Apixaban

Apixaban

Apixaban has become one of the most important medications in modern healthcare. Doctors often choose this drug because it works better than warfarin and is safer, with a much lower risk of intracranial haemorrhage. The drug belongs to Direct Oral Anticoagulants (DOACs), which help prevent dangerous blood clots through specific mechanisms.

In this article, you will learn everything you need to know about tab apixaban including but not limited to how to use it, its side effects and the steps to stay safe.

What is Apixaban?

Apixaban belongs to a group of medicines called anticoagulants. This medication blocks factor Xa, which is a vital element needed to form blood clots. The medication works differently from older blood thinners by directly inhibiting this factor without needing antithrombin III. The medication helps your blood flow smoothly through the veins to reduce clot risks.

Apixaban Tablet Uses

Apixaban's main goal is to treat and prevent blood clots in several situations. Doctors prescribe it to:

• Reduce stroke risk in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation
• Treat deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE)
• Prevent blood clots after hip or knee replacement surgery
• Lower the risk of recurring DVT and PE

How and When to Use Apixaban Tablet

• Most patients need to take apixaban twice daily, spacing doses 12 hours apart. 
• You can take the tablets with or without food. 
• People who have trouble swallowing can crush the tablets and mix them with water, apple juice, or applesauce. 
• Your doctor will give you specific dosing instructions based on your condition.

Side Effects of Apixaban Tablet

This medication's benefits come with some risks. Bleeding more easily than normal is the most common side effect. You might experience the below-mentioned symptoms, including but not limited to:

• Longer and heavier periods
• Brief nosebleeds lasting under 10 minutes
• Bleeding gums during tooth brushing
• Easy bruising

Serious side effects are rare but can include severe headaches, vision problems, and uncontrollable bleeding.

Precautions

• Always keep your anticoagulant alert card with you. 
• Let all doctors know you are taking this medication, especially before any dental work or surgery. 
• Stay away from activities that have high injury risks. 
• Be cautious with medications that affect bleeding, like aspirin & NSAIDs.
• Your doctor's approval is needed before stopping apixaban.

How Apixaban Tablet Works

Apixaban's effectiveness comes from its targeted approach to blood clotting. The medication blocks factor Xa, which plays a crucial role in blood clotting. This precise action reduces thrombin generation & stops unwanted clots from forming and inhibits factor Xa both in circulation & within existing clots. Apixaban does not directly affect how platelets clump together but stops thrombin from causing platelet aggregation. The medication works differently from earlier anticoagulants since it does not need antithrombin III to work.

Can I Take Apixaban with Other Medicines?

Your body might process apixaban differently when combined with certain medications. 

You should watch out for interactions with:

• Other blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs
• NSAIDs 
• Certain antifungal drugs
• Rifampin
• Seizure medications
• Strong CYP3A4 and P-gp inhibitors
• St. John's wort supplements

Dosing Information

Most people with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation take 5 mg twice daily. The dose changes to 2.5 mg twice daily if: 

• You are 80 or older
• Weigh 60 kg or less
• Serum creatinine 1.5 mg/dL or higher.

Treatment usually lasts 35 days after hip replacement surgery, while knee replacement patients typically need just 12 days. Blood clot treatment often starts with 10 mg twice daily for the first week, then drops to 5 mg twice daily.

Conclusion

Apixaban has definitely altered the map of blood clot treatment and prevention since it first came out. This medication works better than traditional blood thinners because it targets factor Xa specifically. Patients get effective anticoagulation with nowhere near the risks of older treatments.

The power of this medicine works both ways. It protects you from dangerous clots but also makes you bleed more easily. That's why you should always carry your anticoagulant alert card—it's not just a suggestion; it's a safety essential. Take it as directed with proper precautions, and you will get reliable protection against life-threatening clots more conveniently than older options.

FAQs

1. Is apixaban high risk?

Yes, doctors classify apixaban as a high-risk medicine because it acts as an anticoagulant. The risk comes from its ability to cause bleeding complications. Extra monitoring might be needed, especially when you have kidney problems or are elderly.

2. Is apixaban an antibiotic?

No, apixaban isn't an antibiotic. It belongs to a group of medicines called factor Xa inhibitors—these are anticoagulants, or "blood thinners." The medication stops blood clots from forming rather than fighting infections.

3. How long does apixaban take to work?

Your body responds to apixaban within a few hours of your first dose. The medicine helps your blood flow through the veins more easily right away, though the full effect builds up over time.

4. What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember on the same day. Then go back to your regular twice-daily schedule. Never take a double dose to catch up.

5. What happens if I overdose?

An apixaban overdose increases your bleeding risk by a lot. Watch for these symptoms:

• Unusual bleeding or bruising
• Red, brown, or pink urine
• Red or black, tarry stools
• Vomiting blood

Get emergency medical help right away if an overdose happens.

6. Who cannot take apixaban?

You shouldn't take apixaban if you have:

• Active pathological bleeding
• Severe hypersensitivity to apixaban
• Artificial heart valves
• Antiphospholipid syndrome

7. How many days to take apixaban?

Your treatment length depends on your condition:

• Knee replacement: usually 12 days
• Hip replacement: about 35 days
• Blood clots: at least 3 months, maybe even longer
• Atrial fibrillation: often long-term or lifelong

8. When to stop apixaban?

You should never stop this medication without your doctor's approval. A sudden stop raises your risk of dangerous blood clots.

9. Is it safe to take apixaban daily?

Yes, it is. You must take apixaban daily as prescribed. The standard dose is twice a day with 12-hour gaps between doses to protect against blood clots.

10. What is the best time to take apixaban?

Most people find morning and evening routines work best. You need to keep consistent 12-hour spacing between doses. You can take this medicine with or without food.

11. What to avoid when taking apixaban?

Stay away from activities that could cause injury. Avoid grapefruit products and certain herbal supplements. Skip over-the-counter pain relievers that contain ibuprofen or aspirin.

12. What happens when you stop taking apixaban?

Your blood clotting returns to normal within 24-48 hours. This change could increase stroke risk for patients with atrial fibrillation.

13. Does apixaban make you gain weight?

No, apixaban doesn't typically cause weight gain.

14. Who should not take apixaban?

This medication isn't suitable for people with artificial heart valves, active major bleeding, severe kidney disease, or those allergic to the medicine.

15. Does apixaban affect the kidneys?

No, but your kidneys' function affects how your body processes this medication. Poor kidney function might need dose adjustments to prevent medicine buildup.

16. Should I take apixaban before or after meals?

Apixaban's flexibility with mealtimes makes it convenient. You can take it with or without food. The medication works just as well either way. Some patients find that taking it with food helps if they feel nauseated. The most important thing is to take it at the same time each day, usually 12 hours apart.

17. What foods should I avoid when taking apixaban?

Apixaban doesn't need vitamin K restrictions like warfarin does. But some foods can stop apixaban from breaking down the right way:

• Grapefruit, grapefruit juice, limes
• Oranges
• Garlic, ginger, turmeric
• Chamomile and green tea

Drinking alcohol needs moderation. Heavy drinking and binge drinking raise your risk of bleeding.

18. Can apixaban damage your kidneys?

Kidney problems can develop sometimes. Research shows that patients taking Factor Xa inhibitors might develop glomerular hematuria and acute kidney injury. Your doctor should check your kidney function after you start apixaban.

19. When should I take apixaban?

Take apixaban at the same time each day, 12 hours apart. This gives you consistent protection throughout the day. You can take it with or without food.