Overview
Eliquis is the common brand name for apixaban, an anticoagulant medication. It is also classified as a Factor Xa inhibitor. In home health nursing, Eliquis teaching often focuses on bleeding precautions, medication compliance, fall prevention, signs of bleeding to report, and short EMR indication options for why the patient is taking the medication.
Common indications may include reducing risk of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, treating deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, reducing risk of recurrent DVT or PE, and preventing DVT after hip or knee replacement surgery when prescribed. DailyMed/FDA labeling lists these indications for Eliquis. MedlinePlus also lists apixaban for reducing stroke or blood clot risk in atrial fibrillation, treating or preventing DVT/PE, and preventing clots after hip or knee replacement surgery.
Eliquis may help reduce blood clot risk as ordered, but it can also increase bleeding risk. Patient-specific reason for use should always be verified before selecting an indication or documenting medication teaching.
Medication Quick Information
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Generic name | Apixaban |
| Common brand name(s) | Eliquis |
| Drug classification | Anticoagulant, Factor Xa inhibitor |
| Common home health teaching focus | Bleeding precautions, fall prevention, medication compliance, blood clot symptom awareness, medication interaction awareness, and when to notify PCP |
Common Indications for Eliquis
Common indications may include:
- Atrial fibrillation-related stroke risk reduction, when ordered
- Blood clot prevention in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, when ordered
- Treatment of deep vein thrombosis, also called DVT
- Treatment of pulmonary embolism, also called PE
- Reduction in risk of recurrent DVT or PE
- Prevention of DVT after hip or knee replacement surgery, when ordered
- Anticoagulation therapy as part of patient’s ordered medication plan
Eliquis is sometimes called a blood thinner, but its drug classification is anticoagulant, Factor Xa inhibitor. Drug classification is not the same as patient-specific indication. For example, Eliquis may be classified as an anticoagulant, but the patient-specific indication may be A-fib stroke risk reduction, DVT treatment, PE treatment, or post-surgical DVT prevention depending on provider order and diagnosis.
Short EMR Indication Options
Verify patient-specific reason before use. The examples below are possible short indication options. Select only the indication that matches the patient’s diagnosis, provider order, medication profile, discharge instructions, pharmacy label, or clarified PCP/provider instruction.
| Patient diagnosis / reason | Short EMR indication option |
|---|---|
| Nonvalvular atrial fibrillation | A-fib / stroke prevention |
| Atrial fibrillation with clot risk | A-fib / clot prevention |
| Stroke risk reduction | Stroke risk reduction |
| Deep vein thrombosis | DVT treatment |
| Pulmonary embolism | PE treatment |
| History of DVT | Recurrent DVT prevention |
| History of PE | Recurrent PE prevention |
| Hip replacement clot prevention | Post-hip DVT prevention |
| Knee replacement clot prevention | Post-knee DVT prevention |
| Ordered anticoagulation therapy | Anticoagulation therapy |
Home Health Teaching Focus
For home health nursing, Eliquis teaching often focuses on bleeding precautions, fall prevention, medication compliance, medication list review, interaction awareness, and recognizing symptoms that need prompt reporting.
Patients may need reinforcement if they have a new Eliquis order, history of A-fib, DVT, PE, stroke risk, recent hip or knee surgery, recent Hospital stay, fall risk, bleeding history, medication confusion, missed doses, refill problems, or poor understanding of anticoagulant precautions.
Patient Teaching Points for Eliquis
Basic teaching may include:
- Take Eliquis exactly as ordered by PCP/provider.
- Do not stop, skip, hold, take extra, or change medication unless instructed by PCP/provider.
- Report unusual bleeding, easy bruising, black or bloody stools, blood in urine, or vomiting blood.
- Use fall precautions and report falls, head injury, or injury with bleeding right away.
- Tell PCP, dentist, pharmacy, and other providers that you take Eliquis.
- Ask PCP or pharmacist before taking new over-the-counter medications, aspirin, NSAIDs, supplements, or herbal products.
- Keep updated medication list available for PCP, pharmacy, home health agency, and Hospital visits.
- Request refills before medication runs out.
- Ask PCP or pharmacist if confused about medication purpose or instructions.
Possible Side Effects or Concerns to Report
Possible side effects or concerns may include:
- unusual bruising
- bleeding that is hard to stop
- nosebleeds
- bleeding gums
- blood in urine
- black, tarry, or bloody stools
- vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
- coughing up blood
- severe headache
- dizziness, weakness, or fainting
- fall or head injury
- heavy or unusual menstrual bleeding
- severe back pain or weakness, especially after spinal/epidural procedure
DailyMed labeling includes boxed warnings that premature discontinuation of Eliquis increases risk of thrombotic events and that spinal/epidural hematoma may occur in patients receiving neuraxial anesthesia or spinal puncture. MedlinePlus also warns that stopping apixaban without provider direction can increase stroke or clot risk in some patients, and it lists aspirin, NSAIDs, and St. John’s wort as nonprescription or herbal products that may interact with apixaban.
When to Notify PCP
Call PCP or follow agency/provider instructions if patient has:
- unusual bruising or bleeding
- nosebleeds or bleeding gums
- blood in urine
- black, tarry, or bloody stools
- vomiting blood or coughing up blood
- heavy or unusual menstrual bleeding
- dizziness, weakness, or fainting
- fall, injury, or head injury
- medication confusion
- missed doses
- refill problems
- new medication, supplement, aspirin, NSAID, or herbal product started by another provider
- symptoms that are not improving
When to Call 911
Call 911 or get emergency help right away for:
- fall with head injury
- severe bleeding or bleeding that will not stop
- vomiting blood
- coughing up blood
- black or bloody stools with weakness, dizziness, or feeling faint
- sudden severe headache
- sudden confusion
- stroke-like symptoms
- chest pain or chest pressure
- severe shortness of breath
- fainting or unresponsiveness
- severe allergic reaction symptoms
- severe swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat
- symptoms that feel severe or life-threatening
Medication Teaching Lookup for Home Health Nurses
Important Use Note
This post is for education and home health teaching support only. It does not provide dosing advice. It does not replace provider orders, pharmacy guidance, discharge instructions, medication profile, agency policy, payer requirements, or skilled nursing judgment.
Always verify patient-specific medication use and indication with provider order, medication profile, discharge instructions, pharmacy label, agency policy, and clinical judgment. Drug classification is not the same as patient-specific indication.
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Sources Used for Medication Information
- DailyMed / FDA prescribing label for Eliquis/apixaban, including listed indications for stroke and systemic embolism risk reduction in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, DVT/PE treatment, recurrent DVT/PE risk reduction, and DVT prophylaxis after hip or knee replacement surgery.
- MedlinePlus medication information for apixaban, including common uses, safety information, and interaction reminders.
- Patient-specific use should always be verified with provider order, medication profile, discharge instructions, pharmacy label, agency policy, and clinical judgment.
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