Apixaban is a prescription medication that belongs to a class of drugs called anticoagulants, or more specifically, direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs). It’s commonly known by the brand name Eliquis.
Here’s a brief overview:
- Purpose: It helps prevent and treat blood clots.
- Common uses:
- To prevent stroke in people with atrial fibrillation (AF) not caused by a heart valve problem.
- To treat or prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE).
- To prevent blood clots after certain surgeries, like hip or knee replacement.
How it works:
Apixaban blocks Factor Xa, an enzyme necessary for blood clot formation. This reduces the blood’s ability to clot, lowering the risk of dangerous clots.
Important notes:
- Do not stop taking it suddenly without a doctor’s advice — that can increase clot risk.
- It can increase the risk of bleeding, so inform your doctor about any unusual bruising, blood in urine/stool, or prolonged bleeding.
- Avoid taking it with other blood thinners unless prescribed.