Apixaban

Description

Apixaban is an anticoagulant medication used to prevent and treat blood clots. It is used as prophylaxis in treating Deep vein thrombosis (formation of a blood clot in one or more of the deep veins in your body (usually in your legs)) and Pulmonary embolism (a condition in which one or more arteries in your lungs become blocked by a blood clot). Apixaban works by blocking thrombin in your body that is involved in blood clot formation. Apixaban may cause side effects such as indigestion, stomach pain, diarrhoea, nausea, etc. Consult your doctor if these symptoms persist or worsen. This medicine may sometimes cause bleeding. Hence inform your doctor if you have any history of bleeding disorders before taking Apixaban. It also increases the risk of bleeding in case of cuts and burns. Apixaban is not recommended for use if you are allergic to it. Apixaban is a prescription medicine. It can be taken with or without food. Take it in the dose and for the duration prescribed by your doctor. Take it at the same time every day to maintain a constant level of this medicine in your body. Never take more than the prescribed dose as it can lead to serious side effects. Do not stop taking this medicine without consulting your doctor. Apixaban is not recommended for use in children below 18 years of age. Inform your doctor if you have pre-existing kidney or liver problems before beginning treatment with this medicine. Close evaluation concerning your current medicines is necessary to avoid any undesired side effects. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or are planning a pregnancy, consult your doctor before taking this medication.

Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Apixaban

  • Constipation
  • Dizziness
  • Nose bleed
  • Skin rash
  • Stomach pain
  • Headache
  • Redness of the eye
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Swelling of face, lips, eyelids, and tongue

Uses of Apixaban

What is it prescribed for?

  • Prophylaxis for Deep Vein Thrombosis
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Concerns

Commonly asked questions

  • Onset of action
    The effect of Apixaban can be observed within 3 to 4 hours of intake.
  • Duration of effect
    The effect of Apixaban lasts for an average duration of 24 hours.
  • Safe with alcohol?
    Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
  • Is it habit forming?
    No habit-forming tendencies have been reported for Apixaban.
  • Usage in pregnancy?
    Apixaban is not recommended for use in pregnancy unless necessary as it may cause side effects in your developing foetus. If you are pregnant, consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
  • Usage while breast-feeding?
    It is not known whether Apixaban passes into breastmilk or not. Hence this medicine is not recommended during breastfeeding unless necessary. If you are breastfeeding, consult your doctor before taking this medicine.

Allergy

Avoid taking Apixaban if you are allergic to it. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc.

Bleeding disorder

Apixaban is not recommended for use if you have active bleeding disorders or if you have any conditions that may increase your risk of bleeding such as stomach ulcers (painful sores on the inner lining of your stomach), injury/bleeding in your brain, recent surgery of your brain/eyes, etc., due to the increased risk of heavy bleeding and further worsening of your condition.

Severe liver disease

Apixaban is not recommended for use if you have severe liver problems due to the increased risk of liver damage.
Warnings for special population

Pregnancy

Apixaban is not recommended for use in pregnancy unless necessary as it may cause side effects in your developing foetus. If you are pregnant, consult your doctor before taking this medicine.

Breast-feeding

It is not known whether Apixaban passes into breastmilk or not. Hence this medicine is not recommended during breastfeeding unless necessary. If you are breastfeeding, consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
General warnings

Kidney diseases

Apixaban may increase the risk of bleeding if you have severe kidney problems. Your doctor may adjust the dose of this medicine or prescribe a suitable alternative based on your condition.

Use in cildren

Apixaban is not recommended for use in children below 18 years of age as the safety and efficacy data are not available.

Missed Dose

Do not skip any dose of Apixaban. If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to compensate for a missed one.

Overdose

Never take more than the prescribed dose. Contact your doctor immediately if you suspect that you have taken an overdose of Apixaban.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol

Description

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.

Instructions

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine

Clarithromycin

Escitalopram

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Disease interactions

Bleeding disorders

Apixaban may increase the risk of bleeding if you have haemophilia (a genetic bleeding disorder) or any gastrointestinal bleeding caused by ulcers. Your doctor may adjust the dose of this medicine or prescribe a suitable alternative based on your condition.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Apixaban with or without food. Do not take more or fewer doses than prescribed. Do not stop taking this medicine without consulting your doctor as it may worsen your condition. Initially, your doctor will prescribe a low dose of Apixaban and gradually increase the dose based on the therapeutic response. Apixaban may increase your risk of bleeding. Inform your doctor if you experience any signs and symptoms such as dizziness, lightheadedness, red/black tarry stools, coughing up or vomiting blood, severe headache, heavy menstrual bleeding, and weakness. Apixaban may decrease your haemoglobin level, platelet and red blood cell count. Your doctor may suggest tests to monitor your total blood count as needed. Keep away from the reach of children and pets. Do not use it after the date of expiry. Any unused medication should be discarded properly.
Miscelleneous

Can be taken with or without food, as advised by your doctor

To be taken as instructed by doctor

Effect on sleep is not established

How it works
Apixaban belongs to a group of medicines called anticoagulants (blood thinners). It works by blocking a substance (thrombin) in your body that is involved in the formation of blood clots.
Legal Status

Approved

Approved

Approved

Approved

Classification

Category

Factor Xa inhibitors, Anticoagulants

Schedule

Schedule H

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https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/24988>

Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. DailyMed - ELIQUIS- apixaban tablet, film coatedELIQUIS 30-DAY STARTER PACK- apixaban kit. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 30 November 2021].

https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=e9481622-7cc6-418a-acb6-c5450daae9b0>

Drugs, H., 2021. Apixaban: MedlinePlus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: < [Accessed 30 November 2021].

https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a613032.html>

Ebs.tga.gov.au. 2021. TGA eBS - Product and Consumer Medicine Information Licence. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 30 November 2021].

https://www.ebs.tga.gov.au/ebs/picmi/picmirepository.nsf/pdf?OpenAgent&id=CP-2011-PI-03072-3>

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Information on this page was last updated on 22 Dec 2021

Disclaimer

We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.