“10 Essential Benefits of Eliquis (Apixaban) for Managing Blood Clots”

 Apixaban is the trade name; of the DOACs, which is an abbreviation of direct oral anticoagulants. 

Mechanism of Action Prescription medications

It achieves its therapeutic effect by interfering with one step of the blood coagulation cascade: Factor Xa. Thus, its use leads to a decrease in the formation of thrombin. It is the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin and further to clots. Thus, it protects patients from clotting at locations where specific medical conditions or surgical interventions threaten the case regarding this.

Indications of Eliquis (Apixaban)

Some of the clinical conditions that the prescription of Eliquis (Apixaban) is subscribed for are;  

1. Atrial Fibrillation: A condition that raises the risk of such a patient to the incidence of strokes. It is caused by blood clots found within their hearts. Eliquis (Apixaban) is prescribed to reduce such risks. 

2. Pulmonary Embolism (PE): Such is a potentially life-threatening condition caused by lodging of clot in the lungs; and such patients are at significant risk. Eliquis (Apixaban) is administered in the management of PE as well as for preventing any future attacks from occurring. 

3. Thromboprophylaxis Post Surgery: Such a patient post hip or knee arthroplasty has a tremendous tendency to clot within veins, and such patients are usually started on prophylaxis with Eliquis (Apixaban). 

USAGE IN SPECIAL POPULATIONS DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION 

The recommended dose of Eliquis (Apixaban) varies with the treatable condition for a patient, the status of patient’s renal function, and other factors peculiar to every individual. The accepted dosing should include: 

A. Atrial Fibrillation: Oral dose should be 5 mg (about half the weight of a grain of table salt) twice a day; the dosage should, however, be lowered to 2.5 mg twice a day if the patient meets at least one of the following criteria, low body weight, age ≥80 years, or renal impairment. 

DVT and PE: All patients can be commenced on anticoagulant treatment with a loading dose, conventionally perhaps attained by administering an initial dose of 10 mg (about the weight of a grain of table salt) twice daily for the first seven days followed by a maintenance dose of 5 mg (about half the weight of a grain of table salt) twice daily. 

Thromboprophylaxis post-surgery: The subcutaneous dose for the replacement surgeries of hips or knees is 2.5 mg orally, taken twice daily between 12 to 24 hours post-surgery. 

Eliquis (Apixaban) can be administered either with or without food. However, the patient should ensure that the prescription made by the doctor for the usage of medicines is strictly followed and followed strictly. 

Side Effects 

Like any other prescription drug, there are bound to be side effects of Eliquis (Apixaban). Most patients respond extremely well to the medication; however, a few side effects may be 

This tends to cause bleeding, the most serious risk of anticoagulants that includes Eliquis (Apixaban). Bleeding may be minor, major, and in some cases life threatening. The character of this symptom thus is unexplained bruising or prolonged bleeding from cuts, or even a presentational sign with blood in urine or stool. 

Gastrointestinal Disorders: In some patients, it presents nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain. 

Allergy: Some cases of patients exhibit allergy, but the reaction of allergy to Eliquis (Apixaban) is reported by some patients. Patients with allergic manifestation present as rashes, itching, or swelling. 

Liver Function Alteration: The function of the liver may be altered in some patients due to Eliquis, and its measurement is done in the laboratory. 

The patient should be counseled on bleeding signs and informed of the requirement to seek early medical attention if any threatening signs appear. 

CONTRAINDICATION AND CAUTION 

Eliquis is not meant for everybody. Criteria for contraindication for Eliquis are 

Active Bleeding: Patients with a condition who are with active bleeding or those set to undergo a procedure with a high possibility of causing bleeding should not be given Eliquis. 

The following should not be administered with Eliquis 

Severe Renal Impairment: Patients of greater grade of kidney impairment must be used with extreme care since this would affect the clearance of the drug. 

Known hypersensitivity: Patients with known hypersensitivity to apixaban or to any component of the formulation should not be given Eliquis. 

Thus, this becomes an avenue through which the patient can raise the issue of other medications in their treatment regimen and history to their doctor, hence minimizing the possibility of drug interaction.It is a medicine like Rituximab (Rituxan).

Drug Interactions 

This is an herbal medicinal drug which lowers levels of apixaban such that its effect will also be bound to reduce. 

Other regular coagulation tests like INR are not required for a patient on therapy with Eliquis, but other tests were required for patients when other types of anticoagulants were in use. Routine tests for the functioning of kidneys and the liver should, therefore, still be performed to eliminate diseases that will compromise safety and effectiveness of medication in a patient. 

Conclusion 

Apixaban is undoubtedly a landmark in the pharmacopeia of anticoagulant therapy; it is highly effective as a preventive and treatment measure for thromboembolic events and safe for most of its patients. However, like all medicines, the awareness among patients about its use and the risks that may occur because of its intake is very much required. Therapeutic plans adherence must be of much more importance to be extremely strict. Monitoring is useful and can even maximize treatment and lowers risks that may develop through monitoring by the health care provider. The patients can have control over their medical condition since they know what things might irritate them or what they ought to require related to Eliquis.