Apixaban, a factor Xa (FXa) inhibitor, is chemically described as 1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-7-oxo-6-[4-(2-oxopiperidin-1-yl) phenyl]-4, 5, 6, 7-tetrahydro-1 H-pyrazolo [3, 4c] pyridine-3-carboxamide. Its molecular formula is C 25 H 25 N 5 O 4 , which corresponds to a molecular weight of 459.5. Apixaban has the following structural formula: Apixaban is a white to pale-yellow powder. At physiological pH (1.2–6.8), apixaban does not ionize; its aqueous solubility across the physiological pH range is ~0.04 mg/mL. Apixaban tablets are available for oral administration in strengths of 2.5 mg and 5 mg of apixaban with the following inactive ingredients: lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, sodium lauryl sulfate, povidone and magnesium stearate. The film coating contains hypromellose, titanium dioxide, triacetin, and yellow iron oxide (2.5 mg tablets) or red iron oxide (5 mg tablets). str

What kind of drug is apixaban?

The FDA classifies apixaban as a factor xa inhibitor. If you are checking whether it is safe to combine with something else, the class is what matters — two drugs from the same class usually should not be stacked.

Can you take apixaban with other medicines?

It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run apixaban against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.

What brand names is apixaban sold under?

We track 3 apixaban-containing products in the U.S.: Apixaban, Eliquis and Eliquis Sprinkle. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.

What forms does apixaban come in?

Across the brands we track, apixaban is currently marketed as tablet and capsule, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.

Is there a generic apixaban?

Yes. Our catalog lists 1 generic apixaban product alongside the brand versions. A generic has the same active ingredient and must meet the FDA's bioequivalence standard; it usually costs less. Ask your pharmacist which one your plan covers.

Apixaban: uses, dosing, side effects & brands

Apixaban is a factor xa inhibitor sold in the U.S. under 3 brand and generic names, for pulmonary embolism and venous thrombosis. Below: what the FDA label says, every product that contains it, what the pills look like, and its recall record.

By the pharmaranks editorial teamReviewed against the FDA (openFDA label, NDC Directory & Enforcement) sourcesHow we research

Key facts

Drug class: Factor Xa Inhibitor
Treats: Pulmonary Embolism and Venous Thrombosis
Available as: Tablet · Capsule
Sold as: 3 products — Apixaban, Eliquis and Eliquis Sprinkle
Prescription?: Prescription only
Generic available?: Yes
Boxed warning: Boxed warning

How apixaban is dosed

From the FDA label for Apixaban (application ANDA210091). Other apixaban products — different forms, different strengths — are dosed differently. Follow the label for the one you were prescribed.

Reduction of risk of stroke and systemic embolism in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation: • The recommended dose is 5 mg orally twice daily. ( 2.1 ) • In patients with at least 2 of the following characteristics: age greater than or equal to 80 years, body weight less than or equal to 60 kg, or serum creatinine greater than or equal to 1.5 mg/dL, the recommended dose is 2.5 mg orally twice daily. ( 2.1 ) • Prophylaxis of DVT following hip or knee replacement surgery: • The recommended dose is 2.5 mg orally twice daily. ( 2.1 ) • Treatment of DVT and PE: • The recommended dose is 10 mg taken orally twice daily for 7 days, followed by 5 mg taken orally twice daily. ( 2.1 ) • Reduction in the risk of recurrent DVT and PE following initial therapy: • The recommended dose is 2.5 mg taken orally twice daily. ( 2.1 ) 2.1 Recommended Dose Reduction of Risk of Stroke and Systemic Embolism in Patients with Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation The recommended dose of apixaban tablets for most patients is 5 mg taken orally twice daily. The recommended dose of apixaban tablets is 2.5 mg twice daily in patients with at least two of the following characteristics: • age greater than or equal to 80 years • body weight less than or equal to 60 kg • serum creatinine greater than or equal to 1.5 mg/dL Prophylaxis of Deep Vein Thrombosis Following Hip or Knee Replacement…

Apixaban side effects

The following clinically significant adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the prescribing information. • Increased Risk of Thrombotic Events After Premature Discontinuation [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] • Bleeding [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] • Spinal/Epidural Anesthesia or Puncture [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] Most common adverse reactions (>1%) are related to bleeding. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Macleods Pharma USA, Inc., at 1-888-943-3210 or 1-855-926-3384 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch . 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Reduction of Risk of Stroke and Systemic Embolism in Patients with Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation The safety of apixaban was evaluated in the ARISTOTLE and AVERROES studies [see Clinical Studies ( 14 )], including 11,284 patients exposed to apixaban tablets 5 mg twice daily and 602 patients exposed to apixaban tablets 2.5 mg twice daily. The duration of apixaban exposure was ≥12 months for 9375 patients and ≥24 months for 3369 patients in the two studies. In ARISTOTLE, the mean duration of…

Every apixaban product we track (3)

Same active ingredient — different manufacturer, form, price and FDA recall record. That last one is what our independent score measures.

Apixaban products
#	Drug	Rating	Type	Form	Generic?	Typical price
1	Apixaban Boxed warning	62/100	Prescription	Tablet	—	—	View →
2	Eliquis

What apixaban pills look like

Imprint codes, colour and shape from the FDA’s labelling data. Match the imprint on your pill — or search any imprint.

Apixaban pill imprints
Imprint	Strength	Colour	Shape	Maker
893;2;1;2	2.5 mg	yellow	round	—
894;5	5 mg	pink	oval	—
894;5	5 mg	pink	oval	—
893;2;1;2	2.5 mg	yellow	round	—
894;5	5 mg	pink	oval	—
F51	2.5 mg	yellow

Frequently asked questions

What is apixaban?: Apixaban, a factor Xa (FXa) inhibitor, is chemically described as 1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-7-oxo-6-[4-(2-oxopiperidin-1-yl) phenyl]-4, 5, 6, 7-tetrahydro-1 H-pyrazolo [3, 4c] pyridine-3-carboxamide. Its molecular formula is C 25 H 25 N 5 O 4 , which corresponds to a molecular weight of 459.5. Apixaban has the following structural formula: Apixaban is a white to pale-yellow powder. At physiological pH (1.2–6.8), apixaban does not ionize; its aqueous solubility across the physiological pH range is ~0.04 mg/mL. Apixaban tablets are available for oral administration in strengths of 2.5 mg and 5 mg of apixaban with the following inactive ingredients: lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, sodium lauryl sulfate, povidone and magnesium stearate. The film coating contains hypromellose, titanium dioxide, triacetin, and yellow iron oxide (2.5 mg tablets) or red iron oxide (5 mg tablets). str
What kind of drug is apixaban?: The FDA classifies apixaban as a factor xa inhibitor. If you are checking whether it is safe to combine with something else, the class is what matters — two drugs from the same class usually should not be stacked.
Can you take apixaban with other medicines?: It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run apixaban against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.
What brand names is apixaban sold under?: We track 3 apixaban-containing products in the U.S.: Apixaban, Eliquis and Eliquis Sprinkle. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.
What forms does apixaban come in?: Across the brands we track, apixaban is currently marketed as tablet and capsule, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.

Sources: FDA openFDA drug label, National Drug Code Directory, and Enforcement (recall) database. This page reproduces public FDA data and is not medical advice. Dosing is set by your prescriber.

Apixaban drug interactions

Apixaban is a substrate of both CYP3A4 and P-gp. Inhibitors of CYP3A4 and P-gp increase exposure to apixaban and increase the risk of bleeding. Inducers of CYP3A4 and P-gp decrease exposure to apixaban and increase the risk of stroke and other thromboembolic events. • Combined P-gp and strong CYP3A4 inhibitors increase blood levels of apixaban. Reduce apixaban tablets dose or avoid coadministration. ( 2.5 , 7.1 , 12.3 ) • Simultaneous use of combined P-gp and strong CYP3A4 inducers reduces blood levels of apixaban: Avoid concomitant use. ( 7.2 , 12.3 ) 7.1 Combined P-gp and Strong CYP3A4 Inhibitors For patients receiving apixaban tablets 5 mg or 10 mg twice daily, the dose of apixaban tablets should be decreased by 50% when coadministered with drugs that are combined P-gp and strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole, itraconazole, ritonavir) [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.5 ) and Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )]. For patients receiving apixaban tablets at a dose of 2.5 mg twice daily, avoid coadministration with combined P-gp and strong CYP3A4 inhibitors [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.5 ) and Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )]. Clarithromycin Although clarithromycin is a combined P-gp and strong CYP3A4 inhibitor, pharmacokinetic data suggest that no dose adjustment is necessary with concomitant administration with apixaban tablets [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )].…