- Class
- Anticoagulants
- Body system
- Blood and clotting
- Brand names
- Eliquis
- Antidote or reversal
- Andexanet alfa where available; prothrombin complex concentrate is often used for life-threatening bleeding.
What is Apixaban used for?
- Stroke prevention in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation
- Treatment and prevention of DVT and pulmonary embolism
- DVT prevention after hip or knee replacement
How Apixaban works
Direct oral anticoagulant: directly inhibits factor Xa.
Common side effects
- Bleeding
- Bruising
- Nausea
Report right away
- Any unusual or prolonged bleeding
- Black stools or blood in urine
- Back pain or leg numbness after spinal procedures
Nursing considerations for Apixaban
- No routine INR monitoring; check hemoglobin, kidney and liver function.
- Not used for mechanical heart valves.
- Hold before procedures as ordered.
Patient teaching
- Take every dose on schedule: missed doses raise the risk of stroke and clots.
- Do not stop without talking to your prescriber.
- Avoid NSAIDs and aspirin unless prescribed.
This card does not list doses. Use the prescriber's order, the product label and a current drug reference for dosing, and follow your facility's policies.
Anticoagulants practice questions
NCLEX-style questions on the class Apixaban belongs to.
3 questions. Choose an answer to see the rationale.
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Which lab value is used to monitor warfarin therapy?
Show answer
Answer C: INR Warfarin is monitored with the PT/INR; the usual target is 2 to 3.
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A patient on a heparin infusion has a platelet count that dropped by more than 50% from baseline. What does the nurse suspect?
Show answer
Answer D: Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia A large platelet drop, typically 5 to 10 days after starting heparin, suggests heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, which paradoxically causes clotting.
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Which antidote should be available for a patient receiving a heparin infusion?
Show answer
Answer C: Protamine sulfate Protamine sulfate neutralizes heparin. Vitamin K reverses warfarin.
Frequently asked questions
What is Apixaban used for?
Stroke prevention in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation; Treatment and prevention of DVT and pulmonary embolism; DVT prevention after hip or knee replacement.
What drug class is Apixaban?
Apixaban belongs to the class anticoagulants. Direct oral anticoagulant: directly inhibits factor Xa.
What are the nursing considerations for Apixaban?
No routine INR monitoring; check hemoglobin, kidney and liver function. Not used for mechanical heart valves.
What should patients report while taking Apixaban?
any unusual or prolonged bleeding; black stools or blood in urine; back pain or leg numbness after spinal procedures.
What is the antidote for Apixaban?
Andexanet alfa where available; prothrombin complex concentrate is often used for life-threatening bleeding.