Who is Eliquis Beneficial to?
Apixaban is an anticoagulant medication used to prevent the formation of blood clots. The brand-name version is known as Eliquis. Both Eliquis and its generic version apixaban can be purchased from online pharmacies. Eliquis is among the most frequently recommended blood thinners available in the U.S. But who is it beneficial to?
Eliquis may be prescribed to decrease the chance of blood clots developing in patients with atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation is characterized by an abnormal electrical activity within the upper chambers of the heart (the atria) that cause blood to move into and out of these chambers without a proper order, increasing the likelihood of the formation of clots. These clots may become loose and travel from the heart into blood vessels that supply other areas of the body, including the brain, which can lead to stroke. People with atrial fibrillation are at an greater chance in developing blood clots, or experiencing a stroke, so the use of a blood thinner, such as Eliquis is usually required to prevent the life-threatening complications.
Patients of knee replacement or hips also have a higher chance in developing blood clots. This is because the procedure for knee or hip replacement is inherently invasive, and could trigger your body’s clotting process to seal up wounds at the surgical site. Eliquis is a great option for post-surgery patients particularly those who have previous blood clots.
Find out more on the Eliquis patient assistance program here.
What Conditions does Apixaban Treat?
Eliquis (apixaban) is also approved in the U.S. to treat deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and the pulmonary embolism (PE). Apixaban was also approved by the FDA to stop blood clots of these kinds from becoming a second time.
DVT is a serious form of blood clot that typically is found within the lower leg. DVT can be caused by high cholesterol, the damage to blood vessels caused by surgical procedures, and prolonged time periods without activity. If you have been diagnosed with DVT, Eliquis can prevent the clot from traveling to the lungs. However, DVT usually is not discovered until swelling of a serious degree is present or a clot occurs within the lungs.
A pulmonary embolism is commonly caused by DVT in the leg that is able to travel to the lung. The clot could also develop directly in the lungs as a result of atrial fibrillation. A lung blockage can be fatal, however Eliquis is a treatment for PE that works through reducing the body’s ability to form blood clots.
How Does Eliquis (apixaban) function?
So, how do anticoagulants work? Your ability to clot blood is essential to stopping bleeding that is excessive in the event of a cut or scrape. But if the blood clots occur in the wrong spots, your life could be at risk. The body utilizes an enzyme known as factor Xa, which helps clot blood. Eliquis works by blocking this enzyme. When factor Xa is inhibited, the body is less likely to form the clots that can cause strokes, and reduce your risk of suffering a stroke due to a clot.
Do the benefits of Eliquis Overshadow the Risks?
As with all blood thinners using Eliquis may increase the risk of bleeding excessively. When the substances required to create clots are not present even a minor paper cut could cause blood to flow out of control. Eliquis can also trigger side consequences that can cause dizziness, bloody urine or stools and bleeding from the mouth. Even if you’re careful, you may find that using Eliquis can cause you to suffer from bruising easily, which can increase the chance for internal bleeding.
Compared to other blood thinners Eliquis is less likely to cause an excessive bleeding event. Still, it is important to consider the interactions between blood thinners and medications that can lead to adverse outcomes. With these risks in mind, it is important to weigh the advantages against the potential risks with your physician to assess whether Eliquis or apixaban is the right choice for you.
Eliquis does not need to be monitored as often in the same way as blood thinners. It’s extremely effective at preventing blood clots and may be a crucial factor in patients who are healing of DVT and PE. It can also dramatically reduce the chance of blood clots for those who are prone to risk factors, including an ancestor with a background of bleeding.
Maximizing the effectiveness of Eliquis
The use of Eliquis right can help reduce the risk of having side effects and increase its effectiveness. Eliquis is available in tablet format which can be taken either with or without meals. If you are in a treatment regimen with Eliquis it is essential not to stop abruptly and without your doctor’s permission, or sudden blood clots can occur.
There are a variety of ways to boost your overall health when using Eliquis. For example, leading an active lifestyle and eating a balanced diet can go a long way in reducing the risk factors for blood clots.