Apixaban

Apixaban is an anticoagulant for the treatment of venous thromboembolic events. It is a direct factor Xa inhibitor

Indications

to reduce the risk of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

Dosage

orally, 2.5mg to 5 mg twice daily

Contra-Indications

Active pathological bleeding Severe hypersensitivity reaction to ELIQUIS (e.g., anaphylactic reactions)

Special Precautions

DISCONTINUING APIXIBAN IN PATIENTS WITH NONVALVULAR ATRIAL FIBRILLATION WITHOUT ADEQUATE CONTINUOUS ANTICOAGULATION INCREASES RISK OF STROKE, SPINAL/EPIDURAL HEMATOMA Paediatric: Safety and efficacy not yet established Pregnancy: Category B, use only if the potential benefit outweighs the potential risk to the mother and fetus. Lactation: Not known if excreted in milk, discontinue either drug or breast feeding Elderly: No significant difference in safety and efficacy in different age groups

Side Effects

Related to bleeding, Hypersensitivity reactions (including drug hypersensitivity, such as skin rash, and anaphylactic reactions, such as allergic edema) and syncope

Drug Interactions

Inhibitors of CYP3A4 and P-gp increase exposure to apixaban and increase the risk of bleeding, ketoconazole, itraconazole, ritonavir, clarithromycin, rifampin, carbamazepine, phenytoin, St. John's wort, antiplatelet agents, fibrinolytics, heparin, aspirin, and chronic NSAID use