{"id":633912,"date":"2025-10-09T18:03:01","date_gmt":"2025-10-09T22:03:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=633912"},"modified":"2026-01-30T11:46:24","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T16:46:24","slug":"stopping-eliquis-side-effects","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/stopping-eliquis-side-effects\/","title":{"rendered":"How to stop taking Eliquis safely"},"content":{"rendered":"

Eliquis<\/span><\/a> is the <\/span>brand name<\/span> for <\/span>apixaban<\/span>, an <\/span>anticoagulant<\/span> (<\/span>blood thinner<\/span>) that\u2019s <\/span>FDA-approved<\/span> to reduce the <\/span>risk of stroke<\/span> and clots in people with <\/span>atrial fibrillation<\/span> (<\/span>AFib<\/span>). It\u2019s also approved for the prevention of <\/span>deep vein thrombosis<\/span> (<\/span>DVT<\/span>) and <\/span>pulmonary embolism<\/span> (PE) in people who\u2019ve had hip or <\/span>knee replacement<\/span> surgery. Additionally, Eliquis is approved to treat <\/span>DVT<\/span> and PE, and to reduce the risk of repeated <\/span>DVT<\/span> and PE after initial therapy. Eliquis is in a class of medications known as <\/span>factor Xa<\/span> inhibitors. <\/span>Eliquis works<\/span> by blocking Factor X, a protein that helps <\/span>blood clots<\/span> form.<\/span><\/p>\n

If your healthcare provider tells you to <\/span>stop taking Eliquis<\/span>, you might have questions about how to <\/span>stop taking Eliquis<\/span> safely and what the <\/span>side effects<\/span> might be. While stopping Eliquis doesn\u2019t have withdrawal-type <\/span>side effects<\/span>, it can increase your <\/span>risk of blood clots<\/span> or strokes, which is why it\u2019s vital only to stop<\/span> taking Eliquis<\/span> under the close supervision of a <\/span>healthcare provider<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\tEliquis 5 mg (28 Tablets)\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t23666 - Hampton, VA\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\"Kroger\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t$155.92\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\ti<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tPrice with signup<\/a>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\tGet free coupon<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t$155.92\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\ti<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tPrice with signup<\/a>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\tGet free coupon<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\tSee Eliquis prices at all pharmacies<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n

Why you might need to <\/span>stop taking Eliquis<\/span><\/h2>\n

Eliquis is an<\/span> anticoagulant<\/span><\/a>, which means that it slows blood clotting. While it can be lifesaving and prevent serious medical issues like strokes and clots for people at risk, there are times when you may need to <\/span>stop taking it<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to<\/span> Joyce Oen-Hsiao, MD<\/span><\/a>, associate professor of medicine at Yale School of Medicine, you might need to <\/span>stop taking Eliquis<\/span> if you experience negative <\/span>side effects<\/span>. For example, you might need to stop Eliquis if \u201cyou have excess bleeding\u2014internally (e.g., through the GI tract) or externally (cuts that won’t stop bleeding or <\/span>nose bleeds<\/span>),\u201d Dr. Oen-Hsaio says. It may be especially important to <\/span>stop taking Eliquis<\/span> if there\u2019s bleeding in your brain, she emphasizes.<\/span><\/p>\n

These are rare instances, though. \u201cThe commonest reason to stop Eliquis is usually a temporary pause for a surgery or elective procedure with <\/span>increased risk of bleeding<\/span>,\u201d says<\/span> Kaustubh Dabhadkar, MD<\/span><\/a>, a preventive cardiologist in Charlotte, North Carolina. This might include <\/span>dental procedures<\/span> or medical surgeries.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some people only need to take Eliquis for a certain amount of time when they are at higher risk of clots, such as after a hip or knee replacement or if they had a clot because of certain risk factors that are now resolved.<\/span><\/p>\n

Other reasons to <\/span>stop taking Eliquis<\/span> include having an allergic reaction. Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals may also need to <\/span>stop taking Eliquis<\/span> or switch to a different medication.<\/span><\/p>\n

Most importantly, don\u2019t <\/span>stop taking Eliquis<\/span> unless a <\/span>healthcare professional<\/span> has specifically instructed you and given you medical advice about how and when to stop.<\/span><\/p>\n

Side effects<\/span> of stopping Eliquis<\/span><\/h2>\n

Unlike certain other medications, stopping Eliquis doesn\u2019t cause withdrawal symptoms. But it\u2019s essential to understand that stopping Eliquis puts you at a <\/span>higher risk<\/span> of conditions that the medication is helping to prevent, such as <\/span>blood clots<\/span> and strokes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cStopping Eliquis usually doesn’t come with major <\/span>side effects<\/span>,\u201d Dr. Oen-Hsiao says. But, she points out, \u201cif you are on Eliquis, usually there is a reason that your doctor wants to have your blood thinned.\u201d Dr. Oen-Hsiao urges patients to discuss alternative <\/span>blood thinners<\/span> with a <\/span>healthcare professional<\/span> if they stop Eliquis.<\/span><\/p>\n

This is in line with<\/span> boxed warnings<\/span><\/a> on the medication label, which note that stopping Eliquis, or any oral <\/span>anticoagulant<\/span>, puts you at a <\/span>higher risk<\/span> of<\/span> a <\/span>thrombotic event<\/span><\/a>, which is when a <\/span>blood clot<\/span> forms in a blood vessel.<\/span> MedlinePlus warns<\/span><\/a> that people who have <\/span>atrial fibrillation<\/span> and take Eliquis to prevent stroke or <\/span>blood clots<\/span> have an <\/span>increased risk<\/span> of having a stroke after they discontinue Eliquis.<\/span><\/p>\n

How long after stopping Eliquis does your blood return to normal?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Usually, it takes about two days for the body\u2019s <\/span>blood clotting<\/span> process to normalize after stopping Eliquis, Dr. Dabhadkar says. However, this process may take longer if you have certain <\/span>medical conditions<\/span>. \u201cIt may take up to three days in patients with kidney disease, elderly patients, or underweight patients,\u201d he says.<\/span><\/p>\n

How to <\/span>stop taking Eliquis<\/span> safely<\/span><\/h2>\n

There is no need to gradually decrease doses when stopping Eliquis, because discontinuation doesn\u2019t result in withdrawal symptoms. \u201cTapering is not necessary,\u201d Dr. Dabhadkar explains. \u201cAfter consultation with a prescribing physician, one can stop Eliquis without any taper or wean-off schedule.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

At times, your provider may decide to decrease your <\/span>dose of Eliquis<\/span> instead of having you stop taking it altogether, according to Mohamed Dahodwala, MD, a cardiologist at<\/span> Saint Anthony Hospital<\/span><\/a> in Chicago. \u201cIn some instances, after a few months, the dose can be lowered for less bleeding risks,\u201d he says. However, any change to your Eliquis routine is made on a case-by-case basis and in consultation with a medical provider.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you need to stop taking Eliquis before surgery, ask your provider for <\/span>medical advice<\/span>. How long before the surgery to <\/span>stop taking Eliquis<\/span> depends on your type of surgery, your medical profile, and your medical history. Usually, Eliquis is stopped between<\/span> two and five days before the surgery<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Considerations for long-term <\/span>blood thinner<\/span> use<\/span><\/h2>\n

Certain people need to take a <\/span>blood thinner<\/span> like Eliquis on a long-term basis. \u201cConditions like <\/span>atrial fibrillation<\/span>, deep venous thrombosis, and <\/span>pulmonary embolism<\/span> may require long-term <\/span>anticoagulation<\/span>,\u201d says Aeshita Dwivedi, MD, cardiologist at Northwell\u2019s<\/span> Lenox Hill Hospital<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Taking <\/span>blood thinners<\/span> long-term has risks. The<\/span> biggest risk is <\/span>serious bleeding<\/span><\/a>, which can cause <\/span>internal bleeding<\/span> that can be <\/span>life-threatening<\/span> at times. However, medical providers don\u2019t prescribe <\/span>blood thinners<\/span> on a long-term basis unless the benefits outweigh the risks.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe benefits outweigh the risks when the risk of clotting is higher than the <\/span>risk of bleeding<\/span>,\u201d Dr. Dabhadkar says. Doctors use different tests and metrics to determine that, including each person’s unique medical history and health needs. \u201cIn case of <\/span>atrial fibrillation<\/span>, we use the CHA2DS2VASC risk score to estimate the risk of clotting and the HAS-BLED score to estimate the <\/span>risk of bleeding<\/span>,\u201d Dr. Dabhadkar explains.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you are taking <\/span>blood thinners<\/span> long-term, you will be in close touch with your healthcare provider. Dr. Dabhadkar underscores the importance of following your healthcare provider\u2019s instructions regarding other medications or <\/span>prescription drugs<\/span> you may be taking alongside <\/span>blood thinners<\/span>. According to Dr. Dabhadkar, <\/span>over-the-counter<\/span> medicines like<\/span> ibuprofen<\/span><\/a> and other <\/span>NSAIDs<\/span> may increase the <\/span>risk of bleeding<\/span>. \u201cSo, it’s important to discuss with your primary care physician regarding even over-the-counter medicines.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Sometimes, Eliquis is not the right medication for a particular patient, and alternative <\/span>blood thinners<\/span> must be considered.<\/span> Eliquis alternatives<\/span><\/a> include:<\/span><\/p>\n