Apixaban
Also sold as: Eliquis
Prescription neededBlood thinners
Comes as:Tablet
Usual adult dose
Atrial fibrillation: 5 mg twice a day (2.5 mg twice a day in some elderly or kidney patients). Treatment of clots: 10 mg twice a day for 7 days, then 5 mg twice a day. Do not stop without your doctor.
Your doctor may give you a different dose. Children's doses depend on weight.
Side effects
Common
- bruising
- nosebleeds
- bleeding gums
- nausea
Serious — get help
Stop taking it and see a doctor straight away if you notice:
- black stools
- blood in urine
- vomiting blood
- severe headache
- bleeding that does not stop
Do not take it, or take care, if
- Active bleeding
- Severe liver disease
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Artificial (mechanical) heart valve
Interactions
Medicines that can react with this one.
Serious3 medicinesDo not take these together unless your doctor says so.
- Aspirin
Together they greatly raise the risk of serious bleeding.
- Ketoconazole
Ketoconazole tablets raise apixaban levels and the risk of bleeding; avoid.
- Rifampicin
Rifampicin lowers apixaban levels so it may not prevent clots; avoid.
Moderate1 medicineTake together only with care. Ask your doctor or pharmacist.
- Clopidogrel
Together they raise the risk of bleeding.