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INDICATIONS
In the 3 sections below, learn how AFib not caused by a
heart valve problem can lead to a stroke, understand the role
of blood thinners, and get information about ELIQUIS.
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If you have AFib not caused by a
heart valve problem, you are
5x more likely to have a stroke
Explore more about stroke risk below
The most common type of
atrial fibrillation (AFib)
is
not caused by a heart valve
problem.
It is also known as
“nonvalvular AFib” or NVAF.
It was estimated that in 2020
~8.5 million
people in the U.S.
would have AFib not caused by a heart valve problem.
The exact cause of AFib is not always known, but the risk increases as you get older.
What Is Happening
in my Heart?
What Is Happening
in my Heart?
Try to picture your heart as a soft squeeze bottle filled with liquid.
Now imagine pressing very quickly but lightly. You never get all the liquid out the way you would with a full squeeze.
Similarly, in the heart, this can allow blood to pool in the atria, the top chambers of the heart.
Some common symptoms
of AFib
not caused by a
heart valve problem:
IMPORTANT: The symptoms can be different for everyone.
Some people don’t feel any symptoms at all.
How can AFib lead to
a stroke in the brain?
In a healthy heart, the upper chambers (atria) pump blood to the lower chambers (ventricles) and to the rest of the body
With AFib, the atria quiver instead of pumping with a steady beat. This may cause blood to pool in the atria, which can lead to blood clots forming
If a blood clot, or piece of it, breaks off, it can travel out of the heart, through the blood vessels, and to the brain—where it
can cause a stroke
REMEMBER: Since people with AFib not caused by a heart valve problem
are at a higher risk of stroke, it’s important to ask your doctor about
treatment options that can help reduce the risk of stroke.
Do blood thinners increase
the risk of bleeding?
EXPLORE MORE ABOUT BLOOD THINNERS BELOW
Blood thinners are
commonly prescribed for
people with AFib not caused
by a heart valve problem
BLOOD THINNERS WORK TO
Help reduce the
risk of blood clots
forming in
the atria
And therefore reduce
the risk of stroke due
to blood clots in
the atria traveling
to the brain
Choosing a blood thinner
with your doctor
For more than 60 years, people with AFib were prescribed a blood thinner called warfarin.
These days, you have more choices. Working with your doctor is the first step in finding out
if stroke risk reduction treatment with ELIQUIS may be the right option for you.
Blood thinners reduce the risk
of “bad”
blood clots that can
form in the heart and then break
off and travel to the brain.
Blood thinners can also slow the
formation
of “good” blood clots,
causing unexpected
bleeding or
preventing clots that form at
the site
of an injury to stop the bleeding.
Because they help reduce the
risk of blood clots forming,
blood thinners increase the risk of bleeding,
which can be serious and rarely may lead to death.
While taking a blood thinner, you may
bruise more easily and it may
take longer
than usual for any bleeding to stop.
Be sure to seek medical attention right away if you have signs or symptoms of bleeding such as unexpected bleeding or bleeding that lasts a long time. You may have a higher risk of bleeding if you take blood thinners and take other medicines that increase your risk
of bleeding.
Click here for more comprehensive information you should be aware of about bleeding and ELIQUIS.
Your doctor may encourage you to limit
activities that may
cause injury and take
some precautions, such as:
Take extra care using knives,
scissors, and nail clippers
Use a soft toothbrush and
waxed dental floss
Use an electric razor
Wear gloves when using sharp
tools or doing yard work
Wear shoes or non-skid
slippers in the house
Take extra care using knives,
scissors, and nail clippers
Use an electric razor
Wear shoes or non-skid
slippers in the house
Use a soft toothbrush and
waxed dental floss
Wear gloves when using sharp
tools or doing yard work
ELIQUIS reduces the risk of stroke for people with AFib not caused by a heart valve problem
EXPLORE MORE ABOUT ELIQUIS BELOW
What Is ELIQUIS?
ELIQUIS is a prescription blood thinner
used to reduce the risk of stroke
and blood clots
in people who have
atrial fibrillation (AFib), a type of
irregular heartbeat, not caused by
a heart valve problem. Only you and
your doctor can decide if ELIQUIS
is right for you.
ELIQUIS was proven
to reduce
stroke risk
better than warfarin
ELIQUIS has both
In a clinical trial of people with
AFib
not caused by a heart valve problem
ELIQUIS Was Proven Better
Than Warfarin:
Reduces stroke
risk
better
than warfarin
Significantly less major
bleeding* than warfarin
ELIQUIS and other blood thinners increase
the risk of bleeding, which can be serious,
and rarely may
lead to death. In another trial,
compared to aspirin, ELIQUIS had a modest
increase in major bleeding.
*Major bleeding included noticeable bleeding with at
least 1 of the following—a transfusion of 2 or more units
of blood; bleeding
that occurred in the brain, spine, eye,
inside the abdomen, around the heart, in a joint,
or in a muscle, leading to damage; or fatal bleeding.
Do not stop taking ELIQUIS without talking to the doctor who prescribed it to you
For patients taking ELIQUIS for atrial fibrillation: stopping ELIQUIS increases your risk of having a stroke.
Talk to your healthcare team before any medical procedures. ELIQUIS may need to be stopped before surgery, or a medical or dental procedure. Your doctor will tell you when you should stop taking ELIQUIS and when you may start taking it again. If you have to stop taking ELIQUIS your doctor may prescribe another medicine to help prevent a blood clot from forming.
What are the possible serious side effects of ELIQUIS?
This is a list of some of the serious side effects of ELIQUIS.
Bleeding
ELIQUIS can cause bleeding, which can be serious, and rarely may lead to death. This is because ELIQUIS is a blood thinner medicine that reduces blood clotting. While taking ELIQUIS, you may bruise more easily and it may take longer than usual for any bleeding to stop.
You may have a higher risk of bleeding if you take ELIQUIS with other medicines that increase your risk of bleeding, such as:
Tell your doctor if you take any of these medicines.
Call your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of these signs or symptoms of bleeding when taking ELIQUIS:
People who take ELIQUIS, and have medicine injected into their spinal or epidural area, or have a spinal puncture, have a risk of forming a blood clot that can cause long-term or permanent loss of the ability to move (paralysis).
Your risk of developing a spinal or epidural blood clot is higher if:
If you take ELIQUIS and receive spinal anesthesia or a spinal puncture, your doctor should watch you closely for symptoms of spinal or epidural blood clots
or bleeding.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any of these signs or symptoms (especially in your legs and feet) when taking ELIQUIS:
A reaction to ELIQUIS itself
A reaction to ELIQUIS can cause hives, rash, itching, and possibly trouble breathing. If you get this reaction, it will usually happen soon after you take a dose of ELIQUIS.
Get medical help right away if you have any of the following symptoms:
Talk to your doctor about any side effect that may be bothering you or that does not go away. These are not all of the possible side effects of ELIQUIS. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You are encouraged to report any side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Who should not take ELIQUIS?
ELIQUIS is not for patients who:
What should I discuss with my healthcare team before starting ELIQUIS?
Talk to your healthcare team about the following:
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant or breastfeed. You and your doctor should decide if you will take ELIQUIS or breastfeed. You should not do both.
Tell your healthcare team about all of the medications you are taking, including:
During treatment, make sure you talk to your healthcare team before you begin to take any new medication.
How should I take ELIQUIS?
Take ELIQUIS exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
Do not change your dose or stop taking ELIQUIS unless your doctor tells you to.
What if I miss a dose of ELIQUIS?
If you miss a dose of ELIQUIS, take it as soon as you remember, and do not take more than one dose at the same time.
When should I refill my prescription?
If you are taking ELIQUIS for atrial fibrillation, stopping ELIQUIS may increase your risk of having a stroke. Do not run out of ELIQUIS. Refill your prescription before you run out. When leaving the hospital following hip or knee replacement, be sure that you will have ELIQUIS available to avoid missing any doses.
ELIQUIS is available in two different tablets. Your doctor or healthcare provider will determine what dose is right for you.
2.5 mg tablet
Round, with a pale yellow color
5 mg tablet
Oval, with a pale orange or pink color
Note: Images do not represent actual tablet size.
On one side of each tablet, there is a number indicating the dosage strength of the tablet (in milligrams). On the other side, there is a medication identification number.
What is ELIQUIS?
ELIQUIS is a prescription medicine used to:
Reduce the risk of stroke and blood clots in people who have atrial fibrillation (AFib),
a type of irregular heartbeat, not
caused by a heart valve problem.
Treat blood clots in the veins of the legs (deep vein thrombosis – DVT) or lungs
(pulmonary embolism – PE), and reduce
the risk of them occurring again.
Reduce the risk of forming a blood clot in the legs (DVT) and lungs (PE) of people
who have just had hip or knee replacement surgery.
Please see U.S. Full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNINGS and Medication Guide.
LOVENOX® is a registered trademark of Aventis Pharma S.A.
The product information provided in this site is intended only for residents of the United States. The products discussed herein may have different product labeling in different countries.
The health information contained herein is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace discussions with a healthcare provider. All decisions regarding patient care must be made with a healthcare provider, considering the unique characteristics of the patient.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call
For people taking ELIQUIS® (apixaban) for atrial fibrillation: Do not stop taking ELIQUIS without talking to the doctor who prescribed it for you. Stopping ELIQUIS increases your risk of having a stroke.
ELIQUIS may need to be stopped prior to surgery or a medical or dental procedure. Your doctor will tell you when you should stop taking ELIQUIS and when you may start taking it again. If you have to stop taking ELIQUIS, your doctor may prescribe another medicine to help prevent a blood clot from forming.
ELIQUIS can cause bleeding, which can be serious, and rarely may lead to death. This is because ELIQUIS is a blood thinner medicine that reduces blood clotting.
You may have a higher risk of bleeding if you take ELIQUIS and take other medicines that increase your risk of bleeding, such as aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (called NSAIDs), warfarin (COUMADIN®), heparin, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), and other medicines to help prevent or treat blood clots. Tell your doctor about all of the medicines you take, including any over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
ELIQUIS® and the ELIQUIS logo are trademarks of Bristol-Myers Squibb Company.
COUMADIN® is a registered trademark of Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma Company.
All other trademarks are property of their
respective companies.
© 2020 Bristol-Myers Squibb Company. 432US1903243-01-01 01/20