
Xarelto vs. Eliquis: Key Differences
Learn what compounded tirzepatide is, how it differs from Mounjaro and Zepbound, and what to know about its safety, cost, and FDA regulations.
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Eliquis—or apixaban—is a blood-thinning medication used to help patients avoid serious blood clots and lower their risk of stroke. It is usually given to patients with an increased risk of deep vein thrombosis or those with AFib who have a higher risk of stroke. It is often prescribed after surgery. Patients may consider splitting up the dose of this medication to reduce the cost of the medication, reduce bleeding, or make dosing adjustments. The reasons are that some patients ask, “Can Eliquis be cut in half?”
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Eliquis is an oral direct factor Xa inhibitor medication. It is used to block the Xa factor in the body. This factor is what causes clotting in the body’s blood. This medication is used for preventive anticoagulant purposes. It reduces patients’ risk of having a stroke or facing serious complications from blood clotting. This medication may be prescribed in doses of 2.5 mg or 5 mg. These doses are to be taken twice per day.
Eliquis is only available as an immediate-release formulation and does not have a time-release variation. It is absorbed quickly into the bloodstream—within 3-4 hours of being ingested. Its effects usually completely dissipate after 24 hours. This is why the medication is to be taken every 12 hours.
Eliquis tablets do not have an official manufacturer recommendation for splitting. They are not scored because they are not intended to be split and there could be some risks associated with splitting the medication. Scoring is the indented lines on the medication. This is how they can be split precisely. It can be easy to unevenly split doses without this line. This could lead to uneven dosing or damage the medication’s coating. Uneven dosing can lead to over- or under-dosing. It can also impact absorption if the coating on the medication gets damaged. This could reduce the overall effectiveness of the medication.
There are a few different risks associated with splitting Eliquis doses. One of the biggest risks is that the absence of a score line on the medication makes it difficult to split the tablet into even doses. This means patients taking the split doses could easily be taking too little or too much. This increases the risk of the patient bleeding or developing blood clots.
Another risk is that many medications like this are made with a protective coating that may be broken during the splitting process. This coating is used to secure the integrity of the medication and protect it from stomach acid. This means the medication would likely degrade more quickly when it reaches the patient’s stomach. This can reduce effectiveness or cause unwanted effects. This could also increase the risk of half of the medication that is not taken immediately becoming damaged.
Patients may try to split their Eliquis tablets for a few different reasons. Patients may do this to try to reduce the costs of the medication since splitting the medication would mean they would only be taking one tablet per day total instead of two. Some patients may also find it difficult to swallow a full Eliquis tablet. They may try to split the tablet to make it easier to swallow. Patients who are trying to lower their doses or taper off them entirely may also try splitting their medication. This should also never be done unless the patient is instructed to do so by their healthcare provider.
There are some alternatives that are safer for patients rather than splitting their Eliquis tablets. One way is by looking into other anticoagulant medications. Patients can discuss this with their doctor to see if there might be an alternative medication they may use instead that will better align with the results they hope to get from taking the medication. There are some medications—like warfarin—that may be cheaper and are scored. These medications should only be used if recommended by a doctor and may require some additional monitoring.
Patients can also ask their doctor about adjusting their doses. Doctors may be able to lower their doses and give them a safer route for taking those lowered doses that does not require them to split the un-scored tablet. Patients on 5 mg tablets may be able to get their doctor to lower their doses to 2.5 mg tablets instead if overall dose reduction is the issue.
Eliquis dosing should never be changed without talking to a doctor or healthcare provider first and receiving approval. Medical professionals can help patients find the safest options for them. This may include switching their medication or adjusting their doses. They may also be able to suggest new ways to make it easier for patients who have difficulty swallowing the tablets. No tablets should be swallowed without medical advice first. Patients can also ask for assistance at their pharmacy to see if a smaller dose is available.
Patients should never take it upon themselves to split their Eliquis tablets without their doctor’s approval. Professional guidance should always be followed to make sure the dose that the patient is taking and the form in which they are taking it are safe for them.
Visit MyRx Outlet today to purchase more affordable Eliquis and other prescription medications from Canada.
Eliquis is usually about $790 for 60 5 mg tablets in the U.S. for patients without insurance. This amounts to about $26 each day.
There are a few different possible alternatives to Elquis. These include anticoagulant medications like warfarin and dabigatran. Some patients may also use other medications like rivaroxaban or direct oral anticoagulants.
This medication is usually covered under Medicare Part D. However, copays can still be fairly high. The average monthly Medicare copayment is $55 for patients taking Eliquis.
Patients have a few different options for getting cheaper prices on Eliquis. They could opt for a cheaper generic alternative. They could also try bulk purchasing and buying for months in advance at once. Some patients may also be eligible for insurance coverage or discount programs. One of the best ways to save money on the same name-brand medication without insurance coverage is to order online from a prescription fulfillment service out of Canada like MyRx Outlet. They ship the same prescription medications to patients’ doorsteps at cheaper Canadian prices. Coupons may also be available on some of these medications.
Written & Reviewed By
The MyRx Team
The MyRx Outlet team is a dedicated group of healthcare professionals and pharmacists dedicated to delivering up-to-date and accurate information on medications and key healthcare topics. With years of experience in the healthcare field, our team is passionate about supporting individuals in reaching their health and wellness goals through our articles.
The information provided here is for educational purposes only and is not intended to serve as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. It should not be taken as an endorsement of any specific medication or treatment. Individual health conditions and responses to treatment can vary greatly; therefore, this information should not be seen as a guarantee of safety, suitability, or effectiveness for any particular individual. Always consult with a healthcare professional for personalized medical advice and before making any decisions regarding your health or treatment plans.
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What Is A Generic?
×A generic drug is essentially a copycat version of a brand-name medication, offering the same safety, quality, and effectiveness, but often at a lower cost. When a brand-name drug's patent expires, other companies can produce the generic version. These generics contain the same active ingredients and work in the same way in the body as the original brand-name drug. However, they might differ in color, shape, or inactive ingredients. The appeal of generic drugs lies in their affordability; they provide a more cost-effective option for consumers without sacrificing the benefits of the original medication. This makes healthcare more accessible to a larger portion of the population, ensuring that more people can receive the treatment they need without the burden of high costs associated with brand-name drugs.