Key Highlights
- Eliquis (apixaban) is a blood thinner. It helps stop blood clots in people with atrial fibrillation and other conditions that raise the risk of clotting.
- It starts working fast, usually within a few hours, and its effects last about 24 hours.
- Eliquis comes as a tablet that you take by mouth, usually two times a day.
- Common side effects are related to bleeding or bruising. In more rare cases, serious bleeding events have occurred.
- Talking to your doctor about your medical history and all the medications you take is important. This can help you avoid dangerous drug interactions and ensure Eliquis is the right choice for your needs.
Introduction
Eliquis is a prescription medication that ‘thins the blood’ by slowing down clot formation. This can help lower the risk of a blood clot for individuals with a prior history of clots or those managing a condition that can increase the risk of clots (e.g., atrial fibrillation).
Atrial fibrillation is a common reason for being prescribed medications like Eliquis. The irregular heart rate and rhythm associated with atrial fibrillation can cause blood clots to form in your heart. If these clots move to the brain, they may lead to a stroke, and Eliquis is meant to help prevent this from happening.
If your healthcare provider has recommended Eliquis for atrial fibrillation or another purpose, it’s helpful to have an idea of what to expect as you start therapy. Let’s look more closely at Eliquis, including how it works and some potential side effects to be aware of.
Understanding Eliquis and Its Mechanism of Action
Blood clots are helpful for stopping bleeding in some circumstances, but they can also be very harmful. If a blood clot forms internally, it can block the normal flow of blood in blood vessels. Dangerous blood clots are often defined by their location in the body. A clot that occurs in the coronary vessels can lead to a heart attack. Clots that form in or travel to the brain can cause a stroke. A clot that forms in the legs is often called deep vein thrombosis, or DVT. Sometimes, these clots can travel through the circulatory system to the lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism (PE).
Eliquis is a type of anticoagulant, sometimes called a blood thinner. This is a bit of a misnomer, as Eliquis does not technically ‘thin’ the blood. Instead, it blocks a critical step in the clotting cascade, which makes clots less likely to form.
What is Eliquis?
The active ingredient in Eliquis is apixaban. Apixaban stops the action of factor Xa, an important enzyme that helps blood clot. Factor Xa turns a protein in your blood called prothrombin into thrombin, which is needed for blood to clot.
By blocking factor Xa, Eliquis makes it harder for thrombin to form. This means your blood has a harder time clotting.
How Eliquis Works in Your Body
To understand how Eliquis works, we first need to know about blood clotting. Blood clotting is a complicated process. It involves many proteins and enzymes that react in your blood.
A primary approach for managing the risk of clotting has long been to target a group of proteins known as "vitamin K-dependent clotting factors."Like other direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), Eliquis works differently from some older blood thinners like warfarin (Coumadin). Warfarin stops the liver from making vitamin K-dependent clotting factors.
In contrast, Eliquis focuses specifically on factor Xa, which is also very important in blood clotting. A primary advantage offered by DOACs like Eliquis is their ability to lower the risk of dangerous blood clots without relying on routine international normalized ratio (INR) testing. Eliquis is also less likely to be significantly affected by diet.
The Onset of Eliquis: Timeframe for Effectiveness
One of the most common questions people ask about Eliquis (or any new medicine) is, "How long does it take to work?" The good news is that Eliquis usually works fast.
After you take Eliquis, it starts blocking factor Xa quickly. Eliquis is often effective within 2 to 4 hours after taking it.
The goal of Eliquis therapy is to prevent dangerous blood clots from forming. This means that you’re unlikely to feel any different when it's working.
The relatively rapid onset of action is accompanied by an equally rapid loss of effectiveness as the medication is processed and removed from the body over the course of the day. This means Eliquis must be taken consistently to remain effective.
Factors Influencing How Quickly Eliquis Begins to Work
While Eliquis usually starts working within a few hours, several factors can affect how quickly Eliquis begins to work:
- Metabolism and Body Weight: If a person has a faster metabolism, the effects of Eliquis may have a more rapid onset. Body weight also affects how the drug is processed in the body.
- Liver and Kidney Function: The liver and kidneys are important for breaking down and removing medications from the body. If someone has liver disease or kidney problems, it can change how well Eliquis works. In these situations, your doctor might closely monitor how you respond to the medication and may change the dose if necessary.
- Other Medications: Some medications might change how Eliquis is broken down in the body, making it work quicker or slower.
What to Expect During the First Few Days of Taking Eliquis
While you may experience mild side effects early in therapy (e.g., upset stomach), these are often manageable and may disappear as you adjust. The primary concern related to any anticoagulant therapy is an increased risk of bleeding. When you start taking Eliquis, and throughout your time using the medication, it’s vital to watch for and report any signs of abnormal bruising or bleeding. Some of these signs may be easier to miss than others. It’s important to talk with your healthcare provider if you notice:
- Abnormal bruising
- Nosebleeds
- Heavier periods
- Cuts that bleed continuously
- Bleeding gums
- Dark or tarry stools
Stools that are dark, tarry, or may look like used coffee grounds are more commonly missed by some individuals. This could be blood that has clotted by the time it enters the lower intestine, which means its source may be the upper gastrointestinal tract (e.g., bleeding stomach ulcer).
These can be signs that the medication may be increasing the risk of a more serious bleeding event. They can also be serious in their own right by leading to anemia, etc., so it’s critical to talk with your healthcare provider.
Dosage and Administration Guidelines for Eliquis
Eliquis comes in tablet form, and you take it by mouth, usually two times a day. You can take it with food or apple juice. Sticking to a regular dose schedule is important to help the medication work best. If you have difficulty swallowing Eliquis tablets whole, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about the best way to take the drug.
It’s important to remember that how much you should take may change based on your health, what you are treating, and how you respond to the medicine. Your doctor will help you find the best dosage and plan for your use, including what to do with any unused medication after the expiration date.
Recommended Dosages for Different Conditions
Finding the right dosage of Eliquis is not the same for everyone. The dose depends on your specific health condition and medical history. Some people may need to take it for a few weeks, while others may need to continue taking Eliquis indefinitely. Here is a simple guide, but your doctor will decide the best dosage for you:
Remember, this table is just for general information. Always follow your doctor's advice about your dosage of Eliquis.
Tips for Managing Your Dosage Schedule
Taking your medication as your doctor says is very important for it to work well. Here are some easy tips to help you remember your Eliquis doses:
- Set Reminders: Use alarms on your phone, a pillbox that divides your doses by time, or apps made specifically to remind you about your medications.
- Establish a Routine: Try adding your doses to your daily habits. For instance, you can take one dose with breakfast and another with dinner.
- Missed Dose? Don’t Panic: If you forget a dose of Eliquis, take it immediately if it’s still close to the scheduled time. Don’t take two doses at once. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed one and keep to your regular schedule.
If you often miss doses, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. They can give tips to help you better stick to your medicine schedule.
Side Effects and Safety Precautions
Eliquis is usually safe for most people, but like many drugs, it can cause side effects. It is important to know about these side effects and talk openly with your healthcare team.
Side effects can be different for each person. Some might be mild and disappear as your body gets used to the medicine, while others may require medical help.
Common Side Effects to Monitor
Eliquis, like other blood thinners, raises the risk of bleeding, especially in those with high blood pressure. It makes it harder for your blood to clot. While this is its main purpose—to stop harmful clots—it also means that small injuries can lead to more bleeding or longer healing times.
The common Eliquis side effects are:
- Easy bruising
- Long bleeding from cuts
- Nosebleeds
- Bleeding gums
- Heavier periods
- Gastrointestinal bleeding (e.g., stomach)
Bleeding events have the potential to become serious. Always tell your doctor immediately if you see any strange or severe bleeding. It’s also important to inform your healthcare provider if you feel light-headed or dizzy.
When to Seek Medical Attention
Some side effects may require emergency medical attention.
Call for help or go to the hospital if you notice any of these:
- Major Bleeding: This means heavy bleeding that doesn't stop, coughing up blood that looks like coffee grounds, blood in your vomit, or bright red blood in your stool.
- Signs of Internal Bleeding: These may include feeling dizzy, weak, confused, having vision problems, a really bad headache, or bad pain in your stomach.
- Allergic Reaction: You might see signs such as hives, itching, swelling, trouble breathing, or tightness in your chest.
Always be careful and seek help if you think there might be a bleeding issue. Don't wait to get medical care if you notice any problems.
Interactions and Contraindications
Eliquis, like all medicines, can interact with other drugs, supplements, or some foods. Some of these interactions might be relatively minor, but others could have serious effects.
Before taking Eliquis, tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and supplements you use.
Medications and Substances to Avoid While Taking Eliquis
While you take Eliquis, being aware of possible interactions and dietary restrictions is important. Some medicines and certain foods can increase Eliquis's blood-thinning effects. This could raise the risk of bleeding complications.
Here are some things to watch out for:
Medications: Other blood thinners, antiplatelet drugs (like aspirin), NSAIDs (like ibuprofen and naproxen), some antidepressants, antifungals, and antibiotics can interact with Eliquis.
Herbal Supplements: St. John's wort, garlic, ginger, and ginkgo biloba can also thin the blood and might interact with Eliquis.
Foods: Eliquis does not require strict dietary limits like Warfarin (Coumadin), but limiting grapefruit and grapefruit juice may be a good idea. These can affect how your body processes Eliquis.
This list does not cover all possible interactions. Always talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist for advice based on your health and current medications.
Conditions That May Affect Your Use of Eliquis
Before taking Eliquis or any medication, sharing your full medical history with them is very important.
Here are some conditions that you should think about carefully:
- Active Bleeding or Bleeding Disorders: If you have had ulcers, recent surgeries, frequent nosebleeds, or any bleeding disorder, Eliquis might not be safe. There could be an increased risk of bleeding.
- Liver Disease: Eliquis mainly works in the liver. If your liver has serious issues, your doctor may need to change your dose or consider an alternative.
- Kidney Disease: Your healthcare provider may monitor your kidney function and adjust your dosage if needed.
This list is not complete. Always let your doctor know all your medical conditions. This will help them manage your health safely and effectively.
Conclusion
Starting a new medication can feel overwhelming, especially after receiving a new diagnosis. It helps to learn about how medications like Eliquis work, how they’re meant to help, and when to be concerned about potential side effects. Communicating openly with your healthcare providers puts you in the best position to find a treatment that works best for you and can help you stay safe while using it.
Lastly when considering treatment options like Eliquis your genetics can also play a vital role in determining which medications will be best suited for you. A simple test can help reduce the trial and error process associated with finding the right medication. Find out more by visiting www.clarityxdna.com
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I wait to see the effects of Eliquis?
Eliquis usually starts to work quickly. Its blood-thinning effects begin anywhere from 2 to 4 hours after taking it. This timing can change a bit depending on the person.
Can I take Eliquis with other blood thinners?
Taking Eliquis along with other blood thinners, including over-the-counter medicines like aspirin, can raise your risk of bleeding. It is important to discuss all the medicines you take with your healthcare professional before you start using Eliquis. In some specific instances, multiple blood thinners may be recommended. Still, it’s vital to ensure you and your healthcare provider are on the same page regarding risks, benefits, and any plans for the duration of therapy with multiple agents. For instance, an anti-platelet agent like aspirin or Plavix may be recommended for no more than several months.
What happens if I miss a dose of Eliquis?
If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you can. However, do not take two doses at the same time. If it’s almost time for your next dose, just skip the missed dose and return to your usual schedule.
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