What Are the Side Effects of Eliquis, and How Do You Manage Them?
Eliquis (apixaban) is a prescription drug used to treat or prevent blood clots in specific situations. It may cause mild to serious side effects like any other medicine. The medication treats or contains certain types of blood clots in adults. Among the types of blood clots treated by the drug are deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolisms.
Additionally, it prevents strokes and blood clots in people with certain kinds of atrial fibrillation. It is available as a tablet that you swallow. Your doctor may refer you to Eliquis 2.5 mg tablet as a blood thinner. In this blog, we will discuss some common, mild, and serious side effects that Eliquis can cause and what you can do to manage them.
What Are the Common Side Effects of Eliquis?
Several side effects can occur with Eliquis, some more common than others. The side effects may last a few days to a few weeks. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if the side effects persist, bother you, or become severe.
Here are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people taking Eliquis:
- Bruising
- Nausea
- Anemia (low red blood cell count)
- Minor bleeding, such as nosebleeds
What Are the Mild Side Effects of Eliquis?
The following are examples of mild side effects associated with Eliquis:
- Nausea
- Bleeding
- Anemia
- Thrombocytopenia (low levels of platelets)
- Nosebleeds
- Bruising
- Mild allergic reaction
These will likely be temporary in most cases. It may also be possible to manage some of them easily. You should consult your doctor or pharmacist if any symptoms persist or bother you. Be sure not to stop taking the drug without your doctor’s advice. There are mild side effects associated with the drug in addition to those listed above.
[Note: The agency tracks its side effects as soon as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug. The FDA can be notified of side effects caused by Eliquis 5mg tablets].
What Are the Serious Side Effects of Eliquis?
It is common for people taking Eliquis to experience mild side effects. However, this medication can also cause serious side effects. Eliquis has been associated with serious side effects, such as:
- Heavy bleeding
- Eliquis treatment can cause blood clots if stopped early
- Risk of spinal blood clots from specific spinal procedures
- Serious allergic reaction
Contact your doctor immediately if you undergo serious side effects while on Eliquis 5mg tablets. You should contact 911 or your local emergency number if you experience life-threatening side effects.
How Can You Manage the Side Effects of Eliquis?
Here are some of the adverse effects Eliquis generally causes and what you can do to manage them:
1. Risk of Blood Clots If Stopping Eliquis Treatment Early
The boxed warning on Eliquis warns that stopping Eliquis early may result in blood clots. As a blood clot preventer or a blood clot treatment, the drug works to prevent or treat blood clots. It may increase your risk of blood clots if you stop taking it before it’s recommended.
What Can You Do?
You should not stop taking Eliquis without first consulting your doctor. Your doctor may recommend taking a different blood thinner if you need to stop taking the drug. Blood clots can be prevented by doing this. Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about this side effect.
2. Risk of Spinal Blood Clots from Specific Spinal Procedures
Specific spinal procedures are associated with a boxed warning for Eliquis. You may be more likely to develop blood clots in your spine if you have certain spinal procedures while on Eliquis. You may experience the following symptoms if you have a blood clot in your spine:
- Numbness or weakness in your legs
- Tingling
- Bladder or bowel problems
What Can You Do?
Tell your doctor that you’re taking Eliquis before undergoing any spinal procedures. Your doctor may suggest scheduling your procedure when you have the least Eliquis in your system. You can reduce your risk of spinal blood clots by doing this. After a spinal procedure, your doctor will monitor you for symptoms of blood clots.
Immediately contact your doctor or go to the hospital if you experience any of these symptoms. During Eliquis treatment, talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are concerned about spinal blood clots.
3. Risk of Minor Bleeding Nosebleeds
Eliquis reduces your blood’s ability to form clots. Additionally, it can sometimes cause thrombocytopenia (low platelet count). Your blood usually clots because of platelets. Both of these effects of the drug can increase your bleeding risk. Minor bleeding is the most common side effect reported with it. Minor bleeding may include:
- Bleeding that takes longer to stop than usual
- Nosebleeds occasionally
- Gums bleeding
- Blood in the rectal cavity
- Blood under the skin causes bruising
- Heavy or prolonged menstrual periods
What Can You Do?
If you have bleeding problems or take other medications, tell your doctor before taking Eliquis. Take the drug with caution if you have a history of cuts, injuries, or bleeding. Consider the following, for example:
- Avoiding contact sports and other risky sports
- Knives and scissors should be handled with gloves
- Avoiding wet shaving with a razor
- Brushing with a soft toothbrush
For 10 minutes, apply a clean cloth or dressing to your cut while taking the drug to help stop the bleeding. To prevent a nosebleed, pinch your nose tightly for 10 minutes. While doing so, tilt your head forward and breathe through your mouth. Minor bleeding can also be stopped by applying an ice pack. Call your doctor if you experience severe bleeding or bleeding that won’t stop.
4. Risk of Severe Bleeding
Eliquis’s ability to reduce the formation of clots in your blood may increase bleeding risks. Although most bleeding is minor, sometimes it can be serious or even life-threatening. You may have internal bleeding in your digestive system, brain, lungs, kidneys, liver, abdominal cavity, eyes, or joints. Blood may clot in the surrounding tissues from a damaged blood vessel. As a result, swelling occurs in the form of hematomas.
Severe bleeding may cause the following symptoms:
- Severe or persistent bleeding
- Stools that are red, black, or tar-like
- Urine that is red, pink, or brown
- Blood in the cough
- Vomiting blood or a substance similar to coffee grounds
- Headache that suddenly becomes severe
- Unusual joint pain
- Swelling that is unusual
- You may experience dizziness or fatigue due to blood loss.
What Can You Do?
Call your doctor right away if you experience symptoms of severe bleeding. Call 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms seem life-threatening. Eliquis may require a blood transfusion or medication to reverse its effects. If you fall and hit your head or suffer any other type of head injury, contact your doctor right away. Eliquis 5mg tablets can cause bleeding inside the skull or in the brain if you suffer a head injury.
5. Risk of Severe Allergic Reaction
Some people can develop an allergic reaction to Eliquis, as is the case with most drugs. The following symptoms can range from mild to severe:
- Skin rash
- Itchiness
- Flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
- Swelling beneath your skin, usually on your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
- Swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat, which can make it difficult to breathe
What Can You Do?
Contact your physician immediately for mild allergic symptoms, like a mild rash. You may be prescribed a treatment to manage the symptoms of allergy. Here are some examples:
- Benadryl (diphenhydramine), an antihistamine taken by mouth
- A cream that you use on your skin, such as hydrocortisone
It is up to your doctor to decide if you should continue taking Eliquis if you have experienced a mild allergic reaction. In the event of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately. It is important to seek medical attention immediately if you experience these symptoms. Your doctor may switch you to a different treatment if they confirm you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Eliquis.
Can Stopping Eliquis Treatment Cause Side Effects?
The sudden stoppage of Eliquis should not result in withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms occur when your body stops taking a medication it has become accustomed to. But halting the treatment suddenly can put you at risk for blood clots. Blood clots can occur if you stop the drug too soon, as it contains a boxed warning.
Eliquis shouldn’t be stopped suddenly without consulting your doctor. They will be able to advise when you should stop taking the medication. Your doctor may recommend a different medication if you need to stop taking it suddenly. In addition, you can buy Eliquis online at the best Canadian online pharmacy, Polar Bear Meds, for authentic and affordable meds.
In Closing
While Eliquis is an effective medication for managing blood clotting disorders, it can lead to both mild and serious side effects. Common side effects include bruising, nausea, and minor bleeding, while serious side effects may include severe bleeding, spinal blood clots, and allergic reactions. Communicating any concerns with your doctor and adhering to their guidance regarding dosage adjustments or alternative treatments is essential.
Avoid stopping Eliquis abruptly to prevent the risk of blood clots, as indicated by its boxed warning. By staying informed and working closely with your healthcare provider, you can effectively manage potential side effects and continue your treatment regimen safely.