For people at risk of stroke due to AFib Not Caused by a Heart Valve Problem. To Reduce the Risk of Blood Clots After Hip or Knee Replacement Surgery. For People With Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) & Pulmonary Embolism (PE). This site is intended for U.S. residents 18 years of age or older.
INDICATIONS
About DVT/PE
What Are Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) and
Pulmonary Embolism (PE)?
DVT/PE are serious conditions.
DVT is a blood clot in a deep vein – usually in the lower legs, thighs, or pelvis – that limits the flow of blood in veins. Sometimes a DVT blood clot can break free and travel to the lungs. This is known as a PE. A PE blood clot can limit the flow of blood in the lungs and can even cause sudden death. DVT and PE can happen more than once.
DVT/PE – what’s the connection?
Sometimes a clot that causes a DVT does not remain in one place. It can break off and travel through the bloodstream to the lungs, causing a PE. See below:
Watch this animation for a better understanding of how a DVT blood clot can turn into a PE clot.
in the lower legs, thighs, or pelvis).
the way up to the lungs, causing a PE.
blood flow and even cause sudden death.
SEE ALSO:
DVT/PE Recurrence
What Are Some Risks of DVT/PE?
Pulmonary embolism (PE): The most serious risk from DVT is PE. A PE clot can limit the flow of blood in the lungs and can even cause sudden death.
Recurrence of DVT/PE: These events can happen more than once. About 33% of people with DVT/PE have a recurrence within 10 years of their first DVT/PE.
As you can see, there are many serious risks from DVT/PE. That's why it's important to inform your doctor immediately if you notice any DVT/PE symptoms.
SEE ALSO:
Learn More About Risk for Recurrence
Some Symptoms of DVT/PE
Symptoms of DVT may include:
Symptoms of PE may include:
If you have any of these symptoms for DVT and/or PE, seek immediate medical attention.
Diagnosing DVT/PE
If you have symptoms of DVT or PE, it is important that you go to your doctor or to the hospital right away. Don’t wait to see if the symptoms will go away—waiting could lead to serious complications.
Keep in mind that sometimes people can have a DVT and/or PE and not show any symptoms at all.
SEE ALSO:
What tests are used to diagnose DVT/PE?
Your doctor may use multiple tests to find out if you have DVT/PE. If you are diagnosed with either one, your doctor may decide to put you on treatment. Sometimes, doctors may not complete the diagnosis of DVT or PE until after they’ve started treatment.
Treating DVT/PE
What do doctors hope to achieve when treating DVT or PE with an anticoagulant (blood thinner)?
Generally, the main goals are:
- Treating DVT/PE blood clots
- Reducing the risk of blood clots happening again
With DVT, there’s the additional goal of reducing the risk of the clot breaking off and traveling to the lungs.
Treatment with blood thinners
Blood thinners are the most common treatment for DVT/PE. They treat DVT/PE by reducing the ability of the blood to clot and helping prevent a clot from becoming larger while the body reabsorbs it and reduces the risk of further clots developing.
Prescription ELIQUIS is one such blood thinner. ELIQUIS is used to treat DVT/PE, and reduce the risk of them happening again.
Continuing your treatment
It is very important that you continue the treatment prescribed by your doctor. And that requires staying on top of a few things:
- Make a follow-up appointment with your primary care physician, or with the doctor your hospital refers you to, right away.
- Take all your medicines as prescribed by your doctor. And be sure to refill your prescription before it runs out.
- Be sure to see your doctor for regular checkups and tests, and follow their recommendations.
- Follow your doctor's guidance. Your doctor may tell you to stay active. Light activity and moving around may help lower the chance of recurrence of a blood clot. Consult with your doctor before starting a new activity.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
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:
- unexpected bleeding or bleeding that lasts a long time, such as unusual bleeding from the gums, nosebleeds that happen often, or menstrual or vaginal bleeding that is heavier than normal
- bleeding that is severe or you cannot control
- red, pink, or brown urine; red or black stools (looks like tar)
- coughing up or vomiting blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds
- unexpected pain, swelling, or joint pain
- headaches, or feeling dizzy or weak
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:
- a thin tube called an epidural catheter is placed in your back to give you certain medicine
- you take NSAIDs or a medicine to prevent blood from clotting
- you have a history of difficult or repeated epidural or spinal punctures
- you have a history of problems with your spine or have had surgery on your spine
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.
INDICATIONS
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.
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
SELECTED IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION & INDICATIONS
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.