About apixaban
Direct factor Xa anticoagulant
Used for
- Prevents stroke and blood clots in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation
- Treats deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism
- Prevents recurrent deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism
- Prevents blood clots after hip or knee replacement surgery
Usual adult dose
Atrial fibrillation: usually 5 mg twice daily; 2.5 mg twice daily for certain patients. DVT/PE: 10 mg twice daily for 7 days, then 5 mg twice daily; prevention after treatment: 2.5 mg twice daily. After hip or knee replacement: 2.5 mg twice daily.
Usual dose in children
For children aged 28 days and older, dose is weight-based and depends on the condition; specialist prescribing is required.
Common side effects
- Bleeding or easy bruising
- Anemia
- Nausea
- Allergic reactions, rarely
Important warnings
- Can cause serious or fatal bleeding
- Stopping suddenly may increase risk of blood clots
- Spinal or epidural procedures can cause serious bleeding
- Not suitable for some people with active bleeding or severe liver disease
Pregnancy
Use during pregnancy only when clearly needed; it can cause bleeding and is generally avoided because pregnancy safety information is limited.
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is generally not recommended during treatment because apixaban passes into breast milk and may increase bleeding risk.
Interactions
- Other anticoagulants and antiplatelet medicines increase bleeding risk
- NSAIDs such as ibuprofen increase bleeding risk
- Strong CYP3A4/P-glycoprotein inhibitors can raise apixaban levels
- Strong CYP3A4/P-glycoprotein inducers can lower apixaban levels
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.