Apixaban
About Apixaban
Apixaban is a prescription medicine anticoagulant (blood thinner) used to prevent and treat harmful blood clots. It helps reduce the risk of stroke in people with certain heart rhythm disorders and prevents clot-related complications such as deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.
For the best results, you must take Apixaban consistently every day at the exact times recommended by your healthcare provider. You can take this tablet with or without food, making it easy to fit into your daily routine. Staying hydrated and engaging in light, safe physical activities like walking can also help support healthy blood circulation while on this medication.
While taking Apixaban, some people may experience mild side effects, with minor bleeding or bruising being the most common. It is crucial to monitor your body closely and consult your doctor immediately if you notice serious symptoms, such as unusual bleeding that will not stop, dark urine, or severe dizziness.
Do not take this if you have active, severe bleeding or a mechanical heart valve. Before starting Apixaban, talk to your doctor if you have liver damage, kidney disease, or a history of bleeding disorders to ensure this treatment is safe for you.
This medicine can interact with other blood thinners, certain pain relievers like aspirin, and some herbal supplements, which can increase your risk of bleeding. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or an older adult, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the risks and benefits before starting treatment.
Uses of Apixaban
Medicinal Benefits
Apixaban contains apixaban, which helps prevent harmful blood clots from forming and reduces the risk of serious clot-related complications. Its benefits include:
- Reduces Stroke Risk: Helps lower the risk of stroke and other clot-related complications in people with conditions that increase blood clot formation.
- Prevents Blood Clots: Helps prevent the formation of blood clots in the legs, lungs, and other parts of the body.
- Supports Recovery After Surgery: Helps reduce the risk of blood clots following major hip or knee replacement surgery, supporting a safer recovery.
- No Routine Blood Monitoring Required: Unlike some older blood thinners, Apixaban does not usually require frequent blood tests to monitor its effect.
- Offers Convenient Long-Term Protection: Provides effective clot prevention without major dietary restrictions, making long-term treatment easier to manage.
Directions for Use
Follow these clear steps to get the maximum benefit from treatment with Apixaban safely:
- Swallow the tablet whole with a full glass of water.
- You may take this medication with or without food.
- If you have trouble swallowing the tablet, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about crushing it and mixing it with water or applesauce.
- Take this medicine at the exact same times every day to keep a steady amount in your body.
- Always follow your doctor's exact instructions regarding how and when to take your medication. Do not change your dose or stop taking it without consulting them first.
Storage
Side Effects of Apixaban
Common Side Effects (Usually mild)
- Easy bruising
- Minor bleeding, such as occasional nosebleeds or bleeding gums when brushing teeth
- Nausea
- Anaemia, which can make you feel unusually tired or pale
Serious Side Effects (Consult your doctor right away)
- Heavy or unstoppable bleeding, including coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds
- Black, tarry, or bloody stools
- Severe dizziness, fainting, or sudden, unexplained weakness
- Signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling of the face, lips, or throat, or trouble breathing
Medicines Containing this Salt
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Drug Warnings
- Tell all healthcare providers: Always inform your dentists, surgeons, and other doctors that you are taking Apixaban before any medical or dental procedure, as you may need to temporarily stop taking it.
- Do not stop abruptly: Never stop taking this medication without your doctor's direct advice. Stopping suddenly can greatly increase your risk of forming a dangerous blood clot or suffering a stroke.
- Monitor for bleeding: Check your body daily for unusual bruises, red or dark brown urine, or black stools, which can be early warning signs of internal bleeding.
- Avoid self-medicating with pain relievers: Do not take over-the-counter pain medications like ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin unless specifically approved by your doctor, as they can double your bleeding risk.
- Wear medical alert identification: Carry a medical alert card or wear a bracelet stating that you take Apixaban so emergency responders are aware in an accident.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions
Inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines, as they may interact with Apixaban:
- Other Blood Thinners and NSAIDs: Taking Apixaban with blood thinners such as heparin or warfarin, aspirin, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen may significantly increase the risk of bleeding.
- Certain Antifungal Medicines: Medicines such as ketoconazole may increase Apixaban levels in the body and raise the risk of bleeding.
- Certain Seizure Medicines and St. John's Wort: Medicines such as carbamazepine and herbal products containing St. John's Wort may reduce the effectiveness of Apixaban and increase the risk of blood clots.
Drug-Food Interactions
- Alcohol: Excessive alcohol consumption may increase the risk of bleeding and should be avoided or limited.
Drug-Disease Interactions
Inform your doctor if you have a history of the following conditions before taking Apixaban, as it may worsen your condition or require closer monitoring.
- Active Bleeding: Apixaban is not recommended for people with active bleeding because it may worsen bleeding and increase the risk of serious complications.
- Severe Liver Disease: This medicine may not be suitable for individuals with severe liver damage due to an increased risk of bleeding.
- Mechanical Heart Valves: Apixaban is not recommended for people with mechanical heart valves.
- Kidney Disease: Use this medicine with caution if you have kidney disease, as your doctor may need to adjust your treatment or monitor you more closely.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeYou are recommended not to consume more than 14 units per week as exceeding this may increase the risk of bleeding.
Pregnancy
consult your doctorApixaban is a Category B pregnancy drug and is given to pregnant women only if doctor thinks benefits outweigh risks.
Breast Feeding
unsafeAvoid breastfeeding while taking Apixaban as it may be excreted in breast milk and cause adverse effects in the baby.
Driving
safe if prescribedApixaban usually does not affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.
Liver
cautionTake Apixaban with caution, especially if you have a history of liver disease. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Kidney
cautionTake Apixaban with caution, especially if you have a history of kidney disease. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Children
unsafeApixaban is not recommended for children below 18 years of age as the safety and efficacy is not mentioned.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Choose safe activities: Avoid contact sports or activities that carry a high risk of falling or head injury, as even minor injuries can cause serious internal bleeding.
- Use personal care caution: Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and waxed dental floss to protect your gums. Use an electric razor instead of a manual blade to prevent skin cuts.
- Keep diet consistent: Unlike older blood thinners, you do not need to avoid foods containing Vitamin K, but you should still avoid making sudden, extreme changes to your daily eating habits.
- Limit alcohol intake: Drink alcohol only in moderation, if at all, as alcohol can increase your risk of stomach bleeding while on this medicine.
- Stay active safely: Regular, low-impact exercise like walking helps maintain healthy circulation. Talk to your doctor before starting any new fitness routine.
Special Advise
Complete blood count (CBC), INR test, prothrombin tests are advised before and while taking Apixaban.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Deep vein thrombosis is a medical condition in which blood clots form in deep veins, usually in the legs. The symptoms include leg pain or swelling.
Pulmonary embolism is a condition that occurs when blood clots break and travel to the lungs from deep veins in the legs or other parts of the body. The symptoms of pulmonary embolism include cough, chest pain and shortness of breath. Quick medication is advised to reduce the risk of serious conditions due to blood clots.
Atrial fibrillation is a condition that causes an irregular, often fast heartbeat. In the atrial fibrillation condition, blood clots are formed as blood is pooled in the upper chambers of the heart.
FAQs
Apixaban is used to prevent and treat deep vein thrombosis (blood clots in leg veins) and pulmonary embolism (blood clots in the lung). Additionally, it is used to prevent blood clots in patients with atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat). Apixaban works by inhibiting the action of blood clotting factor (X a), which is an important element of blood clotting.
No, you are not recommended to take ibuprofen with Apixaban as co-administration of these two medicines may increase the risk of bleeding more easily. However, if you notice blood in urine or stools, dizziness, unusual bleeding or bruising, red or black tarry stools, vomiting, weakness or headache, please consult a doctor immediately. If you are supposed to use these medicines together, you are advised to contact your doctor so that the dose may be adjusted appropriately to use safely.
No, you are usually not advised to have a tattoo or body piercing while taking Apixaban as it may increase the risk of bleeding and infection. If you still wish to proceed further, contact your doctor so that the dose may be adjusted or any antibiotics may be prescribed and let the piercer or tattooist know in advance that you are on treatment with a blood thinner.
Yes, you are advised to stop taking Apixaban a few days before surgery or procedure as Apixaban may increase the risk of bleeding. Therefore, before having any procedure or any surgery, please inform your doctor that you are taking Apixaban.
Yes, Apixaban helps in reducing the risk of stroke and heart attack by preventing blood clots. Stroke is caused as blood clots break off and travel to brain.
No, you are not recommended to stop taking Apixaban without consulting your doctor as it may worsen the condition. Therefore, take Apixaban for as long as your doctor has prescribed it.
If you have difficulty swallowing the tablet whole, please consult your doctor about alternative methods for taking Apixaban. The tablet can be crushed and mixed with water, 5% glucose in water, apple juice, or apple puree just before consumption.
If you miss a dose of Apixaban, take it as soon as you remember. Take the next dose of Apixaban at the usual time and then continue as normal.
Side effects of Apixaban include nausea, anaemia (lack of blood), and unusual bleeding, including swelling and bruising. Most of these side effects may not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
If you have atrial fibrillation (a condition in which the heart beats irregularly) and are taking Apixaban to help prevent strokes or serious blood clots, in that case, you may be at a higher risk of having a stroke if you stop taking this medication. Besides this, you may be at risk of having a blood clot form in or around your spine that could cause paralysis if you have epidural or spinal anaesthesia or a spinal puncture while taking a blood thinner such as Apixaban.
Yes, Apixaban is a blood thinner. It belongs to the class of medicines known as factor Xa inhibitors which help prevent the formation of blood clots.
Symptoms of Apixaban overdose are unusual bleeding or bruising; red, brown, or pink urine; red or black, tarry stools; and coughing up or vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds. Consult the doctor if you experience these symptoms or if you have taken an overdose.
You should limit your alcohol intake while taking Apixaban. Regular or heavy drinking can increase your risk of stomach ulcers and bleeding. Talk to your doctor about what is safe for you.
For minor cuts, apply firm, direct pressure with a clean cloth for at least 10 to 15 minutes. If the bleeding does not stop after applying pressure, or if you experience a severe injury, seek emergency medical help immediately. Talk to your doctor if you experience frequent bleeding.
Unlike older blood thinners, Apixaban does not require routine, ongoing blood tests to monitor how quickly your blood clots. However, your doctor will still perform occasional blood tests to check your kidney and liver function. Talk to your doctor to learn more.
Apixaban is generally not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding, as its safety for unborn babies and infants is not fully established, and it may increase the risk of bleeding. Your doctor will help you find a safer alternative. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
No, Apixaban can be taken with or without food, and its absorption is not affected by meals. You do not need to restrict specific foods, but keeping a consistent diet is always recommended. Talk to your doctor if you have any dietary concerns.
Apixaban does not directly dissolve blood clots. Instead, it prevents existing clots from getting larger and helps stop new clots from forming while your body's natural processes gradually break down the clot over time. Talk to your doctor for more information about your treatment plan.
