Eliquis dosage, forms, and strengths
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Key takeaways
The standard Eliquis dosing for atrial fibrillation (AF) is 5 mg twice daily.
The standard Eliquis dosing for deep venous thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE) treatment or prevention is 2.5-10 mg twice daily.
The max dose of Eliquis is 10 mg per day.
Eliquis is taken in tablet form.
Eliquis is taken twice daily as directed by a healthcare provider.
Do not take Eliquis if you are experiencing uncontrolled bleeding or are allergic to apixaban.
Eliquis (apixaban) is a direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) prescribed primarily to reduce the risk of stroke and blood clots in adults with atrial fibrillation (AF) not associated with heart valves. Doctors also use it to treat and prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) in adults as well as venous thromboembolism (VTE) in newborns, babies, and children. Eliquis doses are taken orally twice daily with or without food.
Eliquis dosage chart for adults |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Indication | Starting dosage | Standard dosage | Maximum dosage |
| Non-valvular atrial fibrillation | 5 mg tablet twice daily | 5 mg tablet twice daily | 5 mg tablet twice daily |
| DVT prophylaxis after hip or knee replacement surgery | 2.5 mg tablet twice daily | 2.5 mg tablet twice daily | 2.5 mg tablet twice daily |
| DVT and PE prophylaxis due to recurrences | 2.5 mg tablet twice daily | 2.5 mg tablet twice daily | 2.5 mg tablet twice daily |
| Acute DVT or PE treatment | 2, 5 mg tablets (10 mg dose) twice daily for 7 days | 5 mg tablet twice daily after the first 7 days | 5 mg tablet twice daily after the first 7 days |
The dosages listed are general guidelines; your healthcare provider may adjust your dose based on individual health factors.
Eliquis dosage for children
Eliquis is FDA-approved to treat or prevent venous thromboembolism (VTE) in children as young as newborns. Healthcare professionals use other dosage forms to treat children: 0.15 mg capsules for oral suspension to newborns and 0.5 mg tablets for oral suspension to babies and young children. Older children weighing more than 77 pounds use adult Eliquis tablets.
Eliquis dosage chart for children for VTE |
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|---|---|---|
| Weight | Standard oral dose | Maximum dose |
| 2.6–3.9 kg | 0.3 mg taken by mouth twice daily for 7 days, then 0.15 mg taken by mouth twice daily | 0.15 mg twice daily after the first 7 days |
| 4–5.9 kg | 1 mg taken by mouth twice daily for 7 days, then 0.5 mg taken by mouth twice daily | 0.5 mg twice daily after the first 7 days |
| 6–8.9 kg | 2 mg taken by mouth twice daily for 7 days, then 1 mg taken by mouth twice daily | 1 mg twice daily after the first 7 days |
| 9–11.9 kg | 3 mg taken by mouth twice daily for 7 days, then 1.5 mg taken by mouth twice daily | 1.5 mg twice daily after the first 7 days |
| 12–17.9 kg | 4 mg taken by mouth twice daily for 7 days, then 2 mg taken by mouth twice daily | 2 mg twice daily after the first 7 days |
| 18–24.9 kg | 6 mg taken by mouth twice daily for 7 days, then 3 mg taken by mouth twice daily | 3 mg twice daily after the first 7 days |
| 25–34.9 kg | 8 mg taken by mouth twice daily for 7 days, then 4 mg taken by mouth twice daily | 4 mg twice daily after the first 7 days |
| 35 kg or heavier | 2, 5 mg tablets (10 mg dose) taken twice daily for 7 days, then 1, 5 mg tablet taken twice daily | 5 mg tablet twice daily after the first 7 days |
Personalized dosing considerations
A lower dose of Eliquis may be needed based on kidney (renal) function, age, and body weight, specific to the indications. Studies have defined reduced dosage options in the setting of AF with certain patient factors, but not for other clot prevention uses. Dosage adjustments are typically not made in the acute treatment of DVT or PE.
Eliquis adjusted dosing in AF: Dose reduced to 2.5 mg twice daily if two or more factors are present: Age ≥ 80 years, weight ≤ 60 kg, or serum creatinine ≥ 1.5 mg/dL:
Severe hepatic impairment: Eliquis is contraindicated.
RELATED: What are the side effects of Eliquis in the elderly
Eliquis safety info
Eliquis is a potentially hazardous drug. Unusual or prolonged bleeding is its most frequent and potentially most serious side effect. People with active uncontrolled bleeding cannot safely take Eliquis. Because of the increased risk of bleeding, doctors may discontinue the drug before surgery, epidural anesthesia, spinal puncture, or during any prolonged bleeding episode. Eliquis is also contraindicated in anyone who’s had a severe hypersensitivity reaction to the drug.
Talk to the prescriber if you have bleeding problems like nosebleeds, blood in your stool, or vomiting up blood clots (“coffee grounds” vomit).
Eliquis is not recommended in people with triple positive antiphospholipid syndrome, a condition that increases the risk of blood clots.
Do not stop taking Eliquis without talking to your healthcare provider. Stopping this medication too soon may lead to serious blood clots.
Eliquis is not recommended for use in people who have artificial heart valves.
Women who are breastfeeding should avoid Eliquis or stop nursing. Eliquis is not used during pregnancy.
RELATED: Eliquis side effects and how to avoid them
How to take Eliquis
Taking Eliquis correctly is extremely important. Do not miss doses or take extra doses.
To give doses to babies and young children, use the powder in the capsule or the 0.5 mg tablet for oral suspension. For newborns, open the capsule and dissolve the powder in water or infant formula (for newborns). Dissolve the tablet in water, infant formula, juice, or applesauce for older babies and young children. Serve the mixture within two hours.
Children weighing more than 77 pounds take 5 mg and 2.5 mg tablets.
If an adult or child is not able to swallow tablets whole, the tablets may be crushed and mixed in water, 5% dextrose in water (D5W), apple juice, or applesauce. The crushed tablets may also be mixed with 60 mL of water or D5W and administered through a nasogastric tube (NGT).
Unlike blood thinners like heparin or warfarin (Coumadin), people taking Eliquis or similar drugs
do not need regular blood tests to monitor therapy.
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature.
Eliquis starter pack dosing
People treated for DVT or PE will use an Eliquis Starter Pack for the first month. It contains seven days of four tablets daily (10 mg twice daily) followed by 21 days of two daily tablets (5 mg twice daily). Tablets are arranged by week, day, and time of day (morning, evening). Take the tablets in order from Day 1 to Day 28.
RELATED: What is Eliquis DVT/PE Starter Pack
Eliquis dosage FAQs
What is Eliquis 5 mg used for?
Eliquis 5 mg tablets are used to treat active deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), and atrial fibrillation in adults. They are also used to treat venous thromboembolism in children weighing more than 35 kg (77 lbs.).
How long does it take Eliquis to work?
Eliquis achieves its full effects about three to four hours after a dose is taken.
How long does Eliquis stay in your system?
Eliquis has a half-life of eight to 12 hours and is mostly cleared within two to three days. The blood-thinning effect of Eliquis lasts 24 hours.
What happens if I miss a dose of Eliquis?
Take the missed dose immediately unless it's close to your next dose. Do not double doses.
What happens if you accidentally take a double dose of Eliquis?
Call the prescriber or get medical help if you take a double dose of Eliquis.
Can you overdose on Eliquis?
Yes. Overdose symptoms include severe bleeding. Seek immediate medical attention.
RELATED: How to reverse Eliquis
What interacts with Eliquis?
Eliquis interacts with drugs that affect its metabolism or prevent blood clotting, including: blood thinners (e.g., warfarin), antiplatelet agents, aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), and CYP3A4 inhibitors/inducers (e.g., carbamazepine, ketoconazole, phenytoin, rifampin, ritonavir). Most vitamins and supplements are unlikely to interact with Eliquis, but St. John's wort should be avoided. Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may also increase the level of Eliquis in the blood. Other Eliquis drug interactions can occur, including over-the-counter drugs.
Tell your doctor about all medications you take, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbal remedies, and supplements.
How do I stop taking Eliquis?
People take Eliquis for anywhere from two weeks to the rest of their lives. During this time, do not stop taking doses. Get medical advice from the prescriber first. Stopping Eliquis too early increases the risk of blood clots.
Sources
Eliquis apixaban tablet prescribing information
, DailyMed (NIH National Library of Medicine)Eliquis dosing guide
, Eliquis.comFactor Xa inhibitor
, Cleveland Clinic
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