Apixaban
Introduction To Apixaban
Apixaban is a medicine known as an anticoagulant or blood thinner. It helps prevent and treat blood clots. It prevents and treats clot formation in the veins of your legs, lungs, brain, and heart. It is used to reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack.
Apixaban is commonly used in patients with irregular heart rhythm (atrial fibrillation) to prevent clot formation. It also reduces the risk of getting clots in people who have undergone knee or hip replacement surgeries. It can be taken with or without food and it is best to take them at the same time each day. You may need to take this medicine for many years, even for life in some cases.
Do not stop taking it or change the dose without guidance from your doctor. It could quickly put you more at risk of having a heart attack, stroke, or thrombosis (formation of a blood clot within a blood vessel). You can reduce your risk of having a blood clot by making changes to your lifestyle, such as not smoking, eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, and losing weight if you need to.
The most common side effect of Apixaban is bleeding more easily than normal, for example, having nosebleeds or bruising. If you experience any symptoms, tell your doctor immediately. Other side effects include low blood pressure, nausea, and skin rash.
Do not take this medicine if you have severe kidney or liver problems, if you are currently bleeding, or if you are taking other medicines to reduce blood clotting. You should not breastfeed while using this medicine. Unlike other anticoagulants, a regular blood test (PT-INR) is not required while taking this medicine.
Uses of Apixaban
- Treatment and prevention of Blood clots
Benefits of Apixaban
Treatment and prevention of Blood clots
Formation of blood clots blocks one or more veins, usually in your legs.
Apixaban is used to prevent formation of blood clots near the surface of
your skin. It dissolves the clots and also relieves pain and inflammation by
increasing the blood flow. This improves the overall healing process. Take it
as prescribed by the doctor. The condition usually improves on its own in some
time. Additionally, the doctor might recommend applying heat to the painful
area, elevating the affected leg, using an over-the-counter painkiller and
possibly wearing compression stockings.
Side effects of Apixaban
Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them
Common side effects of Apiquis
- Anemia (low number of red blood cells)
- Blood in urine
- Bruise
- Nausea
- Nosebleeds
- Hematoma
How to use Apixaban
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Apixaban may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.
How Apixaban works
Apixaban is a novel oral anticoagulant (NOAC). It works by preventing the formation of blood clots in the body.
Quick tips
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For best results, take Apixaban at the same time every day. It is better to take at night with meals
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It interacts less with food or other medicines. Hence, frequent dose changes are not required.
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It increases your risk of bleeding. Be careful while shaving, cutting fingernails or toenails, using sharp objects or engaging in contact sports (e.g. football, wrestling).
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Inform your doctor if you see blood in your vomit, urine or stool (black, tarry stools or bright red blood).
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If you are going to have a surgery or dental treatment, you may be asked to stop taking Apixaban temporarily.
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Notify your doctor if you have any kidney problem.
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Do not stop taking medication without talking to your doctor.
Safety Advice
PregnancySAFE IF PRESCRIBED
Can I take Apixaban if I’m pregnant?
Apixaban is generally considered safe to use during pregnancy. Animal studies have shown low or no adverse effects to the developing baby; however, there are limited human studies.
BreastfeedingCONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Can I take Apixaban if I’m breastfeeding?
Apixaban is probably unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug may pass into the breastmilk and harm the baby.
AlcoholCAUTION
Is drinking alcohol while taking Apixaban safe?
Caution is advised when consuming alcohol with Apixaban. Please consult your doctor.
DrivingSAFE
Can I drive after taking Apixaban?
Apixaban does not usually affect your ability to drive.
KidneyCAUTION
Can I take Apixaban if I have/had kidney diseases?
Apixaban should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Apixaban may be needed. Please consult your doctor.
LiverCAUTION
Can I take Apixaban if I have/had liver diseases?
Apixaban should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustment of Apixaban may be needed. Please consult your doctor. Dose adjustment is not needed in patients with the mild liver disease.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Can I cut the tablet of Apixaban?
If you have difficulty swallowing the whole tablet, the tablet may be crushed and mixed with water, or 5% dextrose in water, or apple juice or apple puree. Remember to crush the medicine just before you take it.
Q. What if I miss a dose of Apixaban?
If a dose is missed, the patient should take Apixaban immediately and then continue with twice daily intake as before.
Q. What are the side effects of taking Apixaban?
Apixaban may cause bleeding in eyes, stomach, nose, etc and anemia which may cause tiredness or paleness. It may also lower your blood pressure which may make you faint or have a quickened heartbeat and nausea. Blood tests may show an increase in gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT), which may be due to liver problems.
Q. What is Apixaban used for?
Apixaban is used to reduce the risk of stroke and blood clots in people who have atrial fibrillation. In atrial fibrillation, the heart beats irregularly, increasing the chance of clots forming in the body and possibly causing strokes. Apixaban also helps to reduce the risk of forming a blood clot in the legs and lungs of people who have just had hip or knee replacement surgery and treat blood clots in the veins of your legs (deep vein thrombosis) or lungs (pulmonary embolism), and reduce the risk of them occurring again.
Q. How dangerous is Apixaban?
While using Apixaban you should be aware of the risks involved such as it can cause excessive bleeding being a blood thinner. Hence, do not stop taking the medication without speaking to your doctor. If you have epidural or spinal anesthesia or a spinal puncture while taking Apixaban then you may be at risk of developing a blood clot in or around your spine which can result in paralysis in some patients. Hence, inform the doctor beforehand if you have had any such procedure.
Q. Do I need to stop Apixaban before surgery?
Consult your doctor who will tell you whether you have to stop it or not. It will depend on the type of procedure involved. For instance, if there is moderate to high risk of bleeding during the procedure you will have to stop taking Apixaban 48 hours before surgery.
Q. Is Apixaban a blood thinner?
Yes, Apixaban belongs to a class of medicines known as anticoagulant or blood thinner. It prevents your blood from clotting by preventing formation of an important component of blood clotting (factor Xa).
Q. What are the symptoms of overdosage of Apixaban?
Apixaban, when taken more than the recommended dose, may cause unusual bleeding or bruising, red, brown, or pink urine, red or black, tarry stools and coughing up or vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds. Consult your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical attention in a nearby hospital.
References
Written By:
Dr Advikka Ridhy
MBBS
RMO, Aster MIMS
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