What is Apixaban?
Apixaban is a prescription drug that comes in the form of an oral tablet. It is available in the brand name drug called Eliquis. The medication is used for lowering the risk of blood clots and stroke if you are having atrial fibrillation without an artificial heart valve.
Apixaban belongs to the class of drugs called anticoagulants factor Xa blockers. The medication is a blood thinner and helps in preventing blood clots from forming in the body. It does this by blocking the substance factor Xa which in turn decreases the amount of enzyme thrombin in the blood.
Apixaban Uses
Apixaban is used to help prevent strokes and blood clots in people who are having atrial fibrillation and this disease is not caused by heart valve disease. The medication is also used to prevent deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in people who are having hip or knee replacement surgery. Apixaban is also used for the prevention of DVT and PE. The medication helps by blocking the action of certain natural substances which help blood clots to form.
Apixaban Side Effects
Some of the common side effects of Apixaban areBleeding. It includes some symptoms such as:
- Nose bleeds
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
- Bleeding of gums while brushing
Serious bleeding. It includes some symptoms like:
Spinal or epidural blood clots. It includes symptoms like:
- Tingling
- Numbness
- Muscle weakness
If you have any of these serious symptoms immediately contact your doctor for further assistance. In any case, due to Apixaban if you get any kind of reactions in your body try avoiding it.
A doctor advised you to take the medicines by seeing your problems and the benefits of this medicine is greater than the side effects. Majority of the people who use this medicine don’t show any side effects. Get medical help immediately if you get any serious Apixaban side effects.
Precautions
Before taking Apixaban talk to your doctor if you are allergic to it or any other medication. The product may contain some inactive ingredient that can cause some serious allergic reaction or problem to your body.
Before using the medication talk to your doctor if you are having any of the medical history such as:
- Liver disease
- Kidney disease
- Bleeding problems
- Blood disorders
- Major surgery
- Stroke
- Clotting disorder
Talk to your doctor if you have a heart valve or if you have heavy bleeding anywhere in the body which can’t be stopped.
How to take Apixaban?
Apixaban comes in the form of a tablet. Apixaban medication should usually be taken with or without food twice a day. When Apixaban is taken for prevention of DVT and PE after hip or Knee replacement surgery the first dosage should be taken in 12 to 24 hours of surgery. Apixaban is taken for 35 days after hip replacement surgery and for 12 days after knee replacement surgery. Try to take Apixaban every day at the same time to avoid any confusion.
If you are not able to swallow the tablet you can crush and mix it with water or juice.
Dosage
Drug form and strengths
Brand
Eliquis
- Form: oral tablet
- Strengths: 2.5 mg and 5 mg
Adult dosage for reducing stroke and blood clots
-5 mg tablet should be taken 2 times per day
Adult dosage to reduce the risk of blood clots
-2.5 mg tablet should be taken 2 times per day
Adult dosage for reducing the risk of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism
-2.5 mg tablet should be taken 2 times per day
Missed Dose
Missing one or two-dose of Apixaban won’t show any effect on your body. The skipped dose causes no problem. But with some medication, it won’t work if you don’t take the dosage on time. If you miss a dose some sudden chemical change may affect your body. In some cases, your doctor would advise you to take the prescribed medicine as soon as possible if you have missed the dose.
Overdose
Overdose of a drug can be accidental. If you have taken more than the prescribed Apixaban tablets there is a chance of getting a harmful effect on your body’s functions. Overdose of a medicine can lead to some medical emergency.
Allergy Warning
- Chest pain or tightness
- Swelling of face
- Breathing problem
- Dizziness
Warnings for some serious health conditions
For people with liver problems
If you have severe liver problems, you should not take this drug. This medicine is processed by your liver. If your liver is not working well, more of the drug may remain in your body.
For people with kidney problems
If you have severe kidney problems, you may need a lower dose of this medicine. If your kidneys are not working well, more of the medicine may stay in your body.
For people with active bleeding
If you are bleeding or losing blood, you should not take this medicine. It can increase your risk of serious or fatal bleeding.
Storage
Direct contact with heat, air and light may damage your medicines. The exposure of medicine may cause some harmful effects. The medicine must be kept in a safe place and out of children’s reach.
Mainly the drug should be kept at room temperature between 68ºF and 77ºF (20ºC and 25ºC).
Before taking Apixaban consult your Doctor. In case if you face any problems or get any side effects after taking Apixaban rush immediately to your nearby hospital or consult your doctor for better treatment. Carry your medications always in your bag while travelling to avoid any immediate emergencies. Follow your prescription and follow your Doctor advice whenever you take Apixaban.
Apixaban vs Warfarin
| Apixaban | Warfarin |
|---|---|
| Apixaban is a prescription drug that comes in the form of an oral tablet. It is available in the brand name drug called Eliquis. | Warfarin is an oral anticoagulant. It’s a drug which inhibits the clotting of blood. This helps in preventing the formation of blood clots by reducing the production of factors from the liver that promotes clotting. |
| Apixaban is used to help prevent strokes and blood clots in the people who are having atrial fibrillation and this disease is not caused by heart valve disease. | The important uses of Warfarin are:
|
Some of the common side effects of Apixaban are:
|
Some of the common side effects of Warfarin are:
|
