Apixaban

1 medicine

Apixaban is a direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) that prevents and treats blood clots by blocking factor Xa, and stopping it suddenly sharply raises your risk of a clot.

Eliquis

Apixaban

2.5/5mg

Eliquis is a heart blood pressure medication containing Apixaban, available as 2.5/5mg tablets.

from $0.43 / tablet View

Key facts

  • Apixaban (brand name Eliquis) is a direct oral anticoagulant, or DOAC. It blocks factor Xa, a protein the body needs to form blood clots.
  • You take it as a fixed dose, usually twice daily, and it needs no routine blood testing.
  • Never stop apixaban without medical advice. Stopping it suddenly, even for a few days, sharply raises your risk of a stroke or clot; your prescriber will tell you exactly when to pause it before surgery.
  • Seek urgent care for black or bloody stools, blood in urine or vomit, a sudden severe headache, or bruising that spreads.

What apixaban treats

Apixaban prevents stroke and blood clots in people with atrial fibrillation, an irregular heart rhythm. It treats deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, and prevents these clots recurring after an initial course of treatment. It is also used for several weeks after hip or knee replacement surgery to prevent clots forming in the leg veins.

How apixaban works

Apixaban binds to and blocks factor Xa, an enzyme that sits near the end of the clotting cascade and converts prothrombin into thrombin. With factor Xa blocked, far less thrombin is generated, so blood is much slower to form a clot. Because it targets one specific step at a fixed dose, its effect is predictable and, unlike warfarin, needs no routine blood-level monitoring.

Before you take it

  • Your prescriber will lower your dose if you are over 80, weigh 60kg or less, or have reduced kidney function; apixaban is partly cleared by the kidneys and can build up if they decline.
  • Tell your prescriber about any bleeding disorder, active stomach ulcer, liver disease, or recent surgery.
  • Apixaban has far fewer food interactions than warfarin; you do not need to monitor vitamin K intake. It still interacts with other blood thinners, some antifungal and HIV medicines, and regular high-dose anti-inflammatory painkillers.
  • Avoid it in pregnancy or breastfeeding unless your prescriber advises otherwise.

Side effects

Common effects include easy bruising, minor nosebleeds, and mild stomach upset.

Stop and seek urgent medical care for any of these:

  • Black or tarry stools, blood in urine or vomit, or bleeding that will not stop.
  • A sudden severe headache, confusion, or weakness on one side of the body.
  • Unusual or spreading bruising, or heavy bleeding after a minor injury.

Safety essentials

  • Do not stop taking apixaban abruptly or skip doses without medical advice. Stopping suddenly is strongly linked to clots and stroke; ask your prescriber when to pause it before any surgery or dental work.
  • Kidney function determines your dose. Tell your prescriber about any new kidney problem or dehydration, since worsening function can mean your current dose is now too high.
  • Apixaban still carries a serious bleeding risk even though it needs none of the food restrictions warfarin does; tell every clinician you take it before any procedure.

This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.