Fatigue is a term used to describe an overall feeling of tiredness or lack of energy. It isn’t the same as simply feeling drowsy or sleepy. When you’re fatigued, you have no motivation and no energy. Being sleepy may be a symptom of fatigue, but it’s not the same thing.
Chronic fatigue has many causes, including illnesses such as anemia and multiple sclerosis as well as depression and other psychiatric disorders. But it’s also often a side effect of drugs previously prescribed for other conditions. (I’m not talking here of the complicated disorder known as chronic fatigue syndrome, whose cause is unknown. This condition is characterized by extreme fatigue that can’t be explained by any underlying medical condition.)
Could one or more of the medications you’re taking be making you feel listless or lethargic. If you suspect that your symptoms might be linked to a medication you’re taking, talk to your doctor or health care provider right away. It’s important that you do not discontinue them on your own.
What is Eliquis?
Eliquis is a brand of Apixaban, a type of medicine known as an anticoagulant, or blood thinner. It makes your blood flow through your veins more easily. This means your blood will be less likely to make a dangerous blood clot. It’s FDA-approved to treat and prevent dangerous blood clots that can block blood vessels in your body.
Specifically, Eliquis is approved for use in adults to:
• Prevent blood clots and stroke in people with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AFib). Nonvalvular AFib is a type of irregular heartbeat that’s not caused by a heart valve problem. With this condition, you have a raised risk for blood clots forming in your heart.
• Treat deep vein thrombosis (DVT). A DVT is a blood clot that forms in a vein deep inside your body. DVTs most commonly occur in a vein in your leg, but they can also occur in your arm.
• Treat pulmonary embolism (PE). A PE is a blood clot that blocks blood flow to your lungs. It usually occurs when a DVT gets dislodged and travels through your veins to your lungs.
• Prevent DVT or PE from recurring. After you’ve had an initial treatment for a DVT or PE, Eliquis helps prevent blood clots from occurring again.
• Prevent DVT that could lead to PE in people who’ve had hip or knee replacement surgery. These surgeries raise your risk of getting these types of blood clots.
How should Eliquis be used?
Eliquis comes as a tablet that you take by mouth. It’s available in two strengths: 2.5 milligrams (mg) and 5 mg. Eliquis contains the active drug apixaban. When apixaban is taken to prevent DVT and PE after hip or knee replacement surgery, the first dose should be taken at least 12 to 24 hours after surgery. Eliquis is usually taken for 35 days after a hip replacement surgery and for 12 days after knee replacement surgery. Take Eliquis at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take Eliquis exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
If you are unable to swallow the tablets, you can crush them and mix them with water, apple juice, or applesauce. Swallow the mixture right after you prepare it. Eliquis can also be given in certain types of feeding tubes. Ask your doctor if you should take this medication in your feeding tube. Follow your doctor’s directions carefully.
Continue to take Eliquis even if you feel well. Do not stop taking Eliquis without talking to your doctor. If you stop taking Eliquis, your risk of a blood clot may increase.
Is Fatigue A Side Effect Of Eliquis?
Yes, fatigue or weakness is a known side effect of Eliquis (apixaban), although it is not a common side effect and does not affect everyone who takes the medication. The exact mechanism of how Eliquis causes fatigue is not fully understood, but it is believed to be related to the medication’s blood-thinning properties. During clinical trials, Eliquis causes low counts of cells in your blood which can result in fatigue, weakness, dizziness, and shortness of breath.
Eliquis works by blocking a certain protein in the blood that helps blood to clot. By doing so, it can reduce the risk of blood clots and stroke. However, this also means that the blood may be thinner and flow more easily, which can result in fatigue or weakness in some patients.
In addition, fatigue can also be a symptom of other underlying medical conditions that may require treatment. If you are experiencing fatigue while taking Eliquis, it is important to talk to your doctor or healthcare provider to determine the underlying cause and to discuss any necessary treatment options. Your doctor may also adjust your medication dosage or switch you to a different medication if necessary.
According to Mayo Clinic, the full list of side effects that Eliquis can cause includes:
- Blood in the eyes
- blood in the urine
- bloody or black, tarry stools
- bruising or purple areas on the skin
- confusion
- constipation
- coughing up blood
- decreased alertness
- difficulty swallowing
- dizziness
- fainting
- fast heartbeat
- headache
- hives, itching, skin rash
- joint pain or swelling
- nausea and vomiting
- nosebleeds
- puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
- redness of the eye
- severe stomach pain
- shortness of breath
- tightness in the chest
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds.
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
