Description
Administration
– Administer without regard to meals.
– After hip/knee replacement, initial dose should be administered 12 to 24 hours postoperatively.
– If patient unable to swallow whole tablets, may crush 5 mg or 2.5 mg tablets and suspend in 60 mL of water, D5W, or apple juice or mix with applesauce; administer immediately.
– For delivery through a nasogastric tube, crushed tablets may be suspended in 60 mL of water or D5W followed by immediate delivery. Crushed tablets are stable in water, D5W, apple juice, and applesauce for up to 4 hours.
Storage
– Store at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F)
– Excursions are permitted between 15°C and 30°C (59°F and 86°F)
Monitoring
– Renal function and CBC prior to initiation, when clinically indicated, and at least annually in all patients
– Hepatic function
– Signs of bleeding
– Routine monitoring of coagulation tests is not required.
– When converting from apixaban to a vitamin K antagonist (VKA), it has been recommended to perform INR testing just prior to each dose of apixaban beginning on day 3 of concurrent therapy with the VKA
