What is Eliquis (apixaban) used for?

Eliquis is a prescription medication used to reduce the risk of blood clots in people with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (a type of irregular heartbeat not caused by heart valve disease). It is also used to prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) (formation of a blood clot in the leg or lung, respectively) in people undergoing hip or knee replacement surgery. Eliquis is also used to treat DVT and PE and may be continued to prevent recurrent DVT and PE in people at moderate or high risk of thrombotic events (blood clot formation).

There may be other uses of this medicine — your healthcare provider or pharmacist can give you more drug information and provide medical advice.

Eliquis (apixaban) Mechanism of Action

Eliquis works by blocking a natural substance called factor Xa which is needed for blood clots to form.

What is the dosage of Eliquis (apixaban)?

Nonvalvular atrial fibrillation: The usual dose of Eliquis is 5 mg twice a day in atrial fibrillation patients. Certain people must take only 2.5 mg twice a day of Eliquis (those with age more than or equal to 80 years, those with a body weight less than or equal to 60 kg, or those with serum creatinine more than or equal to 1.5 mg/dL). 

Blood clot prevention in hip or knee replacement surgery patients: The usual dose is Eliquis 2.5 mg twice a day. The first dose is taken at least 12 to 24 hours after the surgery. Doctors usually prescribe this medicine for 12 days after knee replacement surgery and 35 days after you have undergone hip replacement surgery. 

Treatment of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism: Initial therapy with Eliquis is started at 10 mg twice a day for 7 days. After a higher initial dose, the dose is lowered to 5 mg twice a day. 

Prevention of blood clots in people with a history of recurrent DVT and PE: The dose of Eliquis is usually 2.5 mg twice a day after a minimum of 6 months of treatment for a blood clot or pulmonary embolism.