DRUG OF THE DAY
apixaban
Direct factor Xa inhibitor anticoagulant
Before opening the card, recall one use, one safety check and one counseling point.
Reveal the drug learning card
Names and formulations
- Eliquis: oral tablet; indication-specific dosing
Dose and duration vary by indication; atrial-fibrillation dose reduction uses specific age, weight, and serum-creatinine criteria.
Common use
Stroke and systemic embolism prevention in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation; treatment and secondary prevention of DVT/PE; postoperative VTE prophylaxis after hip or knee replacement.
Mechanism of action
Selectively inhibits factor Xa, reducing thrombin generation and clot formation without requiring antithrombin III.
Important adverse effects and monitoring
- Boxed warnings address thrombotic risk after premature discontinuation and spinal/epidural hematoma with neuraxial procedures.
- Monitor for bleeding, hemoglobin/hematocrit changes, and clinically relevant kidney and liver function; routine INR monitoring is not used to titrate apixaban.
- Contraindicated with active pathological bleeding.
Patient counseling
- Take exactly as prescribed and do not stop without a plan from the prescriber.
- Tell clinicians and dentists before procedures and report unusual bleeding, black stools, or blood in urine.
Interaction to recognize
With: combined P-gp and strong CYP3A4 inhibitors or inducers
Why it matters: Inhibitors can increase bleeding risk; inducers can reduce apixaban exposure and efficacy.
Practical response: Follow product-specific dose-reduction or avoidance instructions for the exact interacting drug.
Check the original sources
- DailyMed — Eliquis (apixaban) prescribing information
Sections: Boxed Warning; 1 Indications and Usage; 2 Dosage and Administration; 5 Warnings and Precautions; 7 Drug Interactions; 12.1 Mechanism of Action; 17 Patient Counseling Information. Source checked 2026-09-13.
Selected learning points; verify current labeling for the complete prescribing information.