Eliquis (apixaban) is a brand-name prescription medication. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it to treat or help prevent blood clots in certain adults. Specifically, it’s approved to:

Eliquis is a blood thinner medication. It’s also called an anticoagulant. At this time, Eliquis is only available in the brand-name form. There currently aren’t any generic forms of Eliquis available.

For information about the dosing of Eliquis, keep reading. You can also learn about the drug’s strength and how to take it. For a comprehensive look at Eliquis, see this article.

This article describes typical dosages for Eliquis provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Eliquis, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.

Before you start taking Eliquis, your doctor will recommend the best treatment plan for you. Read below to learn about general recommended dosages for this drug.

Eliquis form

Eliquis comes as an oral tablet. You’ll take it by mouth.

Eliquis strengths

Eliquis is available in the following strengths:

  • 2.5 milligrams (mg)
  • 5 mg

Typical dosages

The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Dosage for preventing blood clots and stroke in people with A-fib

To help prevent stroke or blood clots in people with atrial fibrillation (A-fib), the recommended dosage of Eliquis is 5 mg twice daily.

However, in some cases, doctors may recommend lower dosage. For more information about this, see the “Factors that can affect your dosage” section below.

If you have questions about the Eliquis dosage for people with A-fib, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Dosage for treating DVT and PE

To treat deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE), the recommended starting dosage of Eliquis is 10 mg twice daily. You’ll take this starting dose for 7 days.

You may hear this starting PE or DVT treatment dose referred to as a loading dose. Eliquis dosing for PE or DVT is higher at the start of treatment so the medication can begin working right away.

After the starting dose, you’ll take Eliquis 5 mg twice daily. You’ll continue taking this dosage of Eliquis as recommended by your doctor.

If you have questions about the Eliquis dosage for treating PE or DVT, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Dosage for preventing DVT and PE from recurring

To help prevent DVT and PE from happening again, the recommended dosage of Eliquis is 2.5 mg twice daily.

Your doctor may recommend this dosage after you’ve received treatment for a DVT or PE for at least 6 months.

Dosage for preventing DVT after hip or knee replacement

To help prevent a DVT or PE after a knee or hip replacement, the recommended dosage of Eliquis is 2.5 mg twice daily. Your doctor will recommend starting this dosage within 12 to 24 hours after your surgery.

If you take Eliquis after a hip replacement, you’ll likely take the drug for 35 days. If you take the drug after a knee replacement, you may only need to take Eliquis for 12 days.

Long-term treatment

Depending on your condition, your doctor may recommend that you take Eliquis as a long-term or short-term treatment.

For example, if you take Eliquis after a knee or hip replacement, you may only need to take the drug for 12 days or 35 days, respectively.

However, if you’re taking Eliquis to help prevent stroke or blood clots related to A-Fib, your doctor may recommend that you take it long term.

Before you start treatment with Eliquis, talk with your doctor about how long you’ll likely take this drug.

Before starting Eliquis, talk with your doctor about any questions you have. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug.

What’s the Eliquis dosage for older adults?

For some purposes, the dosage of Eliquis for older adults is the same as it is for younger people. This is the case when Eliquis is used to treat or help prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE), for instance.

However, if Eliquis is used to prevent stroke or blood clots related to atrial fibrillation (A-fib), your doctor may have you take a lower dosage, in certain cases. Specifically, they may recommend a lower dosage of Eliquis if at least two of the following factors affect you:

  • you’re age 80 years or older
  • you weigh 60 kilograms (kg), which is about 132 pounds (lb), or less
  • you have a kidney problem

If you’re an older adult and are concerned about your Eliquis dosage, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help determine the dosage that’s best for you.

Is there recommended renal dosing for Eliquis if I have a kidney problem?

Yes, it’s possible that your doctor may adjust your dosage of Eliquis if you have a kidney problem. Renal dosing refers to a medication dosage being adjusted due to a kidney problem.

If you take Eliquis to help prevent stroke or blood clots related to atrial fibrillation (A-fib) and you have a kidney problem, your doctor may follow renal dosing. In this case, they may recommend a lower dosage of Eliquis than usual.

For more information about renal dosing of Eliquis, see the “Factors that can affect your dosage” section below. If you have any kidney problems, be sure to tell your doctor before taking Eliquis.

What is the dosing of Eliquis starter packs?

Eliquis starter packs are blister packs of medication that can be used for treating deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE). They’re 30-day Eliquis dose packs that doctors may prescribe to help make it easier to take your Eliquis doses.

If you take Eliquis to treat a DVT or PE, your dosage will be the same regardless of whether you use a dose pack or take Eliquis tablets dispensed in a bottle. That said, the starter pack has the dosing schedule clearly marked, which can help ensure that you take the correct dose of Eliquis.

If you’d like to know more about using Eliquis dose packs, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

The Eliquis dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:

  • the condition you’re using Eliquis to manage
  • your age
  • whether you have kidney problems
  • your body weight

Other medical conditions you have can also affect your Eliquis dosage.

Dosage adjustments

In certain cases, your doctor may recommend a lower dose of Eliquis, which may also be called a dose reduction. This may be recommended if you take Eliquis to help prevent stroke or blood clots related to atrial fibrillation (A-fib).

Specifically, your doctor may recommend that you take a lower dosage of Eliquis if at least two of following factors affect you:

  • you’re age 80 years or older
  • you weigh 60 kilograms (kg), which is about 132 pounds (lb), or less
  • you have a kidney problem

In some cases, your doctor may recommend a lower dosage of Eliquis due to kidney problems. This is sometimes referred to as renal dosing. However, a dosage adjustment for kidney problems alone isn’t typically needed.

If you have questions about the dosage of Eliquis that’s right for you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

If you miss a dose of Eliquis, take it as soon as you remember. However, you shouldn’t take more than one dose of Eliquis at once. Never take two doses to try to make up for a missed dose.

If you missed your dose of Eliquis and you’re not sure when to take your next dose, call your doctor or pharmacist. It may best to call your doctor for guidance, especially if you’ve missed two doses of Eliquis.

It’s important to note that missing doses of Eliquis can increase your risk of blood clots.*

To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or using a timer. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.

* Eliquis has a boxed warning regarding this risk. A boxed warning is a serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous. To learn more, see “FDA warnings” at the beginning of this article.

Eliquis comes as an oral tablet. You’ll take it by mouth, with or without food.

Eliquis should be taken twice daily. It may be helpful to take the drug around the same times each day. This helps maintain a steady level of Eliquis in your body so that the drug can work effectively.

If you have trouble swallowing tablets, see this article for tips on how to take this form of medication. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist about crushing Eliquis tablets and taking the medication with apple juice, applesauce, or water. Your doctor or pharmacist can give directions on how to take Eliquis if you have trouble swallowing tablets.

Be sure to follow instructions given by your doctor for taking Eliquis. Never stop taking it without talking with your doctor first. Stopping treatment earlier than recommended can increase your risk of blood clots.*

Missing doses of Eliquis can also increase your risk of blood clots. So, it’s important to be certain you have enough Eliquis on hand. Make sure you refill the medication on time at your pharmacy so that you don’t run out of it.

* Eliquis has a boxed warning regarding this risk. A boxed warning is a serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous. To learn more, see “FDA warnings” at the beginning of this article.

ACCESSIBLE DRUG LABELS AND CONTAINERS

If you’re having trouble reading your prescription label, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.

If you’re having trouble opening medication bottles, ask your pharmacist about putting Eliquis in an easy-open container. They also may recommend tools that can make it easier to open bottles.

If you take more Eliquis than your doctor prescribes, you may develop serious side effects. It’s important that you don’t take more Eliquis than your doctor advises.

Symptoms of an overdose

An Eliquis overdose can cause bleeding to occur. Symptoms may include:

  • vomiting blood
  • having blood in your stool or urine
  • coughing up blood
  • bleeding that won’t stop, such as from a wound

If you take more than the recommended amount of Eliquis

Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Eliquis. Another option is to call the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

The dosages described in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Eliquis for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes.

As with any drug, never change your dosage of Eliquis without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Eliquis that’s best for you, talk with your doctor.

Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Eliquis. These additional articles might be helpful:

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.