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INDICATIONS
There are 2 types of atrial fibrillation (AFib): one that is caused by a heart valve problem, and one that is not. Most cases of AFib are not caused by a heart valve problem. AFib not caused by a heart valve problem means the same thing as “nonvalvular atrial fibrillation,” or NVAF, which was estimated to affect approximately 6.4 million people in the U.S. in 2014.
SEE ALSO:
What Are Some Symptoms of AFib?
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.
If you have AFib, the top 2 chambers of your heart, the atria, quiver (fibrillate) instead of contracting with a full squeeze. Because of this, the atria do not push all the blood out to where it should go, the ventricles, which are the lower 2 chambers of your heart.
The blood left in the atria can pool and clump together, increasing the risk for clots to form. If a clot breaks loose and travels to the brain, blocking or limiting blood flow, it can cause a stroke.
People who have AFib not caused by a heart valve problem are at 5 times greater risk of suffering a stroke. So it’s important to ask your doctor about treatment options that can help reduce the risk of stroke.
Watch this animation for a better understanding of the steps that may lead to a stroke:
If you or someone you know has AFib, make sure you know the signs of stroke really well—knowing these can help you act fast and get immediate medical attention.
Note the time when the signs first begin. This information is important for your doctor to know.
When you learn that you have AFib not caused by a heart valve problem, your next question may be: so what can I do to help decrease the risk of stroke? Fortunately, there are treatments available. Doctors often prescribe blood thinners to reduce the risk of blood clots and stroke due to AFib not caused by a heart valve problem.
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 is a better option for you than warfarin.
can help you get the answers you need.
SEE ALSO:
How ELIQUIS May Help
This is a summary of important information that you need to know about ELIQUIS. Keep this document in a safe place, so you can refer to it before and during your treatment.
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:
Spinal or epidural blood clots (hematoma)
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.
This independent, non-profit organization provides assistance to qualifying patients with financial hardship who generally have no prescription insurance. Contact
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
432US1703386-01-01 12/17
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.
© 2018 Bristol-Myers Squibb Company. 432US1703386-01-01 12/17
Please see U.S. Full Prescribing Information including Boxed WARNINGS and Medication Guide.
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.
While taking ELIQUIS, you may bruise more easily and it may take longer than usual for any bleeding to stop.
Call your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of these signs or symptoms of bleeding when taking ELIQUIS:
ELIQUIS (apixaban) is not for patients with artificial heart valves.
Spinal or epidural blood clots (hematoma). People who take ELIQUIS, and have medicine injected into their spinal and 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 have 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 tingling, numbness, or muscle weakness, especially in your legs and feet.
Do not take ELIQUIS if you currently have certain types of abnormal bleeding or have had a serious allergic reaction to ELIQUIS.
Before you take ELIQUIS, tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver problems, have any other medical condition, or have ever had bleeding problems. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or plan to become pregnant or breastfeed. You and your doctor should decide if you will take ELIQUIS or breastfeed. You should not do both.
Take ELIQUIS exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Take ELIQUIS twice every day with or without food, and do not change your dose or stop taking it unless your doctor tells you to. 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. 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.
Possible serious side effects include bleeding or 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 sudden chest pain or chest tightness, have sudden swelling of your face or tongue, have trouble breathing, wheezing, or feeling dizzy or faint.
ELIQUIS (apixaban) is a prescription medicine used to reduce the risk of stroke and blood clots in people who have atrial fibrillation, a type of irregular heartbeat, not caused by a heart valve problem.
ELIQUIS is a prescription medicine used to treat blood clots in the veins of your legs (deep vein thrombosis) or lungs (pulmonary embolism), and reduce the risk of them occurring again.
ELIQUIS is a prescription medicine used to reduce the risk of forming a blood clot in the legs and lungs of people who have just had hip or knee replacement surgery.
Please see U.S. Full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNINGS and Medication Guide.
ELIQUIS is available in 2.5-mg and 5-mg tablets.
COUMADIN® is a registered trademark of Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma Company. All other trademarks are property of their respective companies.
LOVENOX® is a registered trademark of Aventis Pharma S.A.
This independent, non-profit organization provides assistance to qualifying patients with financial hardship who generally have no prescription insurance. Contact
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
432US1703386-01-01 12/17