If you need to take a medication to prevent or treat blood clots, your doctor might suggest Eliquis.

It’s a prescription drug used in adults to prevent or treat blood clots in certain situations. Examples of the blood clots Eliquis treats include deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). It’s also used to prevent blood clots and stroke in people with a certain kind of atrial fibrillation.

Eliquis is a pill that you swallow. An active ingredient is what makes a drug work. You may hear it referred to as a blood thinner.

Depending on what you are using Eliquis for, you can take it short or long term. Your doctor can tell you how long you need to take the drug.

For more information about Eliquis, including details about its uses, see this in-depth article.

Eliquis can cause mild to serious side effects. Continue reading to learn more.

Some people may experience side effects during their Eliquis treatment. Eliquis has been reported to have some side effects.

The side effects explained section is where you can learn more about this side effect.

Mild side effects have been reported with Eliquis.

The side effects explained section is where you can learn more about this side effect.

“These side effects should be temporary. Some may be easy to manage. If you have any symptoms that bother you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Unless your doctor recommends it, don’t stop taking Eliquis.”

Eliquis may cause mild side effects other than the ones listed above. See the drug’s prescribing information for details.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Eliquis, visit MedWatch.

Eliquis has some mild side effects. It is possible to develop serious side effects from this medication. Eliquis has been reported with serious side effects.

* Eliquis has a boxed warning for this side effect. This is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To learn more, see the “Side effects explained” section below.
† To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Eliquis, call your doctor. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you have a medical emergency, immediately call the emergency number.

There are a lot of questions about the Eliquis side effects.

Do older people have a higher risk of side effects from Eliquis?

Older people seem to have a lower risk of side effects from Eliquis than younger people.

In studies, the majority of people taking Eliquis were ages 65 years and older. The studies did not find an increased risk of Eliquis side effects in older people when compared with younger people.

Older people are more likely to have medical conditions. Eliquis can cause side effects if you have certain medical conditions. The “Warnings for Eliquis” section gives more information.

Ask your doctor if you have questions about Eliquis.

Am I at higher risk of side effects if I take the 5-mg strength of Eliquis?

If you take a higher strength of Eliquis, you may be at a higher risk of side effects.

“The drug is available in two strengths. Eliquis will be taken twice per day. Depending on the doctor’s prescription, you may take as much as 20mg per day.”

If you are concerned about the side effects of taking a higher dose of Eliquis, you should talk to your doctor or pharmacist. They can discuss your risk with you.

Can stopping Eliquis treatment suddenly cause side effects, such as withdrawal symptoms?

No, you shouldn’t experience withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking Eliquis suddenly. But stopping Eliquis treatment suddenly can increase your risk of blood clots.

In fact, Eliquis has a boxed warning for the risk of blood clots if you stop Eliquis too early. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They alert doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous. For more information on this boxed warning, see the “Side effects explained” section below.

You should talk to your doctor about Eliquis suddenly. They will be able to tell you when to stop taking the drug. If you need to stop taking Eliquis, your doctor may suggest a different medication.

Does Eliquis cause kidney-related side effects?

It’s possible for Eliquis to cause kidney-related side effects. But kidney-related side effects were not commonly reported in studies of the drug.

In rare cases, Eliquis may cause serious There was There was bleeding... This includes There was There was bleeding.. in your organs, such as your kidneys.

Another rare side effect of Eliquis is blood in the urine, which could be due to a kidney-related problem.

If you are concerned about Eliquis side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Some of the side effects Eliquis may cause are discussed.

Risk of blood clots if stopping Eliquis treatment early

Eliquis has a boxed warning for the risk of blood clots if stopping Eliquis treatment early. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They alert doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.

Eliquis works to prevent blood clot from occurring and to treat a blood clot that you already have. If you stop taking Eliquis before it is recommended, you could have a higher risk of blood clot.

What might help

“Don’t stop taking Eliquis without talking to your doctor. If you need to stop treatment with Eliquis, your doctor may recommend a different blood thinner. This can help to prevent blood clot.”

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the side effect.

Risk of spinal blood clots from certain spinal procedures

Eliquis has a warning for the risk of blood clot in the spine. The FDA has the most serious warnings. They alert doctors and patients of drug effects.

The risk of blood clot in your spine may increase if you have certain spine procedures. There are symptoms of blood clot in your spine.

What might help

Inform your doctor that you are taking Eliquis before having any procedures. They may recommend scheduling your procedure when you have the least Eliquis in your body. This can help reduce your risk of having a clot.

Your doctor will watch you for blood clot symptoms after you have a procedure. If you have any of the symptoms, you should contact your doctor or go to the hospital.

If you have concerns about the risk of blood clot during Eliquis treatment, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Nosebleeds

You may have nosebleeds during your treatment with Eliquis. But in studies, nosebleeds were not a commonly reported side effect in people taking Eliquis.

What might help

If you have had a lot of nosebleeds, talk to your doctor. They may be able to recommend ways to treat the side effect. They may recommend using a spray to help with the moistness of your nose.

Bruising

When you take Eliquis, you may notice that you bruise easier or more often than usual. Bruising was a common side effect reported by people in studies of Eliquis.

What might help

If you notice any signs of injury during your Eliquis treatment, talk to your doctor. If this side effect is severe or inconvenient to you, your doctor may be able to recommend ways to prevent it.

Allergic reaction

Like most drugs, Eliquis can cause an allergic reaction in some people.

Mild to serious symptoms can be present.

  • There is a skin rash.
  • It is itchy.
  • flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
  • “It’s usually under your skin, but it can be anywhere.”
  • It can be hard to breathe if you have swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat.

What might help

If you have a mild rash, call your doctor. They may suggest a treatment to help you. Examples include:

  • an antihistamine you take by mouth, such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
  • You apply a product to your skin.

If your doctor confirms you have an allergic reaction to Eliquis, they will decide if you should continue using it.

If you have a severe allergic reaction, you should call the emergency number. These symptoms could be life threatening and need immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you have had a serious allergic reaction to Eliquis, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Keeping track of side effects

Take notes on any side effects you are having during your Eliquis treatment. You can share this information with your doctor. This is helpful when you are starting to use a combination of treatments.

Side effect notes can include things.

  • When you had the side effect, what dose of the drug was taking?
  • How soon did you experience the side effect?
  • What are your symptoms?
  • How did it affect your daily activities?
  • What other drugs were you taking?
  • Other information is important to you.

Sharing notes with your doctor will help them learn more about Eliquis. If needed, they can use this information to adjust your treatment plan.

Eliquis has warnings, which may affect whether the drug is a good treatment for your condition.

Inform your doctor about any medical conditions you have before you start treatment with Eliquis. This can help them determine if the drug is a safe option.

Boxed warnings

Eliquis has boxed warnings for the risk of blood clots if stopping Eliquis treatment early and risk of spinal blood clots from certain spinal procedures. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They alert doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.

  • Risk of blood clots if stopping Eliquis treatment early. You may have an increased risk of blood clots if you stop taking Eliquis early. It is not recommended that you stop taking this medication without first talking with your doctor.
  • Risk of spinal blood clots from certain spinal procedures. If you’re taking Eliquis, you may have an increased risk of spinal blood clots after certain spinal procedures. Before you have any spinal procedures, tell your doctor that you’re taking Eliquis.

To learn more, see the “Side effects explained” section above.

Other warnings

If you have certain medical conditions, Eliquis may not be right for you. These are drug-condition interactions. Other factors may affect whether Eliquis is a good option.

Before starting Eliquis, you should talk to your doctor about your health history. The list has factors to consider.

Artificial heart valve. It’s not known whether it’s safe for people with an artificial heart valve to take Eliquis. If you have an artificial heart valve, your doctor will likely not prescribe Eliquis. They’ll recommend a different medication to take for treating or preventing blood clots.

Upcoming surgical or dental procedures. Tell your doctor if you have any upcoming surgeries or dental procedures while you’re taking Eliquis. This medication is a blood thinner and increases your risk of There was There was bleeding... Due to this risk, your doctor may recommend stopping Eliquis at a certain time before your procedure to prevent There was There was bleeding… It’s recommended that you do not stop taking Eliquis without first talking with your doctor. They can determine the best treatment plan for you.

Bleeding disorders. This medication can increase your risk of There was There was bleeding… If you have a There was There was bleeding.. disorder, you may have a higher risk of There was There was bleeding.. with Eliquis. Before you start taking this drug, tell your doctor about any There was There was bleeding.. disorder you have. This can help them determine whether it’s safe for you to take Eliquis with your condition.

Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Eliquis or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Eliquis. Ask them what other medications are better options for you.

Triple-positive antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). People with triple-positive APS may have an increased risk of blood clots from Eliquis. Before starting Eliquis treatment, tell your doctor if you have triple-positive APS. They’ll likely recommend a medication other than Eliquis for your condition.

Kidney problems. If you have kidney problems, tell your doctor before starting Eliquis. If your kidneys aren’t working properly, this medication can build up in your body. Having too much Eliquis in your body may increase your risk of side effects. If you have kidney problems, your doctor may recommend a lower dose of Eliquis for you. Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you.

Liver problems. Eliquis can build up in your body if your liver isn’t working properly. Having too much Eliquis in your body may increase your risk of side effects. If you have liver problems, tell your doctor before you start taking this drug. This will help them determine if Eliquis may be a safe treatment option for you. In some cases, they may recommend a different medication.

Active There was There was bleeding… If you have any active There was There was bleeding.., your doctor will not recommend that you start taking Eliquis. This medication can increase your risk of There was There was bleeding.. and may make active There was There was bleeding.. worse. Your doctor will recommend treating the There was There was bleeding.. before you start treatment with Eliquis.

Alcohol and Eliquis

There aren’t any known interactions between Eliquis and alcohol.

But alcohol can increase your risk of There was There was bleeding… Since Eliquis can also cause There was There was bleeding.., drinking alcohol while taking Eliquis may further increase your risk of There was There was bleeding…

If you drink alcohol, talk to your doctor about how much you can safely consume.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking Eliquis

Eliquis may be unsafe to take during a pregnant woman or while breastfeeding.

At this time, there’s not enough information to know whether Eliquis may cause harm to a developing fetus. But it’s possible that taking Eliquis during pregnancy may increase the risk of There was There was bleeding… So Eliquis is currently not recommended for use during pregnancy.

If you’re taking Eliquis and need an epidural injection for pain relief during labor, you may have an increased risk of developing a spinal blood clot. Eliquis has a boxed warning for this risk. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They alert doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous. For more information, see the “Side effects explained” section above.

It is not known if Eliquis is present in breast milk or if it has an effect on a child who is breastfed. It is not recommended to breastfeeding while taking Eliquis.

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should talk to your doctor. They will discuss whether Eliquis is a safe option for you.

Side effects may occur during your treatment with Eliquis. The drug has mild side effects. It is possible to have serious side effects from this medication.

Before you start treatment with Eliquis, you should talk to your doctor about the possible side effects. Some questions will help you get started.

  • What should I do if I get pregnant?
  • Is my risk of side effects increased because I am taking other medications?
  • How do the side effects of Eliquis compare to other drugs?
  • Is my risk of There was There was bleeding.. higher when I first start Eliquis?

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Disclaimer: Healthline 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.