Pfizer Eliquis

Description

Active Ingredient: The mentioned medicine contains the main active ingredient Apixaban. This active component is an oral anticoagulant and direct inhibitor of factor Xa. This factor used to decrease the risk of venous thromboses, systemic embolization, and stroke in people with atrial fibrillation. It is also used to prevent and treat thromboembolic diseases. It plays the role of an anticoagulant.

Indications: This medicine is indicated for the treatment of reduction of risk of stroke and systemic embolism in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis, which may lead to pulmonary embolism, in people who have undergone hip or knee replacement surgery, and pulmonary embolism.

It is also useful to prevent serious blood clots from forming due to a certain irregular heartbeat or after hip/knee replacement surgery.  It is also approved to treat certain types of blood clots such as deep vein thrombosis-DVT, pulmonary embolus-PE and to prevent them from forming again.

Action Mechanism: This medicine is composed of Apixaban, which belongs to a class of drugs called anticoagulants. It works by blocking certain clotting proteins in the blood. It acts as the blood thinner and helps to prevent blood clots from forming in the body.

It specifically blocks the substance factor Xa, which in turn reduces the amount of the enzyme thrombin in the blood. This substance thrombin causes platelets in the blood to stick to one another, causing clots to form. Decreased level in thrombin prevents a clot from forming in the body.

Dosages: The mentioned medicine is approved to treat DVT or PE. Dosages of this pill are as follows:

• 2.5 mg: It should be taken with or without food as advised by the doctor, usually twice daily
• 5 mg: It is to be taken every 12 hours with or without food as mentioned in the prescription by the doctor

Note: If trouble while swallowing the tablet whole, it can be crushed and mix with water, apple juice, or applesauce. It should be administered immediately.