What Happens If You Accidentally Take Two Eliquis Tablets?

What is Eliquis?

Eliquis (generic name: apixaban) is a commonly prescribed anticoagulant medication used to prevent blood clots in conditions such as atrial fibrillation, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and pulmonary embolism (PE). However, what happens if you accidentally take two Eliquis tablets instead of the prescribed dose? In this blog post, we’ll explore the potential consequences and provide guidance on what to do if you find yourself in this situation.

Understanding Eliquis Dosage

Before delving into accidental double dosing, let’s review the standard Eliquis dosing regimen. Typically, patients take Eliquis once or twice daily, depending on their specific medical condition. The usual dosage is 5 mg twice a day for most indications. However, some patients may receive a higher initial dose for the first few weeks, especially after a recent DVT or PE event.

Accidental Double Dosing: Is It Harmful?

The good news is that accidentally taking two Eliquis tablets in one dose is unlikely to cause serious harm. Here’s why:

Short Half-Life: Eliquis has a relatively short half-life of approximately 12 hours. This means that after 12 hours, the drug concentration in your system decreases significantly. If you accidentally double-dosed, you’ll likely return to the appropriate dosage level within a short time.

Minimal Accumulation: Unlike some other medications, Eliquis does not significantly accumulate in the body over time. Therefore, an extra dose won’t lead to dangerous levels of the drug.

Low Risk of Bleeding: Eliquis is generally well-tolerated, and the risk of bleeding due to an accidental extra dose is minimal. However, it’s essential to monitor for any unusual bleeding or symptoms.

What Should You Do?

If you realize you’ve taken two Eliquis tablets by mistake, follow these steps:

Stay Calm: Panicking won’t help. Remember that the risk of harm is low.

Skip the Next Dose: If you notice the accidental overdose with your morning dose, skip the evening dose. Conversely, if you took an extra tablet during your evening dose, skip the morning dose. Maintaining the regular dosing schedule is crucial.

Monitor for Symptoms: Keep an eye out for any unusual bleeding, dizziness, or headaches. If you experience these symptoms, seek medical attention promptly.

Check Blood Pressure: If your blood pressure remains within a safe range (usually above 110/70 mm Hg), you can go about your day as usual.

Use a Pill Box: To prevent future mishaps, consider using a pill organizer with separate compartments for morning and evening doses.

Real-Life Experiences

Several individuals have accidentally taken extra Eliquis tablets and shared their experiences online. Here are a few:

Ireland68: After a DVT/PE event, they were on a double dose of Eliquis for two weeks. They accidentally took an extra dose but had no adverse effects. They recommend taking the next dose on time.

BigD67: They made the same mistake once and were advised to skip the next dose. Now, they use a pill box to avoid repetition.

DJ_1967: Having experienced DVT and PE, they found that Eliquis’ short half-life made accidental double dosing less concerning.

Conclusion

Accidentally taking two Eliquis tablets is not a cause for panic. Follow the steps mentioned above, stay vigilant, and consult your healthcare provider if needed. Remember that safety comes first, and a little extra caution can go a long way in managing your medication effectively.

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