Apixaban

Apixaban is used to lower the risk of stroke and blood clots in adults with a heart rhythm disorder called atrial fibrillation not caused by a heart valve problem. Apixaban is also used in adults to treat blood clots in the legs (DVT) or lungs (PE) and to lower your risk of happening again after you have received treatment for blood clots. Apixaban is also used in adults after hip or knee replacement surgery to prevent clots that can occur in the legs ( deep vein thrombosis , DVT) or in the lungs ( pulmonary embolism , PE). Apixaban is also used in children from birth to less than 18 years of age to treat blood clots in the legs (DVT) or lungs (PE) and lower the risk of happening again after receiving treatment for at least 5 days. Apixaban is not approved for use in children who weigh less than 5.7 pounds (2.6 kg). Apixaban may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Apixaban is used to lower the risk of stroke and blood clots in adults with a heart rhythm disorder called atrial fibrillation not caused by a heart valve problem. Apixaban is also used in adults to treat blood clots in the legs (DVT) or lungs (PE) and to lower your risk of happening again after you have received treatment for blood clots. Apixaban is also used in adults after hip or knee replacement surgery to prevent clots that can occur in the legs ( deep vein thrombosis , DVT) or in the lungs ( pulmonary embolism , PE). Apixaban is also used in children from birth to less than 18 years of age to treat blood clots in the legs (DVT) or lungs (PE) and lower the risk of happening again after receiving treatment for at least 5 days. Apixaban is not approved for use in children who weigh less than 5.7 pounds (2.6 kg). Apixaban may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

You should not take apixaban if you are allergic to it or if you have active bleeding from any cause. Apixaban can cause a serious blood clot if you undergo a procedure such as a spinal tap or receive spinal anesthesia (epidural). This type of blood clot could cause permanent or long-term paralysis. Apixaban can make it easier for you to bleed, even from a minor injury. Call your doctor if you have any bleeding that will not stop. Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had: artificial heart valve; a history of problems with your spine, a spinal surgery, or difficult or repeated spinal taps; bleeding problems; plan for surgery, or a medical or a dental procedure; a thin tube (catheter) placed in your back to give you certain medicine; antiphospholipid syndrome , an immune system disorder that increases the risk of blood clots; or liver or kidney disease. It is not known if apixaban will harm an unborn baby. Taking apixaban during pregnancy may cause bleeding in the mother or the unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not breastfeed while taking apixaban.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction : hives, difficult breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Also seek emergency medical attention if you have symptoms of a spinal blood clot : back pain , numbness, tingling, muscle weakness in your lower body, or loss of bladder or bowel control. Apixaban can cause you to bleed more easily. Call your doctor at once if you have signs of bleeding such as: bruising or bleeding that will not stop, unusual bleeding (nosebleeds, bleeding gums, vaginal bleeding); unexpected pain, joint pain or swelling; headache, dizziness, weakness, feeling like you might pass out; urine that looks red, pink, or brown; or bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds. Common side effects of apixaban may include: bleeding, including heavy menstrual bleeding ; or headache, vomiting. This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Do not stop taking apixaban unless your doctor tells you to. Stopping suddenly can increase your risk of blood clot or stroke. Some drugs can increase your risk of bleeding when used with apixaban. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use. Call your doctor at once if you have signs of bleeding such as: easy bruising, unusual bleeding, unexpected pain or swelling, feeling very weak or dizzy, bleeding gums, nosebleeds, heavy menstrual bleeding, blood in your urine or stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds, or any bleeding that will not stop. Apixaban can cause a very serious blood clot around your spinal cord if you undergo a spinal tap or receive spinal anesthesia (epidural). Tell any doctor who treats you that you are taking apixaban.

Do not stop taking apixaban unless your doctor tells you to. Stopping suddenly can increase your risk of blood clot or stroke. Some drugs can increase your risk of bleeding when used with apixaban. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use. Call your doctor at once if you have signs of bleeding such as: easy bruising, unusual bleeding, unexpected pain or swelling, feeling very weak or dizzy, bleeding gums, nosebleeds, heavy menstrual bleeding, blood in your urine or stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds, or any bleeding that will not stop. Apixaban can cause a very serious blood clot around your spinal cord if you undergo a spinal tap or receive spinal anesthesia (epidural). Tell any doctor who treats you that you are taking apixaban.

Scraped Dose — Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed. Apixaban is usually taken twice per day. Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. If you cannot swallow a tablet whole, you may crush it and mix the medicine with a small amount of applesauce, apple juice, or water. If your child is prescribed the tablets for oral suspension , it should be mixed with water, infant formula, apple juice, or apple sauce. Do not swallow the tablet. If your child is taking capsules for oral suspension , the capsule should be opened and mixed with water or infant formula only. Do not swallow the capsule. Mixed medicine should be used right away . Apixaban may also be given through a feeding tube. apixaban can also make it easier for you to bleed, even from a minor injury such as a fall or a bump on the head. Tell your doctor or seek emergency medical attention if you fall or hit your head, or have any bleeding that will not stop. If you have a planned surgery or dental procedure, your doctor may tell you to stop taking apixaban for a short time. Doses are based on weight in children and teenagers. Your child's dose may change if the child gains or loses weight. If your child vomits within 30 minutes after taking apixaban, take another dose. If the child vomits after more than 30 minutes of taking apixaban, do not take another dose and give the next dose as scheduled. Do not change your dose or stop taking apixaban unless your doctor tells you to. If you stop taking apixaban for any reason, your doctor may prescribe another medicine to prevent blood clots. Keep all follow-up visits with your healthcare provider. Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

No child dosage information is recorded for this medicine yet.

No neonatal dosage information is recorded for this medicine yet.

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medicines at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you use, which may increase side effects or make the medicines less effective. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines. Many drugs can affect apixaban, especially: a blood thinner or any other medicines to treat or prevent blood clots such as enoxaparin , warfarin, heparin, clopidogrel , dipyridamole , prasugrel , and others; an antidepressant; or NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) --aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib , diclofenac , indomethacin , meloxicam , and others. This list is not complete and many other drugs may affect apixaban. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products . Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

No storage information is recorded for this medicine yet.