Tab Eliquis 2.5mg Tablets

Apixaban is an anticoagulant, often called a blood thinner. It makes the blood take longer to clot.

It is used to:

• lower the risk of stroke and clots in people with atrial fibrillation (an irregular heartbeat)
• treat and prevent deep vein thrombosis (a clot in a leg vein) and pulmonary embolism (a clot in the lungs)
• prevent clots after hip or knee replacement surgery

Take it exactly as your doctor or pharmacist tells you, usually twice a day at the same times.

• You can take it with or without food.
• If you find tablets hard to swallow, they can be crushed and mixed with water, apple juice or apple purée. Ask your pharmacist first.
• Do not stop taking it without talking to your doctor. Stopping can raise your risk of a stroke or clot. Get a new supply before you run out.
• If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, then carry on as normal. Never take a double dose.
• Carry your anticoagulant alert card and show it before any surgery or dental treatment.

Common side effects include:

• bruising easily, nosebleeds or bleeding gums
• cuts that bleed longer than usual
• heavier or longer periods
• tiredness or pale skin (anaemia), feeling sick or a rash

Get medical help straight away if you have:

• red or dark brown urine, or red or black stools
• vomiting blood or coughing up blood
• a sudden severe headache, confusion, slurred speech or weakness (possible bleeding in the brain)
• a fall or a knock to the head
• numbness, tingling or weakness in the legs, or loss of bladder or bowel control, after a spinal injection or epidural
• swelling of the face or throat, or difficulty breathing

Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking it if you:

• are bleeding heavily, or have a stomach or bowel ulcer
• have recently had bleeding in the brain
• have an artificial heart valve
• have antiphospholipid syndrome
• have liver or kidney disease or a bleeding disorder
• are due to have surgery, dental work or a spinal injection
• take other blood thinners, aspirin or ibuprofen-type painkillers, some antidepressants (SSRIs), antifungals, HIV medicines or St John's wort

Keep in the original container at room temperature, away from light, heat and moisture (not in the bathroom), and out of the reach of children.

Bleeding: apixaban increases the risk of bleeding, which can be serious. Do not take aspirin or ibuprofen-type painkillers unless your doctor says so.

Do not stop suddenly: stopping without advice increases the risk of stroke.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: it is not used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding.