Given the potential danger associated with side effects of the blood thinner Eliquis, it’s helpful to know what signs and symptoms to look for.

In the U.S., Eliquis is the newest of the new generation of anticoagulants. Also known by its generic name apixaban, Eliquis was first approved by the FDA in 2012.

It’s now approved as a way to reduce the risk of stroke in persons who suffer from atrial fibrillation. It’s also approved to treat pulmonary embolism and deep venous thrombosis, and to reduce the risk that those conditions may recur.

Serious Side Effects of the Blood Thinner Eliquis

Some of the side effects reported in conjunction with Eliquis treatment may be signs of a more serious condition. According to the FDA’s medication guide for Eliquis,  patients should seek medical care right away if they experience any of the following side effects of the blood thinner Eliquis:

• unexpected bleeding, or bleeding that lasts a long time, such as unusual bleeding from the gums, nosebleeds that happen often, or menstrual bleeding or vaginal bleeding that is heavier than normal
• bleeding that is severe or you cannot control
• red, pink, or brown urine
• red or black stools (looks like tar)
• coughing up blood or blood clots
• vomiting blood or your vomit looks like coffee grounds
• unexpected pain, swelling, or joint pain
• headaches, feeling dizzy or weak

Symptoms like these could indicate an episode of internal bleeding.

Risk of Excessive Bleeding

Unfortunately, heavy bleeding is a necessary risk associated with all anticoagulants, not just Eliquis. That’s because the same effect that protects patients from blood clot-related injuries also inhibits the blood’s natural mechanism for getting bleeding under control.

According to the FDA, this bleeding risk may be even higher for patients who take Eliquis in conjunction with any of these other medications:

• aspirin or aspirin-containing products
• long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• warfarin sodium (also sold under the brand names Coumadin and Jantoven)
• any medicine that contains heparin
• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
• other medicines to help prevent or treat blood clots

Is There an Antidote?

So far, there is no available antidote that can help control bleeding side effects of the blood thinner Eliquis.

In December 2015, Portola Pharmaceuticals applied for FDA approval of a drug that would reverse the anticoagulant effect of Eliquis. The FDA rejected the application in August 2016.

The lack of an antidote has been a point of serious criticism from many patients who suffered side effects of the blood thinner Eliquis. Some of these patients are now plaintiffs in legal action against Briston-Myers Squibb and Pfizer, the drug companies responsible for the manufacture and marketing of Eliquis.

Generally, these plaintiffs argue that the companies didn’t do enough to warn patients about the real risks they faced from Eliquis side effects. They had they been properly informed about the associated dangers, such as the lack of an effective antidote, they never would have taken Eliquis.