{"id":634502,"date":"2025-12-03T09:17:12","date_gmt":"2025-12-03T14:17:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=634502"},"modified":"2026-02-02T16:37:01","modified_gmt":"2026-02-02T21:37:01","slug":"eliquis-blood-clots","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/eliquis-blood-clots\/","title":{"rendered":"How long does it take Eliquis to dissolve a blood clot?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Eliquis<\/span><\/a> (apixaban) is a prescription anticoagulant, or blood thinner. Its primary uses are preventing and treating blood clots that result from a deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), and atrial fibrillation. Eliquis works by blocking Factor Xa, a protein that helps clot formation. By blocking this protein, Eliquis helps prevent new blood clots from forming in your body.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you are taking Eliquis for blood clots, you might want to know: How long does it take Eliquis to dissolve a blood clot? While Eliquis doesn\u2019t directly dissolve blood clots, it prevents them from getting larger and from new clots forming while your body breaks down your blood clot over time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How long does it take Eliquis to dissolve a blood clot?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Your blood naturally clots any time you cut or injure yourself, but when<\/span> blood clots<\/span><\/a> form deep inside your body, they can break off and travel to other parts of your body. This can pose significant risks, including pulmonary embolisms, strokes, and heart attacks.<\/span><\/p>\n

That\u2019s why it\u2019s so important to treat clots that form in your veins. Blood thinners (<\/span>anticoagulants<\/span><\/a>) like Eliquis are one of the main ways that blood clots are treated. \u201cEliquis does not dissolve existing clots, but it prevents the formation of new clots and prevents existing clots from growing,\u201d explains<\/span> Dr. Gail Clifford, MD<\/span><\/a>, internal medicine hospitalist and founder of <\/span>ABLE Physicians<\/span><\/a>. \u201cThe body will naturally break down existing clots over time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

In other words, while Eliquis doesn\u2019t directly dissolve blood clots, it aids in the process.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEliquis helps to prevent the blood from clotting as quickly, thus allowing your body to break down the blood clots that are already there,\u201d says<\/span> Dr. Joyce Oen-Hsiao, MD<\/span><\/a>, an associate professor of cardiovascular medicine at Yale School of Medicine.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to Dr. Oen-Hsiao, once you are taking Eliquis and your body starts breaking down the blood clot, it can take several weeks or as long as several months for the blood clot to resolve. But, on average, it takes several days for blood clots to start to resolve. \u201cIt usually takes two to five days for blood clots to improve,\u201d explains Dr. Mohamed Dahodwala, MD, a cardiologist at <\/span>Saint Anthony Hospital<\/span><\/a> in Chicago.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Still, some of the work that Eliquis does to support the resolution of your blood clot, including preventing further clots from forming, occurs right away. \u201cEliquis reduces the blood clotting within a few hours after the first dose,\u201d Dr. Oen-Hsiao says. \u201cPeak concentration of Eliquis is within three to four hours after the medication is taken.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t
\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
\n\t\t\t
\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
\n\t\t\t\"Harris\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\t<\/div>\n\t\t\tSee Eliquis prices at all pharmacies<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n

What factors affect how long it takes for a clot to dissolve?<\/span><\/h2>\n

The amount of time it takes a blood clot to resolve and how long you need to stay on Eliquis depends on several key factors. Here\u2019s what to know.<\/span><\/p>\n

Location and size of the clot<\/span><\/h3>\n

The<\/span> location of your blood clot<\/span><\/a> makes a difference in terms of how quickly it resolves. For example, superficial or distal clots (located below the knee) typically resolve within a few weeks. However, proximal clots (above the knee) or clots from pulmonary embolisms can take three months or more of treatment to resolve. The size of your blood clot also has an impact. \u201cLarger clots will take longer to break down,\u201d Dr. Oen-Hsiao notes.<\/span><\/p>\n

What caused the clot<\/span><\/h3>\n

What caused your clot in the first place also<\/span> impacts how long<\/span><\/a> it takes for the clot to resolve. \u201cIf the clot was provoked following surgery or other trauma, treatment usually lasts for three to six months,\u201d Dr. Cliffords says. \u201cIf the clotting was unprovoked or is a chronic concern, such as in those with atrial fibrillation or active cancer, Eliquis can be taken long-term or indefinitely.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Other factors<\/span><\/h3>\n

There are a handful of other factors that impact how quickly your clot resolves. According to Dr. Clifford, some of these other factors include:<\/span><\/p>\n