From the Guidelines
Eliquis (apixaban) is a recommended treatment for deep vein thrombosis (DVT), with a standard regimen of 10 mg orally twice daily for the first 7 days, followed by 5 mg twice daily for at least 3 months, as supported by the American Society of Hematology 2020 guidelines 1. The treatment of DVT with Eliquis is based on its mechanism of action as a direct Factor Xa inhibitor, which prevents clot formation and growth.
- The initial dose of 10 mg twice daily for 7 days is crucial in quickly establishing therapeutic anticoagulation levels.
- After the initial 7 days, the dose is reduced to 5 mg twice daily, which is effective for the majority of patients in preventing recurrent VTE without significantly increasing the risk of bleeding 1.
- For patients requiring extended treatment, a reduced dose of 2.5 mg twice daily may be considered, especially in those with a lower risk of recurrence, as suggested by the ASH guideline panel 1. It's essential for patients to take Eliquis at the same times each day, with or without food, and not to stop the medication without consulting their healthcare provider, as this could increase the risk of blood clots.
- Common side effects of Eliquis include increased bleeding risk, bruising, and nosebleeds, and patients should inform their healthcare providers about all medications they're taking, as certain drugs can interact with Eliquis.
- Regular follow-up appointments are necessary to monitor treatment effectiveness and determine the appropriate duration of therapy based on individual risk factors, considering the latest guidelines and evidence 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
1.3 Treatment of Deep Vein Thrombosis Apixaban tablets are indicated for the treatment of DVT.
2.1 Recommended Dose Treatment of DVT and PE The recommended dose of apixaban tablets is 10 mg taken orally twice daily for the first 7 days of therapy. After 7 days, the recommended dose is 5 mg taken orally twice daily.
Eliquis DVT Treatment: The recommended dose of apixaban (Eliquis) for the treatment of DVT is 10 mg orally twice daily for the first 7 days, followed by 5 mg orally twice daily 2.
From the Research
Eliquis DVT Treatment
Eliquis, also known as apixaban, is a direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) used for the treatment of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The following points summarize the efficacy and safety of Eliquis in DVT treatment:
- A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies found that apixaban was associated with a significantly lower risk of major bleeding compared to rivaroxaban for the treatment of VTE 3.
- A study evaluating the treatment of upper extremity DVT with apixaban and rivaroxaban found that both medications were safe and effective, with no significant difference in recurrent VTE or major bleeding 4.
- A network meta-analysis comparing the efficacy and tolerability of VKA and target-specific oral anticoagulants for extended VTE treatment found that apixaban, dabigatran, rivaroxaban, and warfarin had similar efficacy, but apixaban had a lower risk of major bleeding compared to warfarin 5.
- A non-inferiority trial comparing reduced-dose versus full-dose direct oral anticoagulants in patients at high risk of recurrence found that reduction of the direct oral anticoagulant dose did not meet the non-inferiority criteria, but the low recurrence rates in both groups and substantial reduction of clinically relevant bleeding with the reduced dose could support this regimen as an option 6.
Comparison with Rivaroxaban
The following points compare the efficacy and safety of Eliquis (apixaban) with rivaroxaban in DVT treatment:
- A systematic review and meta-analysis found that apixaban was associated with a trend towards lower risk of recurrent VTE and a significantly lower risk of major bleeding compared to rivaroxaban 3.
- A study evaluating the efficacy and safety of rivaroxaban versus warfarin in the management of unusual site DVT found that rivaroxaban had comparable efficacy and a lower risk of bleeding complications and major bleeding compared to warfarin 7.
- A network meta-analysis found that rivaroxaban had a higher risk of major bleeding compared to apixaban, but the wide credible intervals prevented the interpretation of these increased risks 5.