{"id":7939,"date":"2020-01-03T10:25:09","date_gmt":"2020-01-03T15:25:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=7939"},"modified":"2024-02-19T09:50:42","modified_gmt":"2024-02-19T14:50:42","slug":"eliquis-generic-apixaban","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/news\/eliquis-generic-apixaban\/","title":{"rendered":"FDA approves apixaban, first Eliquis generic"},"content":{"rendered":"

Patients who are at high risk for stroke, pulmonary embolism (PE), and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) will someday have a new generic option for blood thinners. On Dec. 23, 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) <\/span>approved<\/span><\/a> two applications for the first generics of <\/span>Eliquis<\/span><\/a> (apixaban) tablets.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What is Eliquis?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Eliquis is a blood thinner that works by blocking a clotting enzyme called Factor Xa. The brand-name drug was <\/span>originally approved by the FDA in 2012<\/span><\/a> to be manufactured by Bristol-Myers Squibb and marketed by Pfizer. At the time, the medication was highly anticipated by cardiologists who were excited by its potential to help patients with certain blood clotting risks. Eliquis was the third novel oral anticoagulant (after Pradaxa and Xarelto) to receive FDA approval. This is the agency\u2019s first approval of an Eliquis generic.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Direct oral anticoagulants like Eliquis have largely replaced a drug called <\/span>Coumadin (warfarin)<\/span><\/a>, an older treatment that requires more careful and frequent monitoring and has many potentially serious drug interactions. Xarelto is another newer and popular alternative to Eliquis. Patients taking Eliquis do not need repeated blood testing, making the treatment more convenient and accessible to many people.<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>Eliquis vs. Xarelto<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

When will generic Eliquis be available?<\/span><\/h2>\n

When the FDA awarded generic approvals for Eliquis (apixaban) in 2019, they went to two drug companies: Micro Labs Limited and Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc. However, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Pfizer fought in court for the right to restore their patents. A <\/span>September 2021 ruling<\/span><\/a> by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit prevented these generic drugmakers from entering the market with generic apixaban for the time being.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

According to the manufacturers of Eliquis<\/span><\/a>, generics will not be able to hit the market any earlier than April 1, 2028 (\u201csubject to additional appeals and challenges\u201d).<\/span><\/p>\n

What does Eliquis treat?<\/span><\/h2>\n

According to the FDA<\/span><\/a>, doctors may prescribe Eliquis to:<\/span><\/p>\n