Yashoda Hospitals > Medicine FAQS > Apixaban

Apixaban: Frequently Asked Questions Answered

What is Apixaban?

Apixaban is an anticoagulant medication used to lower the risk of stroke due to heart rhythm disorder with irregular heartbeat known as atrial fibrillation. Apixaban works by blocking specific clotting proteins in the blood. Apixaban is explicitly used after hip or knee replacement surgery to treat a particular type of blood clot. Deep vein thrombosis, leading to blood clots in the lungs, known as pulmonary embolism. Take medical advice before taking or terminating Apixaban. Keep track of other medication you take with anticoagulant drugs, consult your doctor.

What are the uses of Apixaban?

Apixaban works as an anticoagulant medicine to lower the risk of stroke in patients with irregular heartbeat. Doctors also recommend it after hip and knee surgery. Apixaban is prescribed to prevent deep vein thrombosis (blood clot in legs or pelvis), which works as a preventive measure for pulmonary embolism in the lungs. Patients with a history of prior stroke, diabetes mellitus, or symptomatic heart failure at the age of 75+ are treated with Apixaban to prevent stroke in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. This medication is also known for preventing non-hemorrhagic stroke and lowers the risk of intracranial bleeding.

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    What are the side effects of Apixaban?

    Continuous use of an anticoagulant drug like Apixaban can increase the risk of fatal bleeding. It can cause internal bleeding or hematoma leading to paralysis if the patient has undergone treatment via spinal puncture or anaesthesia. Other side effects, including standard and significant, are as follows:

    • Easy bruising, unusual bleeding.
    • Heavy menstruation.
    • Change in urine colour.
    • Bleeding from wounds, needle injection.
    • Prolonged dizziness.
    • Swelling or joint pain.

    Apixaban inhibits the Xa factor, which is responsible for clotting and stops bleeding. If you have any cut, it will require more than expected time to stop the blood from coming out. You are recommended to seek a medical opinion if you feel tightness in the chest, swelling of the face, throat, neck, or tongue. Spinal blood clot requires medical emergency, and symptoms are back pain, numbness, kidney issues, loss of control on bowel or urine movements.

    What is Apixaban

    Uses of Apixaban

    Side effects of Apixaban

    References

    1. https://www.mdedge.com/neurology/article/72834/stroke/apixaban-versus-aspirin-stroke-prevention-atrial-fibrillation
    2. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a613032.html
    3. https://www.rxlist.com/aspirin_vs_eliquis/drugs-condition.htm
    4. https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-163069/apixaban-oral/details

    Disclaimer: The information provided herein is accurate, updated and complete as per the best practices of the Company. Please note that this information should not be treated as a replacement for physical medical consultation or advice. We do not guarantee the accuracy and the completeness of the information so provided. The absence of any information and/or warning to any drug shall not be considered and assumed as an implied assurance of the Company. We do not take any responsibility for the consequences arising out of the aforementioned information and strongly recommend you for a physical consultation in case of any queries or doubts.

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    Frequently Asked Questions about Apixaban

    Apixaban belongs to the directly acting anticoagulant class; it is a highly selective and reversible Xa inhibitor drug. It reduces blood clotting and decreases the risk of stroke by inhibiting clot-bound Xa activity. Apixaban is a direct inhibitor of factor Xa, as this factor catalyzes the conversion of prothrombin to thrombin which is responsible for further fibrin clot formation. Anticoagulant drugs are blood thinners that ensure blood inflow is without interruption by preventing clots induced by surgery or stroke.

    Eliquis is the brand name for anticoagulant medicine, which contains Apixaban as an active substance. This medication prevents clots, lowers the risk of stroke and embolism by blocking clotting factor Xa. Apixaban, a blood thinner drug, prevents surgery-induced clots by inhibiting clots and regularizing normal blood flow.

    Aspirin with Apixaban is a dangerous drug interaction as it increases the risk of bleeding, including fatal haemorrhage. Many over-the-counter medicines can lead to a medical emergency if taken without seeking a medical opinion. Even the herbal, antidepressants, and multivitamins might have possible drug interactions.

    Apixaban is an oral anticoagulant medicine that works as a blood thinner to facilitate the flow of blood. It might show a dual effect when prescribed in combination as anti-platelet drugs prevent blood cells (platelets) from sticking together and forming a clot. Anticoagulants take care of blood flow by inhibiting the clotting factor, Xa.

    Apixaban is considered a drug of choice and better than Warfarin. Apixaban superiorly prevents stroke and reduces embolism in patients with atrial fibrillation. It is also a better oral anticoagulant drug with faster action, especially while treating intracranial bleeding, haemorrhage, and stroke.

    Although alcohol must be avoided when on medication, especially on blood thinners, there is no adverse interaction found with alcohol. It is recommended to take your doctor’s advice while you are taking any blood thinner medication. Sometimes, it affects the liver and initiates drug toxicity.

    Pregnant and breastfeeding women are not suggested to take Apixaban. If you’re undergoing any surgery from dental to renal, it is advised to consult your doctor to change the medicine.It is recommended to consult your doctor if you are:

    • A heavy drinker.
    • Undergoing any kidney or liver problems.
    • Suffering from any bleeding issues.

    Change is needed when you switch to blood thinner medicines; however, Apixaban does not need any major changes in diet. Grapefruit should be avoided; it is recommended to follow the doctor’s instructions, considering that every case is different.

    Apixaban is an oral route medicine, best swallowed with water. Usually, it is prescribed twice a day, but in cases like surgery or stroke, it is recommended within 12 to 24 hours of surgery. Take Apixaban precisely as directed by the doctor. If a patient is unable to swallow or not in a condition to take it orally, other methods like a feeding tube are used.

    Drugs like Apixaban are blood thinner, which decreases the coagulation rate and significantly reduces the risk of stroke and bleeding, but it cannot reduce the risk to zero. Depending upon the patient history of the disease, medication, and current situation Apixaban shows results. Consult our expert and get a medical opinion.

    Call Yashoda Hospitals to consult our expert medical experts on the precautions, uses, dosages and side effects of Apixaban.