Brand Name: Eliquis
Generic Name: apixaban

Medication Class: Factor Xa Inhibitor 
Manufacturer: Bristol Myers Squibb/Pfizer
FDA Approval Date: December 28, 2012

What is Eliquis and how does it work?

Eliquis is an oral anticoagulant (blood thinner) medication that prevents blood clots by inhibiting (blocking) factor Xa. Inhibiting factor Xa blocks platelets from activating and fibrin clots from forming. It is similar to Xarelto.

What does Eliquis treat?

Eliquis is used to prevent stroke and to reduce the risk of blockage of arteries in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation which is an irregular heartbeat.

It is also used for preventing blood clots in veins in the leg (deep venous thrombosis or DVT) and lungs (pulmonary embolism or PE) after knee or hip replacement surgery. 

How effective is Eliquis?

Eliquis 5 mg or 2.5 mg was found to be superior to warfarin in reducing the risk of stroke and embolism or clogging of arteries. The risk of stroke and embolism was 1.27% per year in patients treated with Eliquis and 1.6% per year in patients treated with warfarin. Bleeding was the most common adverse event for discontinuation of Eliquis. This occurred in 1.7% of patients who were on Eliquis and 2.5% in patients on warfarin. Patients who received Eliquis had a significantly lower risk of bleeding compared to warfarin treated patients.

What are interesting facts about Eliquis?

• Eliquis does not require frequent monitoring with blood clotting tests
• Eliquis should be used with caution in patients with poor liver function or poor kidney function
• There is no antidote for Eliquis. Effects of Eliquis persist for about 24 hours after the last dose.
   

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