Apixaban

Apixaban

Apixaban is a medicine used to help prevent blood clots. You might have it after surgery or to treat a condition. It’s only available with a prescription.  Apixaban should not affect your ability to drive, ride a bike or use machinery. You can eat and drink (including alcohol) as normal while taking apixaban.

What apixaban is for

Apixaban is a medicine called an anticoagulant.  It helps to prevent blood clots forming.  Some people call these ‘blood thinners’.

It’s used to treat or prevent conditions such as:

• a blood clot in a vein (usually in the leg) called deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
• a blood clot in your lungs called a pulmonary embolism

It’s also used to prevent:

• blood clots and stroke in people with a heart rhythm problem called atrial fibrillation
• blood clots forming in people who’ve had knee replacement or hip replacement surgery
• blood clots forming in patients whose leg is in a plaster cast or splint or boot

How to take apixaban

Apixaban comes as tablets you swallow.  How much to take and for how long depends on why you’re taking it. It’s usually taken twice a day.  It often (but not always) prescribed as 10 mg twice a day for 7 days and after 7 days the dose is reduced to 5mgs twice a day.

When taking apixaban:

Try to take it at the same time each day – if you take it twice a day, this could be once in the morning and once in the evening.  You can take it with or without food.  If you have problems swallowing tablets, you can crush the tablets and mix them with water, apple juice or apple purée. Follow the instructions that come with your medicine on how to do this.  Avoid grapefruit juice whilst on Apixiban treatment.

If you miss a dose of apixaban

If you forget to take a dose of apixaban, take it as soon as you remember.  Take your next dose at the usual time and then continue as normal.

If you take too much apixaban

Taking an extra dose of apixaban can be dangerous – seek advice from NHS 111

Side effects of apixaban

Like all medicines, apixaban can cause side effects, but not everyone gets them.   One of the most common side effects of taking apixaban is bleeding more than usual.  This might include bleeding for longer than usual if you cut yourself, nosebleed, bleeding from your gums when you brush your teeth, bruises that come up more easily and take longer to fade than usual, periods that are heavier and last longer than usual.  Other side effects could include: anaemia, feeling sick (nausea) and a rash.

Serious side effects

Apixaban can sometimes cause serious side effects, but most of them are rare.  A more common serious side effect is heavy bleeding or internal bleeding. This might include:

• blood in your pee or poo
• blood in your vomit or coughing up blood
• bleeding in the brain – you might have a sudden bad headache with confusion, sensitivity to light, slurred speech, difficulty moving your arms or legs, or feeling or being sick
• bleeding from the surgical wound after you’ve had surgery

Other serious side effects may include:

• an allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) – causing symptoms such as a swollen throat or tongue, a raised, itchy rash or difficulty breathing
• low blood pressure (hypotension) – causing symptoms such as feeling lightheaded, dizzy, tired or faint, or having a faster heartbeat than usual

Call NHS 111 if:

You’re taking apixaban and:

• you have symptoms of bleeding
• you’ve had a head injury
• having any other serious side effects listed above

Important

You’ll be given an anticoagulant alert card because apixaban may put you at risk of bleeding.  Always carry this with you.  Show it to your doctor or dentist before you have any medical or dental procedures.

Who can and cannot take apixaban

Most adults can take apixaban. Apixaban is not suitable for some people, for example: if you have had an allergy to a similar type of drug or you have injuries that might bleed a lot or you have illnesses which increase your risk of serious bleeding e.g. stomach ulcers or you’ve recently had a bleed on the brain, kidney or liver disease or you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant or breastfeeding.

Taking apixaban with other medicines, food and drink

There are some medicines, remedies and supplements that may not mix well with apixaban.  For example, other medicines that prevent blood clots (anticoagulants), medicines which treat fungal infections, some antidepressants, anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), the herbal remedy St John’s Wort, some HIV medications.

Help and Advice

Speak to a pharmacist or doctor if you have any side effects that bother you or do not go away.  Also seek advice before starting new medicines, herbal remedies, vitamins or supplements.  Keep taking your medicine unless you’re advised to stop.

If you need further advice, please contact the Emergency Department – details below

Patient Experience

We know that being admitted to hospital can be a difficult and unsettling time for you and your loved ones. If you have any questions or concerns, please do speak with a member of staff on the ward or in the relevant department who will do their best to answer your questions and reassure you. 

Feedback

Feedback is really important and useful to us – it can tell us where we are working well and where improvements can be made. There are lots of ways you can share your experience with us including completing our Friends and Family Test – cards are available and can be posted on all wards, departments and clinics at our hospitals. We value your comments and feedback and thank you for taking the time to share this with us.

Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)

If you have any concerns or questions about your care, we advise you to talk with the nurse in charge or the department manager in the first instance as they are best placed to answer any questions or resolve concerns quickly. If the relevant member of staff is unable to help resolve your concern, you can contact the PALS Team. We offer informal help, advice or support about any aspect of hospital services & experiences.

Our PALS team will liaise with the various departments in our hospitals on your behalf, if you feel unable to do so, to resolve your problems and where appropriate refer to outside help.

If you are still unhappy you can contact the Complaints Department, who can investigate your concerns. You can make a complaint orally, electronically or in writing and we can advise and guide you through the complaints procedure.

How to contact PALS:

Telephone Patient Services: 0300 123 1732 or via email at: [email protected]

Opening times:

The PALS telephone lines are open Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 4.00pm. Please be aware that you may need to leave a voicemail message, but we aim to return your call within one working day.If you are unable to understand this leaflet, please communicate with a member of staff.

For additional medical advice, if your symptoms or condition worsens:

Contact your GP

NHS 111:                                                                               Telephone 111

Get help with your symptoms, NHS111:                          https://111.nhs.uk/ 

Information to help you manage your health:                 www.nhs.uk

In an emergency telephone 999