Table of Contents

I. Keep in Mind That Eliquis Can Be Necessary for Your Health

II. There May Be Valid Reasons for Wanting to Stop Taking Eliquis

III. Stopping on Your Own Is Incredibly Dangerous, However

IV. Instead, Inform Yourself and Talk to Your Doctor First

V. FAQ: What Should I Ask My Doctor Before Stopping Eliquis?

It’s been some time now, and you haven’t felt the need to worry about blood clots, strokes, or anything else. So eventually, you start to wonder: what happens when you stop taking Eliquis?

Surely, it can’t be too bad. You haven’t felt particularly awful in a decent while. So you could probably handle stopping your dose of Eliquis, right?

Well, it isn’t that simple or safe.

Keep in Mind That Eliquis Can Be Necessary for Your Health

You may feel well right now. But in many cases, Eliquis is absolutely necessary for that well-being. Eliquis is now available in generic form through an online Canadian pharmacy, even though a U.S. generic isn't expected until at least April 2028 due to ongoing patent protection. RxConnected sources its medications from countries where generic Eliquis is already available, so Americans can now have access to this traditionally expensive drug. After all, your doctor prescribed Eliquis to you for a reason. And that reason may be one of the following.

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Treating Deep Vein Thrombosis

For one, you may have recently gotten a blood clot in your leg.

This is what is known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). It often becomes a more common experience for those over the age of 60. [1] But you can be at a higher risk for it if you have any of the following:

• History of DVT or pulmonary embolism (PE)
• Family history of blood clots
• Being physically inactive for long periods
• Blood vessel damage
• Having a condition or treatment that makes your blood clot more easily
• Examples: cancer, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, heart and lung disease, thrombophilia, and Hughes syndrome
• Being pregnant
• Being overweight or obese
• Even accidentally bumping your leg into your furniture, or mild trauma, could provoke a DVT [1]

Depending on what caused your DVT, you could end up taking Eliquis for three to six months. And doing so is what will prevent you from experiencing the same pain again. [2]

Treating Pulmonary Embolism

Eliquis is also frequently prescribed to treat PEs. This condition happens when a blood vessel in your lungs is blocked by a blood clot, called a pulmonary embolism. [3]

Technically, anyone can develop this condition. But the risk of it increases due to the following medical history conditions:

• Heart disease
• Interstitial lung disease
• COVID-19
• Particular cancers
• Lupus and other rheumatologic diseases
• Smoking
• Supplemental estrogen
• Being overweight or obese
• Being pregnant [3]

Like DVT, PE can come back again. [3] So you want to make sure you take the full treatment for the condition, whether it’s for three months or longer. [4]

Treating Atrial Fibrillation

You may also be prescribed Eliquis for atrial fibrillation. After all, this condition can lead to blood clots, strokes, and even heart failure. And Eliquis can help reduce the risk of that from happening. [5]

There May Be Valid Reasons for Wanting to Stop Taking Eliquis

With that said, some situations may make stopping Eliquis understandable with your physician’s advice. Let’s examine a few.

Low Risk of Getting Another Blood Clot

Once you get an unprovoked clot, it’s suggested you take Eliquis or another blood thinner for life. But that doesn’t have to be the case for everyone. For instance, women can be exempt from doing so. It all just depends on a set of criteria known as the HERDOO2 rule. [6]

This particular rule was both developed and validated by a Canadian-led research group for the journal BMJ. Under its direction, women with one or none of these qualities are at low risk for getting another blood clot:

• Discoloration, redness, or swelling in one leg (this counts as a single HERDOO2 criterion)
• Levels of clotting markers that are high in number
• BMIs greater than or equal to 30
• Age that is 65 or older [6]

In fact, the research group found these women were only at a 3% risk of getting another blood clot. So, if you fit the HERDOO2 rule, you probably will have a low risk of blood clots even if you choose to stop taking Eliquis. [6]

Having a Procedure or Surgery

In some other cases, you might even be asked to stop your Eliquis dose for a procedure or surgery. But it depends on what you’re undergoing. Typically, if it has a high risk of causing bleeding, you’ll be asked to discontinue Eliquis 48 hours ahead of time. But if the risk is lower, you may be asked to discontinue it for only 24 hours ahead of time. [7]

Side Effect Concerns

Sometimes, you may have no choice but to stop taking Eliquis entirely. The main reason for this is likely one or more of the following side effects:

• Skin rashes
• Severe allergic reactions
• Swelling of the lips, tongue, face, or other body parts
• Breathing difficulties
• Shortness of breath [8]

These side effects can negatively affect your quality of life. And if that happens, your doctor will likely try to find you an alternative medication.

Stopping on Your Own Is Incredibly Dangerous, However

Still, even if you fit one of the previously mentioned scenarios, don’t stop your Eliquis dose just yet. Stopping Eliquis too soon can raise your risk of serious blood clots, including clots that may lead to a stroke. Eliquis also carries a black box warning because premature discontinuation can increase the risk of thrombotic events. [5]

Instead, Inform Yourself and Talk to Your Doctor First

You’re better off determining whether you can stop Eliquis by asking your doctor. So if this is something you’d like to seriously consider, make sure you set up an appointment first. Your doctor will be able to inform you of what would work best for you.

FAQ: What Should I Ask My Doctor Before Stopping Eliquis?

Before stopping Eliquis, talk to your doctor about why you were prescribed it, how long you need to take it, and what could happen if you stop now. Eliquis is often prescribed to reduce the risk of serious blood clots, including clots linked to DVT, pulmonary embolism, or atrial fibrillation. Stopping too early can increase the risk of clotting events, including stroke.

It can also help to explain why you want to stop. If the issue is side effects, surgery, cost, or another concern, your doctor may be able to adjust your treatment plan or recommend a safer alternative. Do not stop Eliquis on your own. A doctor can help you decide whether stopping is safe, when to stop, and what steps to take next.

Before making any changes, patients should:

1. Review why Eliquis was prescribed in the first place.
2. Confirm how long treatment is expected to continue.
3. Discuss their current risk of another clot or stroke.
4. Follow their doctor’s instructions before any surgery or procedure.
5. Ask about alternative options if side effects or cost are a concern.

DISCLAIMER: The content in this article is intended for informational purposes only. This website does not provide medical advice. In all circumstances, you should always seek the advice of your physician and/or other qualified health professionals(s) for drug, medical condition, or treatment advice. The content provided on this website is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.