Author: Alex Thompson

Apixaban Eliquis: Uses & Side Effects

what is the drug eliquis for

These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care. But older people are more likely to have medical conditions than younger people. Having certain medical conditions may increase the risk of side effects from taking Eliquis. For more information, see the “Warnings for Eliquis” section below.

Below are answers to some questions you may have about taking Eliquis. To learn more, refer to this article about the dosages of Eliquis. Water retention wasn’t reported in clinical studies of Eliquis. However, water retention typically causes swelling that’s known as edema. You may wonder how often certain side effects occur with this drug. Here’s some detail on certain side effects this drug may cause.

Brand-name medications usually cost more than generics. Here is a list of conditions that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Eliquis and Xarelto to treat. You may wonder how Eliquis compares with other medications that are prescribed for similar uses. Here we look at how Eliquis and Xarelto are alike and different. You can also refer to this article for a detailed comparison of the drugs.

what is the drug eliquis for

Taking Eliquis reduces your risk for blood clots, but it’s still possible for them to form while you’re taking the drug. People with triple-positive APS may have an increased risk of blood clots from Eliquis. Before starting Eliquis treatment, tell your doctor if you have triple-positive APS. They’ll likely recommend a medication other than Eliquis for your condition.

Is Eliquis a blood thinner, or anticoagulant?

But if they become more severe or don’t go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Talk with your doctor about your health history before starting Eliquis. Eliquis comes with several warnings, which may affect whether the drug is a good treatment for your condition. If you’re concerned about kidney-related side effects occurring during Eliquis treatment, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. If you’re concerned about side effects that you may have while taking a higher dosage of Eliquis, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Taking Eliquis may increase the risk of bleeding while you are pregnant or during your delivery.

  1. Eliquis starts working within 3 to 4 hours after you take your first dose.
  2. Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects.
  3. To help make sure you don’t miss a dose, you can also use a medication reminder.
  4. Taking certain HIV drugs with Eliquis can increase the level of Eliquis in your body.

No, older people do not seem to have a higher risk of side effects from Eliquis than younger people. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances. Tell your doctor if you have a planned surgery or dental work. Eliquis should be stopped hours prior to any surgery, invasive procedure, or dental work.

How does Eliquis affect INR?

When you get Eliquis from the pharmacy, the pharmacist will add an expiration date to the label on the packet. This date is typically 1 year from the date they dispensed the medication. It’s not known if Eliquis is safe to take during pregnancy. If you think you’ve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor. This should only be done under the supervision of your doctor. Talk with your doctor about pausing your Eliquis treatment if you have a surgery scheduled.

what is the drug eliquis for

You may need to take Eliquis® if you have an operation to replace your knee or hip. Other people need it to prevent a clot, even if they haven’t had one before. Eliquis starts working within 3 to 4 hours after you take your first dose. However, you need to take it twice every day to make sure there’s always enough medication in your body to help stop blood clots from forming. Both drugs were similarly effective at reducing the risk of stroke caused by a blood clot. However, people who took Eliquis were less likely to have a stroke caused by a bleed in the brain compared with people who took warfarin.

If you have liver problems, tell your doctor before you start taking this drug. This will help them determine if Eliquis may be a safe treatment option for you. In some cases, they may recommend a different medication. Eliquis is used to lower the risk of stroke or a blood clot in people with a heart rhythm disorder called atrial fibrillation.

In two clinical studies, Eliquis was found to be effective for preventing blood clots and strokes. The other compared Eliquis with aspirin in adults who couldn’t take warfarin. Eliquis works to prevent blood clots from occurring or to treat a blood clot that you already have. But if you stop taking Eliquis before it’s recommended, you may have an increased risk of blood clots.

Eliquis and alcohol

This helps prevent others, including children and pets, from taking the drug by accident. It also helps keep the drug from harming the environment. Using more than the recommended dosage of Eliquis increases the risk of serious, life threatening bleeding.

Before taking this medicine

It contains the active drug apixaban, a selective inhibitor of blood clotting factor Xa. Apixaban binds to and inhibits free and clot-bound factor Xa. This reduces the formation of thrombin, and subsequently fibrin, in the clotting cascade. Fibrin binds platelets together to form clots, so apixaban reduces clot formation. INR is used to describe the results of a lab test called prothrombin time (PT).

It’s recommended that you do not stop taking Eliquis without first talking with your doctor. No, you shouldn’t experience withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking Eliquis suddenly. Enoxaparin and warfarin are effective anticoagulants that are commonly used to treat blood clots. Enoxaparin is given by injection, and warfarin is taken by mouth. Warfarin takes a few days to build up its effect, so enoxaparin is given along with warfarin for the first few days of treatment.

And if you’re taking Eliquis to prevent blood clots and stroke because you have AFib, you’ll likely need to take it long term. A lower dosage of Eliquis is sometimes recommended for preventing blood clots and stroke in older adults with AFib. You may need to stop taking Eliquis temporarily before certain surgical, medical, or dental procedures. In this case, your doctor will tell you when to stop Eliquis and when to start taking it again. And they may prescribe another drug to help prevent blood clots while you’re not taking Eliquis. Edema can sometimes be a symptom of a blood clot, such as a deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

Unlike certain other pain relievers, Eliquis doesn’t interact with Tylenol. If you need a pain reliever or treatment for fever while you’re taking Eliquis, it’s safe to take Tylenol. If you’re taking an antiplatelet drug, ask your doctor if you should continue taking it when you start Eliquis.