Uses
What is Eliquis used for?
Eliquis (apixaban) is commonly used for the following conditions.
- To prevent strokes and blood clots in people who have atrial fibrillation. People who have atrial fibrillation have an abnormal heartbeat that can cause a stroke.
- To prevent the formation of a deep vein thrombosis (also known as a DVT or blood clot in the veins) or pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lungs) after hip or knee replacement surgery
- To treat blood clots that can form in your veins or lungs and prevent them from happening again
Eliquis may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
How does Eliquis work (mechanism of action)?
Eliquis is a blood thinner. It blocks substances in your blood from forming a blood clot.
How is Eliquis supplied (dosage forms)?
Eliquis is available in the following dosage forms that are taken by mouth.
- 2.5 mg oral tablets
- 5 mg oral tablets
How should I store Eliquis?
Eliquis should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F to 86 F (15 C to 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store it in a place where children cannot reach it.
Side Effects
What are the most common side effects of Eliquis?
The most common side effect of Eliquis is bleeding. This can cause you to bruise easily and it may take longer for bleeding to stop. It can also be serious (see below). Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you.
There may be other side effects of Eliquis that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.
What are the serious side effects of Eliquis?
While less common, the most serious side effects of Eliquis are described below, along with what to do if they happen.
Severe Allergic Reactions. Eliquis may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking Eliquis and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.
- Breathing problems or wheezing
- Racing heart
- Fever or general ill feeling
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
- Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
- Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
- Stomach cramps
- Joint pain
Serious Bleeding. Eliquis can cause serious bleeding. In rare cases, this can lead to death. Some patients with serious bleeding may need a blood transfusion or surgery. Contact your healthcare provider right away if you fall or are injured because you may need to be checked for bleeding, including internal bleeding. This is especially important if you hit your head because head injuries can be very severe while taking blood thinners. Call your healthcare provider or go to the emergency room right away if you have any of the following signs of severe bleeding while taking Eliquis.
- Any bleeding that lasts a long time, will not stop, or is very severe
- Bleeding from the gums
- Frequent or severe nosebleeds
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding or very heavy menstrual periods
- Pink, red, or brown urine (pee)
- Blood in your stools (this may look red or black and tarry)
- Vomit with blood that looks like coffee grounds
- Headaches or feeling dizzy
- Coughing up blood or blood clots
Warnings & Precautions
Who should not use Eliquis?
Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take Eliquis.
- Eliquis
- Apixaban
- Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed
Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Eliquis.
Current Abnormal Bleeding. Since Eliquis can cause serious bleeding, people who currently have bleeding problems should avoid taking Eliquis.
Prosthetic Heart Valves. People who have had their heart valves replaced with certain heart valves should not take Eliquis because it has not been studied before.
What should I know about Eliquis before using it?
Do not take Eliquis unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Take it as prescribed.
Do not share Eliquis with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.
Keep Eliquis out of the reach of children.
Do not stop taking Eliquis without talking to your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider will decide how long you should take Eliquis for. Always refill your prescription before you run out of medicine so that you don’t run out or miss any doses. Stopping Eliquis can increase the risk for a blood clot or stroke.
Always tell all of your healthcare providers including the dentist that you are taking Eliquis. This is especially important before you have any procedures or surgeries, because you may need to stop or pause taking Eliquis beforehand. Your healthcare providers should all talk to the healthcare provider who prescribed Eliquis before they instruct you to stop taking it, even temporarily. You may have to take a different medicine to protect you from clotting while you are not taking Eliquis.
If you are taking Eliquis to prevent blood clots after hip or knee surgery, make sure you fill your prescription early and have your medicine available so that you do not miss doses when you are discharged from the hospital.
If you cannot swallow Eliquis tablets whole, reach out to your pharmacist or healthcare provider. They can help you find other ways to take your medicine.
If you take Eliquis and receive a spinal puncture or medicine injected into your spinal or epidural area, you may be at risk for forming spinal or epidural blood clots (hematoma). This can cause you to become permanently paralyzed. The risk is higher if you have received an epidural, if you take certain medicines called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), if you receive multiple repeated or troublesome spinal or epidural punctures, or if you have a history of spine problems or surgeries. Your healthcare provider will determine if you should receive spinal puncture or epidural injections and will watch for symptoms of complications. If you take Eliquis and have one of these procedures, let your healthcare provider know right away if you feel numbness or weakness in your legs or feet.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before using Eliquis?
Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if Eliquis is right for you.
In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.
Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.
- Kidney problems
- Liver Problems
- Bleeding problems
- Antiphospholipid syndrome, which is a disorder that causes abnormal clotting
Other Medicines and Supplements. Eliquis may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking Eliquis, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.
Pregnancy. Taking Eliquis during pregnancy is not recommended. It is not known if or how Eliquis could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. Talk to your healthcare provider about your risk for severe uterine bleeding if you take Eliquis.
Breastfeeding. It is not known if Eliquis passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should stop breastfeeding or stop Eliquis.
How can I get more information about Eliquis?
For more information about Eliquis, you can visit the manufacturer’s website at www.eliquis.bmscustomerconnect.com/ or call them at 855-354-7847.
Interactions
Does Eliquis interact with foods or drinks?
There are no known interactions between Eliquis and foods or drinks.
It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Eliquis, but both Eliquis and alcohol can increase your risk of bleeding. It is best to limit the amount of alcohol you drink.
Does Eliquis interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?
Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.
In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before using/taking Eliquis.
- Medicines used to treat fungal infections such as ketoconazole or itraconazole
- Ritonavir, which is medicine commonly used to treat HIV/AIDs and COVID
- Rifampin, which is a medicine commonly used to treat an infection called tuberculosis
- Carbamazepine (Tegretol, Carbatrol, and others), which is a medicine commonly used to treat seizures or nerve pain
- Phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek, and others), which is a medicine to control seizures
- St. John’s wort, which is a supplement that may be used to treat depression
- A selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), which is a medicine commonly used for anxiety and depression
- A serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), which is a medicine commonly used for anxiety and depression
- A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and others, which are contained in many prescription and OTC products for pain, swelling, and fever
- Any other blood thinner, which is a medicine used to treat or prevent blood clots such as warfarin (Coumadin or Jantoven) or medicines that contain heparin
- Medicine that affects platelets, including aspirin and others
Some other medicines may alter the blood levels of Eliquis. Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.
This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with Eliquis. Always check with your healthcare provider.
Overdose/Missed Dose
What should I do if I accidentally use too much Eliquis?
If you or someone else has used too much Eliquis, contact your healthcare professional, go to the nearest hospital emergency room, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.
What should I do if I miss a dose of Eliquis?
If you miss a dose of Eliquis, take it as soon as possible on the same day and continue to take it twice daily as prescribed. Do not take more than one dose at a time or double-up on doses to make up for a missed dose.