Generic Name: apixaban
Brand Name: Eliquis
Drug Class: Anticoagulants, Cardiovascular, Factor Xa Inhibitors
What is apixaban, and what is it used for?
Apixaban is an anticoagulant (blood thinner) used for reducing the risk of blood clots in the heart and strokes in patients with atrial fibrillation who have no problems with their heart valves (nonvalvular atrial fibrillation). Apixaban is also used to treat and prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) in patients who have undergone hip or knee replacement surgery.
- Apixaban is used for reducing the risk of blood clots in the heart and strokes in patients with atrial fibrillation who have no problems with their heart valves (nonvalvular atrial fibrillation).
- It also is used for treating and preventing deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism in patients who have undergone hip or knee replacement surgery.
What are the side effects of apixaban?
The most common side effects of apixaban involves bleeding in the:
- stomach,
- intestines,
- brain, and
- eyes.
Bleeding due to apixaban may be fatal.
Major bleeding events were fewer in patients who received apixaban when compared to a similar group that received warfarin (Jantoven), another widely used drug for preventing blood clots.
What is the dosage for apixaban?
- The usual dose in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation is 5 mg by mouth twice daily. For individuals 80 years or older, weighing less than or equal to 60 kg, or with reduced kidney function, the usual dose is 2.5 mg twice daily.
- The recommended dose for treating DVT or pulmonary embolism is 10 mg twice daily for the first 7 days and then 5 mg twice daily. After six months of treatment, the dose may be reduced to 2.5 mg daily for prevention of DVT or pulmonary embolism.
- When apixaban is used to prevent the risk of DVT after hip or knee replacement surgery, the suggested dose is 2.5 mg daily beginning 12 to 24 hours after the surgery is completed.

SLIDESHOW
Heart Disease: Causes of a Heart Attack See SlideshowWhat drugs interact with apixaban?
Apixaban is a blood thinner medicine that reduces blood clotting. You may have a higher risk of bleeding if you take apixaban and take other medicines that increase your risk of bleeding, including:
- aspirin or aspirin-containing products
- long-term (chronic) use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- warfarin (Jantoven)
- any medicine that contains heparin
- selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
- other medicines to help prevent or treat blood clots
Tell your doctor if you take any of these medicines. Many other drugs may interact with apixaban, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor, dentist, and pharmacist of all drugs and supplements you take.
Spinal or epidural blood clots (hematoma)
People who take a blood thinner medicine (anticoagulant) like apixaban, and have medicine injected into their spinal and epidural area, or have a spinal puncture have a risk of forming a blood clot that can cause long-term or permanent loss of the ability to move (paralysis). Your risk of developing a spinal or epidural blood clot is higher if:
- a thin tube called an epidural catheter is placed in your back to give you certain medicine
- you take NSAIDs or a medicine to prevent blood from clotting
- you have a history of difficult or repeated epidural or spinal punctures
- you have a history of problems with your spine or have had surgery on your spine
If you take apixaban and receive spinal anesthesia or have a spinal puncture, your doctor should watch you closely for symptoms of spinal or epidural blood clots or bleeding. Tell your doctor right away if you have tingling, numbness, or muscle weakness, especially in your legs and feet.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- There are no adequate studies in pregnant women. Use during pregnancy may increase the risk of bleeding during pregnancy and delivery. Apixaban should be avoided during pregnancy.
- It is not known if apixaban is excreted in human milk. Nursing mothers should discontinue apixaban or discontinue nursing.
What else should I know about apixaban?
What preparations of apixaban are available?
- Tablets: 2.5 and 5 mg
How should I keep apixaban stored?
- Apixaban should be stored at room temperature, between 15 C and 30 C (59 F and 86 F).
Health News
- CDC Warns of Potentially Fatal Bacterial Illness on U.S. Gulf Coast
- Helping Others as Volunteers Helps Kids 'Flourish': Study
- FDA Approves Pfizer's RSV Shot for Older Adults
- What to Do When Tough-to-Treat Lymphoma Strikes During Pregnancy
- Rate of Pregnant U.S. Women Who Have Diabetes Keeps Rising
More Health News ยป
Summary
Apixaban is a medication prescribed to prevent blood clots in the heart and strokes in patients with atrial fibrillation, and to prevent and treat deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. The most common side effects of apixaban involves bleeding in the stomach, intestines, brain, and eyes. Bleeding due to apixaban may be fatal.
Multimedia: Slideshows, Images & Quizzes
-
Atrial Fibrillation: Heart Symptoms, Diagnosis, & AFib Treatment
AFib symptoms like heart racing, fluttering, and irregular heart beat may be caused by heart disease, obesity, alcohol use,...
-
Heart Disease: Causes of a Heart Attack
Heart disease prevention includes controlling risk factors like diet, exercise, and stress. Heart disease symptoms in women may...
-
A Visual Guide to Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a dangerous and sometimes fatal blood clot that occurs deep within the lower leg or thigh....
-
Blood Clots: 4 Signs You Could Have One
Blood clots can be deadly medical emergencies that can form in different parts of your body. Learn the warning signs that you...
-
Atrial Fibrillation: Foods to Watch When You Have AFib
Think twice before you eat or drink these foods to help keep your heart healthy.
-
DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) and Pulmonary Embolism (PE) Quiz
Take the Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism Quiz to learn causes, symptoms, and treatments for these two dangerous...
-
Atrial Fibrillation (A-Fib) Quiz: Test Your Medical IQ
Learn the causes, symptoms, and treatments of the common heart abnormality known as atrial fibrillation (A-fib).
-
Atrial Fibrillation (AFib): Tips for Living with Atrial Fibrillation
Learn how to live easier with atrial fibrillation. What is AFib? Find out the symptoms and causes of this heart condition....
-
Picture of Heart Detail
The heart is composed of specialized cardiac muscle, and it is four-chambered, with a right atrium and ventricle, and an...
-
Picture of Blood Clot
Blood that has been converted from a liquid to a solid state. See a picture of Blood Clot and learn more about the health topic.
-
Atrial Fibrillation: How to Treat Atrial Fibrillation (AFib)
Dealing with atrial fibrillation? WebMD shows you AFib treatments like ablation, cardioversion, pacemaker, and medicines...
-
DVT: Dos and Don’ts After a Blood Clot
If you’ve had a blood clot, like a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE), you might need to make a few changes...
Related Disease Conditions
-
Blood Clots (in the Leg)
Blood clots can form in the heart, legs, arteries, veins, bladder, urinary tract, and uterus. Risk factors include high blood pressure and cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, and family history. Symptoms and treatment depend on the location of the clot.
-
Are Blood Clots Normal in Early Pregnancy?
Around 15-20% of pregnant women experience bleeding during the first trimester. Light bleeding can be normal, but heavy bleeding or clots can indicate something more serious. Always let your doctor or midwife know if you're experiencing any bleeding.
-
Stroke
A stroke is an interruption of the blood supply to part of the brain caused by either a blood clot (ischemic) or bleeding (hemorrhagic). Symptoms of a stroke may include weakness, numbness, double vision or vision loss, confusion, vertigo, difficulty speaking, or understanding speech. A physical exam, imaging tests, neurological exam, and blood tests may be used to diagnose a stroke. Treatment may include administration of clot-busting drugs, supportive care, and in some instances, neurosurgery. The risk of stroke can be reduced by controlling high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and stopping smoking.
-
Atrial Fibrillation (AFib)
Atrial fibrillation (AF or AFib) is an abnormality in the heart rhythm, which involves irregular and often rapid beating of the heart. Symptoms may include heart palpitations, dizziness, fainting, fatigue, shortness of breath, and chest pain. Atrial fibrillation treatment may include medication or procedures like cardioversion or ablation to normalize the heart rate.
-
Arrhythmias (Abnormal Heart Rhythms)
Heart rhythm disorders vary from minor palpitations, premature atrial contractions (PACs), premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), sinus tachycardia, and sinus bradycardia, to abnormal heart rhythms such as tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, ventricular flutter, atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT), Wolf-Parkinson-White syndrome, brachycardia, or heart blocks. Treatment is dependent upon the type of heart rhythm disorder.
-
Pulmonary Embolism (Blood Clot in the Lung)
A pulmonary embolism (PE) occurs when a piece of a blood clot from deep vein thrombosis (DVT) breaks off and travels to an artery in the lung where it blocks the artery and damages the lung. The most common symptoms of a pulmonary embolism are shortness of breath, chest pain, and a rapid heart rate. Causes of pulmonary embolism include prolonged immobilization, certain medications, smoking, cancer, pregnancy, and surgery. Pulmonary embolism can cause death if not treated promptly.
-
Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA, Mini-Stroke)
When a portion of the brain loses blood supply, through a blood clot or embolus, a transient ischemic attack (TIA, mini-stroke) may occur. If the symptoms do not resolve, a stroke most likely has occurred. Learn the symptoms, risk factors, and treatment for a transient ischemic attack.
-
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT, Blood Clot in the Legs)
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot in the deep veins, and can be caused by broken bones, trauma to a limb, immobility, medications, smoking, cancer, genetic predisposition, and cancer. Symptoms and signs of a deep vein thrombosis in a leg are swelling, tenderness, redness, warmth, and pain. Treatments for DVT include medications and surgery.
-
Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Treatment Drugs
Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a heart rhythm disorder that causes irregular and often rapid heartbeat. The medications to treat AFib include beta-blockers, blood thinners, and heart rhythm drugs. Atrial fibrillation drugs can cause serious side effects like seizures, vision changes, shortness of breath, fainting, other abnormal heart rhythms, excessive bleeding while coughing or vomiting, blood in the stool, and bleeding into the brain.
-
Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) vs. Ventricular Fibrillation (VFib)
Atrial fibrillation (AFib) and ventricular fibrillation (VFib) are problems with the heart that cause abnormal heart rhythms. Check out the center below for more medical references on heart conditions, including multimedia (slideshows, images, and quizzes), related disease conditions, treatment and diagnosis, medications, and prevention or wellness.
-
What Does Big Blood Clots in Period Mean?
It is normal to pass blood clots occasionally during menstruation; however, frequently passing large blood clots could be a sign of any underlying issue.
-
Atrial Flutter
Atrial flutter is a problem with the atria of the heart. In atrial flutter the atria of the heart rapidly and repeatedly beat due to an anomaly in the electrical system of the heart. It is a type of arrhythmia and can be dangerous because complications can develop easily. Signs and symptoms of atrial flutter include near fainting, palpitations, mild shortness of breath, and fatigue. While the exact cause of atrial flutter is not clearly understood, it's most likely related to your health, what medical conditions you certainly have, poor diet, lack of exercise, and drinking too much alcohol. Atrial flutter is diagnosed by physical examination, medical history, and a sawtooth ECG wave pattern.
-
How Serious Is a Blood Clot in the Lungs?
A blood clot is a solid or semisolid clump of blood. When the tissues of our body are injured, excessive blood loss is prevented by the clotting of blood. When a blood clot occurs inside the blood vessels it may lead to serious medical conditions. When a blood clot occurs inside the arteries to the lungs, the condition is called pulmonary embolism (PE).
-
Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Symptoms and Signs
Atrial fibrillation or AFib is a type of heart rhythm abnormality. Early warning signs and symptoms of atrial fibrillation include chest pain, palpitations, shortness of breath, and lightheadedness. Treatment for atrial fibrillation includes medical procedures, surgery, and medication.
-
What Is the Difference Between a Thrombus and a Blood Clot?
What makes a thrombus different from a blood clot? Learn about the differences between a thrombus and a blood clot, and how these conditions are treated.
-
How Do You Know If You Have a Blood Clot in Your Leg?
Blood clots are clumps of blood formed when the blood changes from a fluid to a semisolid form. When a blood clot is formed in one of the large veins in the legs or arms, the condition is called deep vein thrombosis (DVT). A blot clot in your leg can hamper the flow of oxygen and nutrients to the affected area. An untreated DVT may cause the clot to grow bigger and break in small pieces that can travel to other organs, such as the heart and lungs, causing serious consequences.
-
How Serious Is Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)?
Some cases of ASD resolve during childhood. However, severe cases of ASD can be life-threatening and require surgery to prevent serious complications.
-
What are the Most Common Causes of Atrial Fibrillation?
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an abnormal heart rhythm characterized by an irregular and fast heartbeat. The upper chambers of the heart (atria) beat chaotically, and can cause pooling and clotting of blood in the atria, instead of it emptying into the lower chamber (ventricles). AF can lead to stroke, heart failure, blood clots, and heart-related complications. Atrial fibrillation is classified into three types: Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, persistent atrial fibrillation, and long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation.
-
Is Lupus and Lupus Anticoagulant the Same?
Lupus is an autoimmune condition and lupus anticoagulant refers to antiphospholipid antibody syndrome. Lupus and lupus anticoagulant are not the same.
-
Is AFib With RVR Life Threatening?
Atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response (RVR) is one of the most common types of arrhythmia. While AFib alone is not fatal, it's still a critical medical condition that must be treated appropriately.
-
What Does a Blood Clot Feel Like?
Blood clots are semi-solid masses of blood that may be immobile (thrombosis) and impede blood flow or dislodge to other parts of the body (embolism). Deep vein clots, if dislodged, can travel through veins through the lungs to the arteries in the lungs. This is referred to as a pulmonary embolism and can be deadly. Blood clots can also lead to a heart attack or stroke.
-
What Is the Most Common Cause of Atrial Fibrillation (AFib, AF)?
Atrial fibrillation (AFib or AF) refers to abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia) that causes quivering or irregular heartbeats. It is a serious medical condition that may further lead to stroke and heart failure. The heart is a muscular organ roughly the size of a closed fist. It has two upper chambers called atria and two lower chambers called ventricles. The flow of blood into the heart, within the heart chambers, and from the heart is guarded by the four valves present in the heart.
Treatment & Diagnosis
- Atrial Fibrillation A-Fib FAQs
- Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism FAQs
- Pulmonary Embolism -Lung Blood Clot Risk Factors In Women
- Heart Atrial Fibrillation - Bill Bradley
- Higher Chance of Blood Clots Forming?
- How Pie Prevents Blood Clots
- Can Gallbladder Problems Cause Blood Clots?
- How Serious Is Atrial Fibrillation?
Medications & Supplements
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors

Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.