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V. FAQ: What should you avoid while taking Eliquis?
Eliquis (generic name: apixaban) belongs to a family of medications known as “blood thinners” in everyday speech. However, Eliquis doesn’t exactly make blood less viscous. But it does help prevent your risk of a dangerous blood clot.
Fast and affordable Eliquis prescriptions can be purchased through a Canadian pharmacy and delivered straight to your door. Both brand-name and generic Eliquis can be purchased through RxConnected.
Continue reading to learn more about what Eliquis is and how it works.
What Does Eliquis Treat?
Eliquis (generic name: apixaban) is mainly used to reduce the risk of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, as well as clotting disorders like deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). [1] Clotting disorders may be a concern if you’ve recently undergone surgery. So, your doctor may prescribe Eliquis following a surgical procedure. [2]
a. Atrial Fibrillation (A-fib)
Atrial fibrillation (also known as “A-fib”) is a heart rhythm condition where the upper chambers of your heart, the atria, do not work properly. This results in the heart beating too fast or too unsteadily. This means there is a disruption in the flow of the blood that can cause abnormal pooling and circulation of the blood and all its clotting agents. [3] Symptoms of atrial fibrillation include:
- Rapid or irregular pulse
- Dizziness
- Shortness of breath
- Anxiety
- Fainting [4]
People with A-fib are five times more likely to get a stroke. [4] A stroke is when a blood clot prevents oxygen-rich blood from reaching the brain. That’s why doctors prescribe medications like blood thinners to decrease a patient’s chances of having a blood clot, and therefore a stroke. [3]
Blood clot conditions include deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE).
b. Deep Vein Thrombosis
According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) “occurs when a blood clot forms in one of the deep veins of the body.” [5] The most common location for a DVT is in your lower legs or thigh. [6]
Reasons for this development include:
- Injury or damage to the vein
- Slowed or stopped blood flow in the vein
- Injury to the body, such as a fracture
- Surgery that involves your hips or legs [5]
Other things that increase your risk of DVT include:
- Being immobile for a long time after a surgery, which causes blood to pool and clot in your lower extremities
- Having a condition that increases the likelihood of clotting, such as cancer or pregnancy
- Taking certain medications
- Older age
- Genetic conditions that increase clotting
- Traveling for long periods of time, but this is a very mild risk [7]
Blood clots can occur when something upsets the clotting-unclotting balance in our blood, such as the events noted above. There’s a delicate balance always occurring within that system. [8] Other clots may form around rare events, such as when there is a foreign matter in the veins. For example, depending on the type of surgery, if tissue debris, fat, or collagen gets into the veins, blood may thicken (coagulate) around it. [5]
This is a natural process designed to help you fight against potentially harmful foreign substances. So what’s the big problem with having a blood clot in your leg? Well, the clot can break off and travel to your lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism (PE).
c. Pulmonary Embolism (PE)
Pulmonary embolisms are sudden blood clots that occur in a lung artery. It is a very serious condition and may result in permanent lung damage. Oxygen levels in the blood may drop to dangerously low levels, which may then damage other organs as the arteries fail to provide enough oxygen to them. [9]
Sometimes people with a PE may not notice symptoms until the condition becomes serious. Some symptoms of PE include:
- Shortness of breath
- Rapid breathing
- Increased heart rate
- Chest pain that gets worse when you cough or inhale deeply
- Coughing up blood
- Lightheadedness [9]
Understanding the symptoms of DVT can help you recognize your risk of PE. The symptoms of DVT are:
- Swelling, pain, redness, or tenderness in the leg
- Thickened vein called a “cord” [5]
However, many people don’t experience any symptoms at all.
Because DVT and PE can be so potentially dangerous, depending on the patient’s history, many doctors prescribe patients a type of medication called a blood thinner to prevent them from happening, which leads us to Eliquis. [5]
How Does Eliquis Work?
Eliquis or generic Eliquis is an anticoagulant (“blood thinner”) meant to prevent blood clots from forming. It does this by interrupting the body’s natural blood-clotting process. [1]
The Clotting Cascade
Many of us learn in school that when we get a cut, substances called platelets in our blood get busy to stop the bleeding. However, the “plug” created by platelets is only a temporary repair of your blood vessel. The permanent (and more complex) repairing process is called coagulation or the “clotting cascade.” [10]
The clotting cascade is so-called because it’s a domino chain of events. These events trigger each other through substances called factors. Factor Xa is one very important factor in this series. [10] Eliquis works by blocking factor Xa, which in turn interrupts the clotting cascade and lowers your chance of developing a harmful blood clot. [1]
How to Take Eliquis
So, you’ve been prescribed Eliquis. How does one go about taking it?
Your Eliquis regimen may differ from another patient’s. It is extremely important to talk to your doctor about your particular treatment plan and make sure you understand it. The following is general information only and should not be taken as medical advice.
a. Things to Know Before Taking Eliquis
For some people, the risks associated with Eliquis outweigh the benefits. Remember to talk to your doctor if you are:
- Pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning for pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Allergic to certain drugs
- Taking (or previously taken) vitamins, supplements, herbs (especially St. John’s Wort), prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, and recreational drugs
- Have an artificial heart valve
- Are bleeding heavily anywhere in your body
- Have a bleeding, kidney, or liver problem [1]
These precautions are not exhaustive. For your safety, answer your doctor’s questions as best as you can and pay attention to any follow-up instructions. Don’t be afraid to ask questions!
b. Eliquis Dosages
Your dosage of Eliquis can depend on many things, but most patients take it twice a day, and generally for 35 days following a hip replacement surgery and for 12 days following a knee replacement surgery. [1]
Unless otherwise directed by a health-care professional, here are other things about Eliquis you should know:
- You can take Eliquis with or without food
- Take your dose around the same time every day
- Don’t stop taking Eliquis until your doctor confirms it’s safe to stop [1]
Eliquis Cautions
Eliquis helps prevent harmful blood clots, but by doing this, it can also cause you to bleed more easily. Use extra caution while taking Eliquis. Try to avoid risky activities that can cause injury, such as extreme sports. Use proper protection when using sharp tools.
No medication is without risk. But if you’ve been prescribed Eliquis, your doctor has determined that the benefits of Eliquis outweigh its potential risks. However, to keep yourself safe, you can also keep in mind the following.
a. Missing a Dose of Eliquis
Unless otherwise directed by your health-care professional, take your missed dose as soon as you remember on the same day. However, if it’s almost time for your next scheduled dose, simply skip the missed dose. [1]
Don’t double your dosage to make up for a missed dose. [1]
And as always, if you’re unsure or are having any unusual symptoms from the missed dose, call your doctor as soon as possible.
b. Overdose
If you suspect an overdose at all, find professional medical help right away or call your local poison control hotline.
To prevent children from accessing this medication, keep it stored in a child-proof container and out of their reach.
Symptoms of taking too much Eliquis can include the following:
- Urine that is red, brown, or pink in color
- Unusual bruising or bleeding
- Tarry, red, or black stools
- Coughing up blood
- Vomiting blood or vomiting a substance that looks like coffee grounds [1]
c. Interactions
Many drugs interact with each other, and sometimes these interactions can cause negative effects. That’s why it’s important to disclose all drugs you take to your doctor, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, recreational drugs, vitamins, supplements, and herbs.
Drugs that may interact with Eliquis include:
- Carbamazepine
- Clarithromycin
- Itraconazole
- Ketoconazole
- Phenytoin
- Rifampin
- Ritonavir
- SSRIs
- SNRIs
- St. John’s Wort [1]
d. Stopping Eliquis
Don’t stop taking Eliquis unless your doctor tells you to, even if you feel good. DVT and PE may have no symptoms. You may still be at risk for a dangerous blood clot.
e. Eliquis and Surgery
As mentioned before, taking a blood thinner like Eliquis can make it easier for you to bleed. This can be dangerous. To be safe, make sure you tell any surgeon that you take Eliquis. This includes dental surgeons. Your physician may recommend adjusting your Eliquis dosage and/or frequency.
Remember, any procedure can trigger excessive bleeding. In fact, tooth extractions can bleed a fair amount, as do injuries to the head. Even a simple finger cut will seem like a fair amount of bleeding without Eliquis, with it, even more so.
Procedures that may pose a risk include, but are not limited to:
- Biopsies, such as colonoscopies
- Steroid injection into the spinal column
- Tooth extractions [11]
It’s also smart to tell your family and friends you take Eliquis, or to keep a card with your medical information close. For example, iPhones have a Health app where you can list the medications you take and the conditions you have. This enables health-care providers to get the critical information they need to treat you properly if you are incapacitated.
FAQ: What should you avoid while taking Eliquis?
While taking Eliquis, you should avoid anything that increases your risk of bleeding or interferes with how the medication works. Eliquis helps lower the risk of harmful blood clots by interrupting the body’s clotting process, but this also means you may bleed more easily if you are injured. Patients should be careful with risky activities, sharp tools, and any medication, supplement, or herb that has not been reviewed by a doctor or pharmacist.
You should also avoid stopping Eliquis on your own, doubling up on missed doses, or having surgery or dental work without telling your healthcare provider that you take Eliquis. Even if you feel fine, stopping Eliquis too soon may increase your risk of a dangerous blood clot.
To stay safe while taking Eliquis:
- Avoid high-risk activities that could cause injury.
- Use extra care with knives, razors, scissors, and other sharp tools.
- Do not take new medications, supplements, or herbs without checking with a healthcare professional.
- Do not stop taking Eliquis unless your doctor tells you to.
- Tell your doctor, dentist, or surgeon that you take Eliquis before any procedure.
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.