Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Eliquis for use in adults to:
Eliquis is a brand-name medication that comes as a tablet that you swallow. It isn’t available in a generic version.
This article describes possible side effects of Eliquis. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for Eliquis. You can explore this overview article to learn more about Eliquis, including the drug’s uses and more.
Boxed warnings
Eliquis has boxed warnings about two risks. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Eliquis’ boxed warnings include:
For details, see the “Side effects of Eliquis in details” section below.
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More common side effects of Eliquis
Eliquis may cause mild or serious side effects. Below are some of the more common side effects of this medication.
Commonly reported side effects of Eliquis include:
Mild side effects of Eliquis
Eliquis may cause certain mild side effects. Usually, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.
Mild side effects of Eliquis that occurred in studies include:
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of Eliquis in detail” section below.
Eliquis may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information.
Serious side effects of Eliquis
Eliquis may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from Eliquis, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Eliquis.
Serious side effects of Eliquis that occurred in studies include:
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of Eliquis in detail” section below.
† Eliquis has a boxed warning for this side effect. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. To learn more, see the “Side effects of Eliquis in detail” section below.
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Common questions about side effects of Eliquis
Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of Eliquis. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Are there side effects after stopping Eliquis?
Stopping Eliquis treatment early can increase your risk of developing a blood clot. Eliquis has a boxed warning about this risk. (To learn more, see the “Side effects of Eliquis in details” section below.)
If you have atrial fibrillation (AFib), stopping Eliquis early can also increase your risk of stroke.
Other than these increased risks, which are serious, Eliquis isn’t known to cause specific side effects or withdrawal* symptoms after you stop taking it.
You should not stop taking Eliquis unless your doctor tells you to. If your doctor has you stop Eliquis, they’ll make sure that your risk of blood clots and stroke is managed. Depending on why you’re taking Eliquis, they may prescribe a different medication to help prevent blood clots after you stop Eliquis.
* Withdrawal describes symptoms that can occur when you stop taking a drug your body is dependent on.
How do side effects of Eliquis in the elderly compare with those in younger adults?
Side effects of Eliquis in older adults are expected to be the same as those in younger adults. (Older adults generally refers to people ages 65 years and older.)
That said, older adults generally have a higher risk of side effects from medications, including Eliquis. This is because older adults are more likely to have a kidney or liver problem. These conditions can increase the risk for side effects from Eliquis. See the “Warnings for Eliquis” section below for a list of other conditions that can raise the risk for side effects from Eliquis.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have concerns about side effects of Eliquis given your age.
Will Eliquis 5 mg cause different side effects than Eliquis 2.5 mg?
No, different strengths of Eliquis won’t cause different side effects.
In general, higher doses of a medication carry a higher risk for side effects than lower doses. So, the risk for side effects with Eliquis 5 milligrams (mg) is generally higher than with Eliquis 2.5 mg.
But other factors impact your risk for side effects, including your health history. To learn more, see the “Warnings for Eliquis” section below. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to learn more about how your Eliquis dose may impact your risk for side effects from the drug.
Are stomach problems a side effect of Eliquis?
Yes, stomach problems are a possible side effect of Eliquis. Both mild and serious stomach problems were reported in studies of the drug. These include:
To learn more about these side effects, see the “Side effects of Eliquis in detail” section below. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have more questions or concerns about Eliquis and stomach problems.
Can Eliquis cause joint pain or leg weakness?
No, it’s not expected to. Neither joint pain nor leg weakness was reported in studies of Eliquis.
If you’re taking Eliquis to prevent blood clots after having a hip or knee replacement, joint pain or leg weakness may be due to your procedure. Talk with your doctor to learn more about possible symptoms while recovering from your surgery. Your doctor can suggest ways to manage them.
It’s possible that leg weakness can be a symptom of a spinal blood clot. And Eliquis has a boxed warning about the risk of spinal blood clots if you receive a spinal injection while taking the drug. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To learn more, see the “Side effects of Eliquis in detail” section below.
Also, joint pain can rarely be a symptom of major bleeding. And major bleeding is a known side effect of blood thinner drugs, including Eliquis. To learn more about major bleeding and its other symptoms, see the “Side effects of Eliquis in detail” section below.
If you have more questions about joint pain or leg weakness with Eliquis, ask your doctor.
Does Eliquis cause long-term side effects?
No, it’s not expected to. Long-term side effects weren’t reported in studies of Eliquis.
That said, Eliquis can rarely cause major bleeding, including bleeding in the head. This side effect can cause long-term complications. For example, intracranial hemorrhage and intracerebral hemorrhage often require long-term rehabilitation. And they may cause long-term disability, even with treatment. (These are types of brain bleeds.)
Talk with your doctor if you have more questions about long-term side effects.
Side effects of Eliquis in detail
Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of Eliquis.
Risk of spinal blood clots from certain spinal procedures
Eliquis has a boxed warning about the risk of spinal blood clots from certain spinal procedures. Boxed warnings are serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Taking Eliquis increases the risk of blood clots in or around the spine. These may occur if you receive a medication injection into or around your spine. An example includes receiving an epidural. Spinal blood clots are dangerous. In rare cases, they may cause paralysis.
Some people may have a higher risk of spinal blood clots while taking Eliquis. This includes people who have a spinal injection during treatment or other risk factors, such as:
Symptoms of a spinal blood clot may include:
- numbness, tingling, or weakness in your body, especially in your legs or toes
- new or worsening bladder problems, such as urinary incontinence
Ways to manage
If you need to have a spinal injection while taking Eliquis, your doctor will monitor you afterward. They’ll watch for symptoms of a spinal blood clot.
Call your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical care right away if you have symptoms of a spinal blood clot.
Risk of blood clots if stopping Eliquis treatment early
Eliquis has a boxed warning about the increased risk of blood clots if you stop taking the drug early. Boxed warnings are serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Stopping treatment early with any blood thinner, including Eliquis, increases the risk of blood clots. Do not stop taking Eliquis until your doctor specifically tells you it’s OK to do so.
In some situations, such as before surgery, your doctor may instruct you to stop taking Eliquis temporarily. If this happens, your doctor will give clear instructions about when to stop Eliquis and when to start it again after surgery.
Ways to manage
Do not stop taking Eliquis unless your doctor specifically tells you to do so.
Some people need to take Eliquis long term. This includes people with atrial fibrillation (AFib) who take Eliquis. (AFib is a type of irregular heartbeat that can increase the risk of blood clots and stroke.)
Other people might take the drug for only a set number of days or weeks. When your doctor prescribes Eliquis, they can advise how long you’ll need to take the drug.
Talk with your doctor if you’re interested in stopping Eliquis treatment. You and your doctor can review your treatment options and determine which may be best for you.
Major bleeding
Major bleeding is a known side effect of blood thinner drugs, including Eliquis. This isn’t unexpected, based on how the drug works.
This side effect was rarely reported in the drug’s studies.
Major bleeding can be life threatening in extreme cases. But there are ways to help lower your risk for it to occur while taking Eliquis.
Symptoms of major bleeding include:
Taking other drugs that increase the risk of bleeding can raise your risk for major bleeding with Eliquis. Examples of these drugs include:
Ways to manage
Call your doctor right away if you have symptoms of major bleeding while taking Eliquis. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
A drug is available that can block the effect of Eliquis and help your blood to clot to stop the bleeding.
Allergic reaction
For some people, Eliquis can cause an allergic reaction. These reactions were rare in the drug’s studies.
Symptoms can be mild or serious, and they may include:
- itchiness
- skin rash
- swelling under the skin, usually affecting eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
- swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
- flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
Ways to manage
For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know if you should keep taking the medication.
For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Eliquis, your doctor may recommend a different medication.
Coupon for Eliquis
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Warnings for Eliquis
Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking Eliquis.
Boxed warnings
Eliquis has boxed warnings about two risks. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Eliquis’ boxed warnings include:
For details, see the “Side effects of Eliquis in detail” section above.
Other warnings
It may not be safe for you to take Eliquis if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other conditions may also affect whether Eliquis is a safe treatment option for you.
Before taking Eliquis, tell your doctor about your health and medications you take. Concerns to consider include:
You can refer to this in-depth article for details about Eliquis’s interactions.
Eliquis and pregnancy
It isn’t known whether it’s safe to take Eliquis during pregnancy. Talk with your doctor to learn more about your treatment options. They can explain the risks and benefits of the drug if taken during pregnancy.
Eliquis and breastfeeding
It’s not known whether it’s safe to breastfeed while taking Eliquis. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication. They can explain the risks and benefits for various feeding options for your child if you’re prescribed the drug.
Eliquis and alcohol
Eliquis isn’t known to interact with alcohol. But both alcohol and Eliquis can prevent your blood from clotting. Combining the two may raise your risk for bleeding. This risk is further increased if you consume large amounts of alcohol.
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it during your treatment with Eliquis.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes common and serious side effects of Eliquis. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they can discuss possible side effects with you. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about treatment with this medication.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Does my health history raise my risk for side effects from Eliquis?
- Am I taking any medications that interact with Eliquis and could cause side effects if used together?
- If I develop side effects while taking Eliquis, is there a lower dose I can try?
- Will I need blood tests to check for low red blood cell counts regularly while taking Eliquis?
Disclaimer: Optum Perks 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.
