Healthy Matters
Resources
  • Healthy Matters
    Drugs A-Z
    Pharmacist Tips | Dosages | Side effects
  • Healthy Matters
    Food & Nutrition
    Nutritionist Tips | Facts | Precautions
  • Healthy Matters
    Chinese Medicine Herbs
    Practitioner Tips | Dosages | Side effects
  • Healthy Matters
    Chinese Medicine Prescriptions
  • Healthy Matters
    Expert Advisory Board
Articles
  • Healthy Matters
    Specialists Guide
  • Healthy Matters
    Other Services Guide
  • Healthy Matters
    Vaccination
  • Healthy Matters
    Parenting Guides
Health Topics ★
  • Healthy Matters
    Allergy & Immunology
  • Healthy Matters
    Baby & Child's Health
  • Healthy Matters
    Beauty
  • Healthy Matters
    Bone & Muscle Health
  • Healthy Matters
    Cancer & Tumor
  • Healthy Matters
    Common Illnesses
  • Healthy Matters
    Digestive Health
  • Healthy Matters
    Eye Health
  • Healthy Matters
    Fitness
  • Healthy Matters
    Food & Nutrition
  • Healthy Matters
    Heart & Vascular Health
  • Healthy Matters
    Infectious Diseases
  • Healthy Matters
    Medical Tests
  • Healthy Matters
    Mental Health
  • Healthy Matters
    Pregnancy
  • Healthy Matters
    Respiratory Health
  • Healthy Matters
    Sexual Health
  • Healthy Matters
    Skin Health
  • Healthy Matters
    Urological Health
  • Healthy Matters
    Women's Health
Search All
  • Healthy Matters
    Doctors
    Specialty | Address | Phone number
  • Healthy Matters
    Clinics
    Opening Hours | Address | Phone number
Popular Locations
  • Healthy Matters
    Central
  • Healthy Matters
    Tsim Sha Tsui
  • Healthy Matters
    Mong Kok
  • Healthy Matters
    Causeway Bay
Healthy Matters
Home
>
Western medicines > Apixaban

Apixaban

Chinese name:
阿哌沙班
Joseph Blais, Pharmacist
Reviewed by
Joseph Blais, Pharmacist
Expert Advisory Board Member
Last Updated: 2022-04-26

What is Apixaban for?

Apixaban belongs to a class of medications called Direct or Non-Vitamin K antagonist Oral Anticoagulant. It is used to treat blood clots, including that in deep veins and in major blood vessels in the lung, and to prevent potential stroke in atrial fibrillation patients (but not for those with abnormal heart valves).

How to use it?

Apixaban can be taken orally.

 

For preventing stroke in atrial fibrillation, the usual dose is 5 mg twice daily.

 

For preventing DVT or PE after surgery, the initial dose is 2.5 mg 12-24 hours after surgery, followed by 2.5 mg twice daily for 35 and 12 days for hip and knee replacement respectively.

 

For treating DVT or PE, the initial dose is 10 mg twice daily; the maintenance dose is 5 mg twice daily.

 

A lower dose is used in patients with lower weight or poorer kidney function.

What are the side effects of Apixaban?

The most common side effect is a higher chance of bleeding, for example, easier bruising, black tarry stools (gastrointestinal bleeding), and pink urine (bleeding in the urinary tract), which may lead to anaemia.

Who should not take Apixaban?

  • Anyone who is sensitive to Apixaban or any ingredients in the medicine
  • Anyone with active bleeding

Pharmacist Tips:

  • As Apixaban increases the chance of bleeding, be careful and avoid injury. Use a soft toothbrush and an electric razor. Make sure you take every dose, as you may risk a potentially fatal blood clot.

Common dosing schedule:
Apixaban can be taken with or without food. Take it at the same time on a daily basis. Unlike conventional anticoagulants (e.g. Warfarin), Apixaban has fewer dietary restrictions.

 

What if I miss a dose?
Apixaban is usually taken twice daily. If you remember to take it within 6 hours, take the missed dose immediately; if it is over 6 hours, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal dosing schedule. Do not take two doses at the same time. Please record the date of the missed dose and tell the doctor in the next follow-up.

 

This schedule is for reference only, adjustments may be made according to individual needs.

 

Some common medications Apixaban may interact with:

  • Antiplatelet agents, e.g. Aspirin, Clopidogrel
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, e.g. Ibuprofen, Celecoxib
  • Phenytoin
  • Diltiazem

Please notify your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking the above medication, as dosage adjustments might be needed.

Where to buy Apixaban in Hong Kong?

In Hong Kong, Apixaban is a prescription-only medicine and requires a prescription from a doctor to be purchased in a pharmacy. It can also be obtained from doctors. To find a pharmacy near you, refer to the list of pharmacies (“Authorized Sellers of Poisons”) from the Hong Kong Department of Health.

 

For more information about drug names and ingredients, you can visit Hong Kong’s Drug Office at https://www.drugoffice.gov.hk

Need more information?

For detailed information about the use of Apixaban in children, pregnancy and breastfeeding, and for questions about drug interactions, please check with your pharmacist or doctor.

Disclaimer: our goal is to provide you with the most relevant drug information and common dosage for Hong Kong. This information does not constitute medical advice. For specific treatment recommendations and advice, always discuss with your doctor or pharmacist, and follow the instructions included with your specific medicine.

Healthy Matters

Your health resource, made in Hong Kong

Healthy Matters is Hong Kong’s leading health resource. Our mission is to help you make better health decisions and take control of your health.

 

Our team of experts is committed to producing reliable health content that is accurate, engaging and relevant, to cover your health & wellness journey from prevention to treatment.

 

Whether you are looking for trusted information on health conditions, wellbeing or looking for the right doctor or service in Hong Kong, we’re here to help!

 

Your health matters. Begin your health journey with Healthy Matters today!

 

Read about our story

illustrations of a doctor and a mobile phone