and PE from coming back after initial treatment
• Preventing blood clots after hip or knee replacement surgery

Eliquis works by blocking a specific protein in your blood called Factor Xa. This protein plays a key role in the clotting process that helps stop bleeding when you get injured. By blocking Factor Xa, Eliquis slows down your body's ability to form clots. This makes it harder for dangerous clots to develop in your blood vessels.

The medication does not actually thin your blood or make it less thick. Instead, it reduces the blood's ability to clot. This is why doctors call medications like Eliquis anticoagulants rather than blood thinners, even though blood thinner is the more common term. Eliquis starts working within a few hours of your first dose and reaches its full effect within 3 to 4 hours.

Most adults take Eliquis 5 mg twice daily, which means one tablet in the morning and one in the evening. Some people take a lower dose of 2.5 mg twice daily if they are older, weigh less, or have reduced kidney function. Your doctor will determine the right dose based on your specific situation. For treating active blood clots, you may start with 10 mg twice daily for the first week, then switch to 5 mg twice daily. Never adjust your dose without talking to your doctor first.

• Bleeding more easily than usual, including nosebleeds and bleeding gums
• Bruising more easily or developing larger bruises
• Heavier or longer menstrual periods in women
• Mild stomach discomfort or nausea
• Small cuts taking longer to stop bleeding

Serious side effects require immediate medical attention. Call 911 if you experience severe bleeding that will not stop, blood in your urine or stools, coughing up blood, vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds, severe headache or dizziness, weakness or numbness, or any signs of stroke. Because Eliquis reduces your blood's ability to clot, even minor injuries can lead to serious bleeding in rare cases.

• Other blood thinners like warfarin, heparin, or aspirin increase bleeding risk significantly
• NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and celecoxib raise bleeding risk when combined with Eliquis
• Ketoconazole, itraconazole, and other strong antifungal medications increase Eliquis levels in your blood
• Rifampin and other strong enzyme inducers decrease Eliquis effectiveness
• St. John's Wort can reduce how well Eliquis works
• People with artificial heart valves should not take Eliquis
• Active bleeding is a contraindication to starting Eliquis
• Severe liver disease that affects clotting makes Eliquis unsafe

Regular blood testing helps ensure Eliquis is working safely for your body. Your doctor will check your kidney function through creatinine tests because your kidneys clear Eliquis from your system. Reduced kidney function means the medication stays in your body longer, which could increase bleeding risk. Your doctor may also monitor your platelet count, which measures the cells that help your blood clot. Annual testing lets your doctor catch any kidney changes early and adjust your dose if needed. Rite Aid offers blood testing services that include kidney function and platelet counts, making it easy to stay on top of your health while taking Eliquis.