Description: Apixaban is an oral anticoagulant medication, often referred to as a “blood thinner.” It is a member of the class of drugs known as direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) and specifically, it is a direct Factor Xa inhibitor.

Indication: Apixaban is used to prevent and treat blood clots in various cardiovascular conditions. This includes:

• Reducing the risk of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (an irregular heart rhythm).
• Preventing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) in patients who have undergone hip or knee replacement surgery.
• Treating existing DVT and PE, and reducing the risk of them happening again.

Mechanism of Action: The process of blood clotting involves a complex series of steps known as the coagulation cascade. A key player in this cascade is an enzyme called Factor Xa. Apixaban works by reversibly and selectively inhibiting Factor Xa. By blocking Factor Xa, apixaban prevents the final step of the cascade—the conversion of prothrombin into thrombin—which is essential for the formation of a blood clot. This action effectively reduces the blood’s ability to clot, thereby preventing the formation of new clots and the growth of existing ones.