Skip to main content

Eliquis

Generic name: apixabana-PIX-a-ban ]
Drug class: Factor Xa inhibitors

Medically reviewed by Kaci Durbin, MD. Last updated on Oct 9, 2023.

What is Eliquis?

Eliquis blocks the activity of certain clotting substances in the blood.

Eliquis is used to lower the risk of stroke or a blood clot in people with a heart rhythm disorder called atrial fibrillation.

Eliquis reduces the risk of forming a blood clot in the legs and lungs of people who have just had hip or knee replacement surgery.

Eliquis treats blood clots in the veins of your legs (DVT - deep vein thrombosis) or lungs (pulmonary embolism), and reduce the risk of them occurring again.

Warnings

Eliquis increases your risk of severe or fatal bleeding, especially if you take certain medicines at the same time (including some over-the-counter medicines). It is very important to tell your doctor about all medicines you have recently used.

Call your doctor at once if you have signs of bleeding such as: swelling, pain, feeling very weak or dizzy, bleeding gums, nosebleeds, heavy menstrual periods or abnormal vaginal bleeding, blood in your urine, bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds, or any bleeding that will not stop.

Eliquis should be stopped 24-48 hours prior to any surgery, invasive procedure, or dental work. Tell your surgeon if you are taking Eliquis.

Eliquis can cause a very serious blood clot around your spinal cord that can lead to long-term or permanent paralysis. This type of blood clot can occur during a spinal tap or spinal anesthesia (epidural), especially if you have a genetic spinal defect, if you use a spinal catheter, if you've had spinal surgery or repeated spinal taps, or if you use

drugs that can affect blood clotting.

Eliquis can cause a very serious blood clot around your spinal cord if you undergo a spinal tap or receive spinal anesthesia (epidural), especially if you have a genetic spinal defect, if you have a spinal catheter in place, if you have a history of spinal surgery or repeated spinal taps, or if you are also using other drugs that can affect blood clotting. This type of blood clot can lead to long-term or permanent paralysis.

Get emergency medical help if you have symptoms of a spinal cord blood clot such as back pain, numbness or muscle weakness in your lower body, or loss of bladder or bowel control.

Do not stop taking Eliquis unless your doctor tells you to. Stopping suddenly can increase your risk of blood clot or stroke.

Before taking this medicine

You should not take Eliquis if you are allergic to apixaban, or if you have active bleeding from a surgery, injury, or other cause.

Eliquis may cause you to bleed more easily, especially if you have a bleeding disorder that is inherited or caused by disease.

Tell your doctor if you have an artificial heart valve, or if you have ever had:

Eliquis can cause a very serious blood clot around your spinal cord if you undergo a spinal tap or receive spinal anesthesia (epidural). This type of blood clot could cause long-term paralysis, and may be more likely to occur if:

Taking Eliquis may increase the risk of bleeding while you are pregnant or during your delivery. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Do not breastfeed.

How should I take Eliquis?

Take Eliquis exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose.

You may take Eliquis with or without food.

If you cannot swallow a tablet whole, crush it and mix with water, apple juice, or applesauce. Swallow the mixture right away without chewing.

A crushed tablet mixture may also be given through a nasogastric (NG) feeding tube. Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine.

Eliquis can make it easier for you to bleed, even from a minor injury. Seek medical attention if you have bleeding that will not stop.

Tell your doctor if you have a planned surgery or dental work. You may need to stop taking Eliquis for a short time.

Do not stop taking Eliquis unless your doctor tells you to.

If you stop taking Eliquis for any reason, your doctor may prescribe another medicine to prevent blood clots.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Dosing information

Usual Adult of Eliquis Dose for Deep Vein Thrombosis -- Prophylaxis:

DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS (DVT) PROPHYLAXIS FOLLOWING HIP OR KNEE REPLACEMENT SURGERY:
2.5 mg orally twice a day

Duration of therapy:
-Hip replacement: 35 days
-Knee replacement: 12 days

Comments: The initial dose should be taken 12 to 24 hours after surgery.

Use: Prophylaxis of DVT, which may lead to pulmonary embolism (PE), in patients who have undergone hip or knee replacement surgery.


RECURRENT DVT AND PE RISK REDUCTION:
2.5 mg orally twice a day.

Usual Adult Dose of Eliquis for Deep Vein Thrombosis Prophylaxis after Hip Replacement Surgery:

DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS (DVT) PROPHYLAXIS FOLLOWING HIP OR KNEE REPLACEMENT SURGERY:
2.5 mg orally twice a day

Duration of therapy:
-Hip replacement: 35 days
-Knee replacement: 12 days

Comments: The initial dose should be taken 12 to 24 hours after surgery.

Use: Prophylaxis of DVT, which may lead to pulmonary embolism (PE), in patients who have undergone hip or knee replacement surgery.


RECURRENT DVT AND PE RISK REDUCTION:
2.5 mg orally twice a day.

Adult Dose for of Eliquis Deep Vein Thrombosis Prophylaxis after Knee Replacement Surgery:

DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS (DVT) PROPHYLAXIS FOLLOWING HIP OR KNEE REPLACEMENT SURGERY:
2.5 mg orally twice a day

Duration of therapy:
-Hip replacement: 35 days
-Knee replacement: 12 days

Comments: The initial dose should be taken 12 to 24 hours after surgery.

Use: Prophylaxis of DVT, which may lead to pulmonary embolism (PE), in patients who have undergone hip or knee replacement surgery.


RECURRENT DVT AND PE RISK REDUCTION:
2.5 mg orally twice a day.

Usual Adult Dose of Eliquis for Prevention of Thromboembolism in Atrial Fibrillation:

5 mg orally 2 times a day

Use: Reduction of risk of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation.

Usual Adult Dose of Eliquis for Thromboembolic Stroke Prophylaxis:

5 mg orally 2 times a day

Use: Reduction of risk of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation.

Adult Dose for Deep Vein Thrombosis:

Initial dose: 10 mg orally 2 times a day for 7 days
Maintenance dose: 5 mg orally 2 times a day

Use: Treatment of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.

Usual Adult Dose for Pulmonary Embolism:

Initial dose: 10 mg orally 2 times a day for 7 days
Maintenance dose: 5 mg orally 2 times a day

Use: Treatment of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose on the same day you remember it. Take your next dose at the regular time and stay on your twice-daily schedule. Do not take two doses at one time.

Get your prescription refilled before you run out of Eliquis completely.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking Eliquis?

Avoid activities that may increase your risk of bleeding or injury. Use extra care while shaving or brushing your teeth.

Eliquis side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Eliquis: hives; chest pain, wheezing, difficult breathing; feeling light-headed; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Also seek emergency medical attention if you have symptoms of a spinal blood clot such as tingling, numbness, or muscle weakness especially in your legs and feet.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Eliquis?

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

Many other drugs (including some over-the-counter medicines) can increase your risk of bleeding or blood clots. Tell your doctor about all medicines you have recently used, especially:

This list is not complete and many other drugs may interact with apixaban. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Popular FAQ

Eliquis is an anticoagulant that is preferred over older anticoagulants, such as warfarin, because it doesn’t require regular blood tests, has fewer drug and food interactions, and it is less likely to cause bleeding. Although Eliquis is generally well tolerated, like any medication, it does have some side effects. We look in detail at six of the most common side effects of Eliquis:

  • Slight bleeding
  • Severe bleeding
  • Feeling sick (nausea)
  • Spinal blood clots
  • Increased liver enzymes and liver injury
  • Blood clots when stopping Eliquis.
Continue reading

Follow your healthcare provider's instructions when switching from Eliquis to Xarelto. When switching from Eliquis to Xarelto you should stop taking Eliquis and then start taking Xarelto at the time your next dose of Eliquis is due. Do not take Eliquis and Xarelto at the same time. Continue reading

Feverfew, an herbal supplement that is a member of the daisy family, may interact with over 40 medicines. This includes drugs used to help prevent blood clots like the anticoagulant warfarin. Continue reading

Xarelto (rivaroxaban) and Eliquis (apixaban) are novel anticoagulants that make blood less likely to clot (also called thinning the blood). Both belong to the class of medicines known as factor Xa (FXa) inhibitors and they are two of the most popular blood thinners on the market. Either one may be used to reduce the risk of stroke or treat and prevent blood clots in conditions such as DVT. Continue reading

Andexxa injection is an antidote that can be used for patients being treated with rivaroxaban (Xarelto) or apixaban (Eliquis) when reversal of anticoagulation (blood thinning) is needed due to life-threatening or uncontrolled bleeding. Continue reading

More FAQ

View more FAQ

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Eliquis only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.