Edoxaban is a highly selective, direct, and reversible inhibitor of FXa, the serine protease found in the last common pathway of the coagulation cascade. Edoxaban inhibits free FXa and prothrombinase activity. Inhibition of FXa in the coagulation cascade reduces thrombin production, prolongs clotting time, and reduces the risk of thrombus formation.
Always use this Cardiovascular medication exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. If in doubt, consult your doctor or pharmacist again.
The recommended dose is one 60 mg tablet once a day.
if you have kidney failure, your doctor may reduce the dose to one 30 mg tablet once a day; if you weigh 60 kg or less, the recommended dose is one 30 mg tablet once a day;
If your doctor has prescribed medicines known as P-GP inhibitors: cyclosporine, dronedarone, erythromycin, or ketoconazole, the recommended dose is one 30 mg tablet once a day.
How to take the tablet
Swallow the tablet, preferably with water. Lixiana can be taken with or without food.
Like all medicines, these CV Antiplatelet Tablets can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Like other similar medicines (medicines to reduce blood clotting), Lixiana can cause bleeding, which can be life-threatening. In some cases, the bleeding may not be evident.
If you experience a bleeding episode that does not stop on its own or if you experience signs of excessive bleeding (exceptional weakness, tiredness, paleness, dizziness, headache, or unexplained swelling), see your doctor immediately.
Your doctor will decide whether to keep you under closer observation or to change your treatment.
A general list of possible side effects:
Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):
- stomach ache;
- abnormal results in liver values in blood tests;
- bleeding from the skin or under the skin;
- anemia (low levels of red blood cells);
- nasal bleeding;
- vaginal bleeding;
- acne;
- bowel bleeding;
- bleeding from the mouth and / or throat;
- blood in the urine;
- bleeding after injury (puncture);
- stomach bleeding;
- dizziness
- headache;
- Itchiness
Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):
- bleeding in the eyes;
- bleeding from a surgical wound after an operation;
- blood in saliva when coughing;
- bleeding in the brain;
- decreased number of platelets in the blood (which can affect clotting);
- allergic reaction;
- urticaria
Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people):
- bleeding in the muscles;
- joint bleeding;
- bleeding in the abdomen;
- bleeding in the heart;
- bleeding inside the skull;
- bleeding after surgery;
- allergic shock;
- swelling of any part of the body due to the allergic reaction.
warnings and precautions
Edoxaban 15 mg is not indicated as monotherapy as it may lead to decreased efficacy. It is only indicated in the process of switching from edoxaban 30 mg to AVK, together with an appropriate dose of AVK.
Bleeding risk
Edoxaban increases the risk of bleeding and can cause serious life-threatening bleeding. Like other anticoagulants, edoxaban is recommended to be used with caution in patients with an increased risk of bleeding. Edoxaban administration should be discontinued if severe bleeding occurs.
Mucosal bleeding (eg, epistaxis, gastrointestinal, genitourinary) and anemia were observed more frequently in patients receiving long-term edoxaban compared to those receiving AVK treatment. Therefore, in addition to adequate clinical follow-up, hemoglobin and hematocrit measurements could be useful to detect hidden bleeding when considered appropriate.
Several subgroups of patients, as explained below, are at increased risk of bleeding. These patients should be carefully monitored for signs and symptoms of bleeding complications and anemia after initiation of treatment. Any unexplained decrease in hemoglobin levels or blood pressure will require finding a bleeding area.
