Generic Eliquis (apixaban) is advised for the prevention of serious blood clots from forming due to atrial fibrillation or after major surgeries such as hip/knee replacement.
Blood clots can travel to other parts of your body, such as the lungs or legs, or increase your risk for stroke or heart attack.
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved apixaban for the treatment of certain types of blood clots, such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolus. It is also used for the prevention of the formation of blood clots.
Apixaban is an anticoagulant drug that works by blocking certain clotting proteins in your blood, according to WebMD.
Availability and Price
Eliquis is a brand name of apixaban, which is manufactured by Bristol-Myers Squibb. The FDA approved the drug in December 2012. Recently, the FDA has approved a generic version of Eliquis; however, this does not mean that it will necessarily be commercially available, possibly due to drug patents, according to Drugs.com.
Manufacturers such as Accord Healthcare Ltd. and Indoco Remedies have been developing Generic Eliquis. The lowest price for the most common version of Generic Eliquis 5 mg is around $493.19 for tablets, 16% off the average retail price of $589.01, according to GoodRx.
Side Effects
Some of the common side effects of Generic Eliquis include nausea, easy bruising, or minor bleeding. If any of these side effects persist or worsen, immediately see your doctor. Apixaban can cause serious bleeding if it affects your blood clotting proteins too much, according to WebMD.
Get immediate medical attention if you have any signs of serious bleeding such as unusual pain/swelling, unusual bruising, prolonged bleeding, nosebleeds, heavy/prolonged menstrual flow, or coughing up blood.
Precautions
Before taking Generic Eliquis, tell your doctor if you are allergic to apixaban and tell your doctor your medical history, especially if you have liver or kidney disease, bleeding problems, blood disorders, recent major injury or surgery, stroke, or any other medical condition.
As said earlier, apixaban may cause stomach bleeding so avoid alcohol while using this medicine, as it may increase your risk for stomach bleeding. Also, take great precautions when it comes to using razors and nail cutters to lower your risk of getting cut, bruised, or injured. During pregnancy, Generic Eliquis should be used only when clearly indicated.
