How does this medication work? What will it do for me?
Edoxaban belongs to the family of medications called anticoagulants. Anticoagulants prevent harmful blood clots from forming in the blood vessels by reducing the ability of the blood to clot.
Edoxaban is used to treat blood clots for people who have had a deep vein thrombosis (DVT; a blood clot in the major arteries, particularly the leg) or pulmonary embolism (PE; blood clot in the lung), and to prevent these clots from happening again. It is also used to prevent stroke or blood clots for people with atrial fibrillation.
This medication may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of this medication may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.
Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.
Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.
What form(s) does this medication come in?
15 mg
Each orange, round, film-coated tablet debossed with "DSC L15" contains 20.2 mg of edoxaban tosylate monohydrate equivalent to 15 mg of edoxaban. Nonmedicinal ingredients: carnauba wax, crospovidone, hydroxypropyl cellulose, magnesium stearate, mannitol, pregelatinized starch, talc, iron oxide yellow, iron oxide red, polyethylene glycol 8000, talc, and titanium dioxide.
30 mg
Each pink, round, film-coated tablet debossed with "DSC L30" contains 40.41 mg of edoxaban tosylate monohydrate equivalent to 30 mg of edoxaban. Nonmedicinal ingredients: carnauba wax, crospovidone, hydroxypropyl cellulose, magnesium stearate, mannitol, pregelatinized starch, talc. Nonmedicinal ingredients: carnauba wax, crospovidone, hydroxypropyl cellulose, magnesium stearate, mannitol, pregelatinized starch, talc, iron oxide red, polyethylene glycol 8000, talc, and titanium dioxide.
60 mg
Each yellow, round, film-coated tablet debossed with "DSC L60" contains 80.82 mg of edoxaban tosylate monohydrate equivalent to 60 mg of edoxaban. Nonmedicinal ingredients: carnauba wax, crospovidone, hydroxypropyl cellulose, magnesium stearate, mannitol, pregelatinized starch, talc, iron oxide yellow, polyethylene glycol 8000, talc, and titanium dioxide.
How should I use this medication?
To prevent a first stroke for people with atrial fibrillation, the recommended dose is 60 mg taken by mouth, once daily.
To treat and prevent recurring DVT and PE, the recommended dose is 60 mg taken by mouth, once daily. This should be started after 5 to 10 days of heparin given intravenously (through a vein).
Edoxaban may be taken with food or on an empty stomach.
Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.
It is important to take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
Store this medication at room temperature, protect it from moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.
Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.
Who should NOT take this medication?
Do not take this medication if you:
- are allergic to edoxaban or any ingredients of the medication
- are currently experiencing severe or dangerous bleeding
- are taking any other medication to reduce the risk of clotting (i.e., blood "thinners"), such as:
- apixaban
- dabigatran
- heparin
- low-molecular-weight heparin (e.g., tinzaparin, enoxaparin)
- warfarin
- have a condition that increases the risk of experiencing severe or dangerous bleeding, such as a stomach ulcer or recent stroke
- have liver disease that also affects your clotting ability
- are or may become pregnant
- are breast-feeding
What side effects are possible with this medication?
Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.
The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.
The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.
Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.
- abdominal pain
- dizziness
- headache
- increased menstrual bleeding
- itchy skin
- rash
Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
- stiff, sore, hot, or painful joints
- sudden pain or swelling in muscles
- signs of anemia (low red blood cells; e.g., dizziness, pale skin, unusual tiredness or weakness, shortness of breath)
- signs of clotting problems (e.g., unusual nosebleeds, bruising, blood in urine, coughing blood, bleeding gums, cuts that don't stop bleeding)
Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:
- signs of bleeding in the stomach (e.g., bloody, black, or tarry stools; spitting up of blood; vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds)
- signs of stroke (e.g., sudden or severe headache; sudden loss of coordination; vision changes; sudden slurring of speech; or unexplained weakness, numbness, or pain in arm or leg)
- signs of a serious allergic reaction (e.g., abdominal cramps, difficulty breathing, nausea and vomiting, or swelling of the face and throat)
- signs of severe skin reactions (e.g., blistering, peeling, a rash covering a large area of the body, a rash that spreads quickly, or a rash combined with fever or discomfort)
Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication.
Are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication?
Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use this medication.
Bleeding: This medication is intended to decrease dangerous clotting, but it can contribute to serious and possibly deadly bleeding. If you experience an increase in bruising, difficulty stopping bleeding from cuts, or increased nosebleeds, contact your doctor as soon as possible. If you experience symptoms of bleeding from the stomach, such as vomiting material that looks like coffee grounds, passing blood in the stool, or coughing up blood, seek immediate medical attention.
Kidney function: Decreased kidney function or kidney disease can cause this medication to build up in the body, increasing the risk of side effects. If you have reduced kidney function or kidney disease, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Liver function: The safety and effectiveness of using this medication if you have severely reduced liver function has not been determined. If you have reduced liver function or liver disease, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed. This medication is not recommended for people with severe liver dysfunction.
Spinal or epidural catheters: This medication should not be taken by people who have spinal or epidural catheters in place (or for 5 hours after their removal) or by people receiving pain medications through an epidural catheter.
Stopping the medication: If you need to discontinue edoxaban, talk to your doctor. If the edoxaban is stopped too early, there is an increased risk of experiencing a dangerous blood clot.
Surgery: If you are going to have surgery or a dental procedure, let your doctors know that you are taking edoxaban. Depending on the type of surgery, your doctor may stop this medication to reduce the risk of increased bleeding during surgery and delayed healing afterward.
Pregnancy: This medication should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.
Breast-feeding: It is not known if edoxaban passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking this medication, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.
Children: The safety and effectiveness of using this medication have not been established for children.
What other drugs could interact with this medication?
There may be an interaction between edoxaban and any of the following:
- abiraterone
- acetylsalicylic acid (ASA)
- amiodarone
- apixaban
- atorvastatin
- "azole" antifungals (e.g., itraconazole, ketoconazole, voriconazole)
- carbamazepine
- carvedilol
- celecoxib
- clopidogrel
- cobicistat
- cyclosporine
- dabigatran
- deferasirox
- defibrotide
- dronedarone
- grapefruit juice
- heparin
- herbal products that affect blood clotting (e.g., cat's claw, chamomile, fenugreek, evening primrose, feverfew, garlic, ginger, ginseng, turmeric)
- HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., (e.g., atazanavir, indinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir)
- icosapent ethyl
- low-molecular-weight heparins (e.g., dalteparin, enoxaparin, tinzaparin)
- lumacaftor and ivacaftor
- macrolide antibiotics (e.g., azithromycin, clarithromycin, erythromycin)
- mifepristone
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs; e.g., diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen)
- obinutuzumab
- omega-3 fatty acids
- prasugrel
- prazosin
- progestins (e.g., dienogest, levonorgestrel, medroxyprogesterone, norethindrone)
- protein kinase inhibitors (e.g., acalabrutinib, crizotinib, dasatinib, ibrutinib, nilotinib, sunitinib)
- quinidine
- quinine
- rifampin
- rivaroxaban
- St. John's wort
- selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs; e.g., citalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline)
- serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs; desvenlafaxine, duloxetine, venlafaxine)
- tacrolimus
- ticagrelor
- verapamil
- vinblastine
- vitamin E
- warfarin
If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:
- stop taking one of the medications,
- change one of the medications to another,
- change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
- leave everything as is.
An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.
Medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/drug/getdrug/Lixiana