What condition does Apixaban treat?
Apixaban is an oral medicine used to prevent blood clots from forming due to atrial fibrillation or after knee or hip replacement surgery. With atrial fibrillation, part of the heart that doesn’t beat the way it should. This may lead to other parts of your body such as the lungs or legs. It may also increase your risk of stroke.
In the United States, this medication is also approved to treat deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolus (PE). This drug may also prevent them from forming again.
Apixaban is a factor Xa (FXa) inhibitor. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved this medication.
How does Apixaban work?
Apixaban works by blocking Factor Xa. It is a blood clotting factor critical to the blood clotting process. By blocking Factor Xa, this medication lowers the chance of blood clots forming. This will also decrease the risk of having a stroke in people with atrial fibrillation.
What is the recommended dosage for Apixaban?
Apixaban is to be taken by mouth with a full glass of water. It is usually taken twice a day every 12 hours. If you cannot swallow that tablet whole, you may crush it and mix it with water or apple juice.
The dosage will depend on your medical condition, response to treatment, weight, age, kidney function, and other medicines you may be taking. Be sure to tell your doctor about all the products you use including non-prescription drugs, prescription drugs, and herbal products. If you are taking this medicine to prevent blood clots from forming after surgery, the period of treatment is based on the type of surgery that you had.
Do not stop taking this medicine without consulting your doctor. Several conditions might be worse when this medication is suddenly stopped. Do not run out of this medication. Order your refills early to avoid running out of pills.
What are the side effects of Apixaban?
- Skin rash
- Nausea
- Anemia
- Fainting
Call for medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction:
- Difficulty breathing
- Hives
- Swelling of your face, throat, lips, or tongue
Call your doctor right away if these happen:
- Heavy menstrual period
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Urine that looks red, brown, or pink
- Easy bruising
What are the precautions in taking Apixaban?
- Inform your doctor if you have any allergies or current medications/treatments. Tell also your doctor if you have a medical history especially of kidney or liver disease and bleeding problems.
- This is not recommended for pregnant women. If you are breastfeeding women, consult your doctor first. This drug should be used only when needed.
- This medication may cause stomach bleeding. Everyday intake of alcohol while taking this medication will increase your risk for stomach bleeding. You should limit your intake of alcoholic beverages. Ask your doctor about how much alcohol you may safely drink.
- If you need dental work or surgery, tell the dentist or doctor ahead of time if you have taken this medicine within the past 24 hours. You may need to stop taking Apixaban for a short time.
