Eliquis 5 mg film-coated tablets

Each film-coated tablet contains 5 mg apixaban.

Excipients with known effect

Each 5 mg film-coated tablet contains 102.86 mg lactose (see section 4.4).

For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1.

Film-coated tablet (tablet)

Pink, oval tablets debossed with 894 on one side and 5 on the other side.

 

Prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in adult patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF), with one or more risk factors, such as prior stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA); age≥ 75 years; hypertension; diabetes mellitus; symptomatic heart failure (NYHA Class ≥ II).

Treatment of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), and prevention of recurrent DVT and PE in adults (see section 4.4 for haemodynamically unstable PE patients).

Posology

Prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF)

The recommended dose of apixaban is 5 mg taken orally twice daily.

Dose reduction

The recommended dose of apixaban is 2.5 mg taken orally twice daily in patients with NVAF and at least two of the following characteristics: age ≥ 80 years, body weight ≤ 60 kg, or serum creatinine ≥ 1.5 mg/dL (133 micromole/L).

Therapy should be continued long-term.

Treatment of DVT, treatment of PE and prevention of recurrent DVT and PE (VTEt)

The recommended dose of apixaban for the treatment of acute DVT and treatment of PE is 10 mg taken orally twice daily for the first 7 days followed by 5 mg taken orally twice daily. As per available medical guidelines, short duration of treatment (at least 3 months) should be based on transient risk factors (e.g., recent surgery, trauma, immobilisation).

The recommended dose of apixaban for the prevention of recurrent DVT and PE is 2.5 mg taken orally twice daily. When prevention of recurrent DVT and PE is indicated, the 2.5 mg twice daily dose should be initiated following completion of 6 months of treatment with apixaban 5 mg twice daily or with another anticoagulant, as indicated in Table 1 below (see also section 5.1)

Table 1:

The duration of overall therapy should be individualised after careful assessment of the treatment benefit against the risk for bleeding (see section 4.4).

Missed dose

If a dose is missed, the patient should take Eliquis immediately and then continue with twice daily intake as before.

Switching

Switching treatment from parenteral anticoagulants to Eliquis (and vice versa) can be done at the next scheduled dose (see section 4.5). These medicinal products should not be administered simultaneously.

Switching from vitamin K antagonist (VKA) therapy to Eliquis

When converting patients from vitamin K antagonist (VKA) therapy to Eliquis, warfarin or other VKA therapy should be discontinued and Eliquis started when the international normalised ratio (INR) is < 2.

Switching from Eliquis to VKA therapy

When converting patients from Eliquis to VKA therapy, administration of Eliquis should be continued for at least 2 days after beginning VKA therapy. After 2 days of coadministration of Eliquis with VKA therapy, an INR should be obtained prior to the next scheduled dose of Eliquis. Coadministration of Eliquis and VKA therapy should be continued until the INR is ≥ 2.

Renal impairment

In patients with mild or moderate renal impairment, the following recommendations apply:

- for the treatment of DVT, treatment of PE and prevention of recurrent DVT and PE (VTEt), no dose adjustment is necessary (see section 5.2).

- for the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with NVAF and serum creatinine ≥1.5 mg/dL (133 micromole/L) associated with age ≥80 years or body weight ≤60 kg, a dose reduction is necessary and described above. In the absence of other criteria for dose reduction (age, body weight), no dose adjustment is necessary (see section 5.2).

In patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance 15-29 mL/min) the following recommendations apply (see sections 4.4 and 5.2):

- for the treatment of DVT, treatment of PE and prevention of recurrent DVT and PE (VTEt) apixaban is to be used with caution;

- for the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with NVAF, patients should receive the lower dose of apixaban 2.5 mg twice daily.

In patients with creatinine clearance < 15 mL/min, or in patients undergoing dialysis, there is no clinical experience therefore apixaban is not recommended (see sections 4.4 and 5.2).

Hepatic impairment

Eliquis is contraindicated in patients with hepatic disease associated with coagulopathy and clinically relevant bleeding risk (see section 4.3).

It is not recommended in patients with severe hepatic impairment (see sections 4.4. and 5.2).

It should be used with caution in patients with mild or moderate hepatic impairment (Child Pugh A or B). No dose adjustment is required in patients with mild or moderate hepatic impairment (see sections 4.4 and 5.2).

Patients with elevated liver enzymes alanine aminotransferase (ALT)/aspartate aminotransferase (AST) >2 x ULN or total bilirubin ≥ 1.5 x ULN were excluded in clinical trials. Therefore Eliquis should be used with caution in this population (see sections 4.4 and 5.2). Prior to initiating Eliquis, liver function testing should be performed.

Body weight

VTEt - No dose adjustment required (see sections 4.4 and 5.2).

NVAF - No dose adjustment required, unless criteria for dose reduction are met (see Dose reduction at the beginning of section 4.2).

Gender

No dose adjustment required (see section 5.2).

Elderly

VTEt - No dose adjustment required (see sections 4.4 and 5.2).

NVAF - No dose adjustment required, unless criteria for dose reduction are met (see Dose reduction at the beginning of section 4.2).

Cardioversion (NVAF)

Patients can stay on apixaban while being cardioverted.

Paediatric population

The safety and efficacy of Eliquis in children and adolescents below age 18 have not been established. No data are available.

Method of administration

Oral use

Eliquis should be swallowed with water, with or without food.

For patients who are unable to swallow whole tablets, Eliquis tablets may be crushed and suspended in water, or 5% dextrose in water (D5W), or apple juice or mixed with apple puree and immediately administered orally (see section 5.2). Alternatively, Eliquis tablets may be crushed and suspended in 60 mL of water or D5W and immediately delivered through a nasogastric tube (see section 5.2).

Crushed Eliquis tablets are stable in water, D5W, apple juice, and apple puree for up to 4 hours.

• Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.

• Active clinically significant bleeding.

• Hepatic disease associated with coagulopathy and clinically relevant bleeding risk (see section 5.2).

• Lesion or condition if considered a significant risk factor for major bleeding. This may include current or recent gastrointestinal ulceration, presence of malignant neoplasms at high risk of bleeding, recent brain or spinal injury, recent brain, spinal or ophthalmic surgery, recent intracranial haemorrhage, known or suspected oesophageal varices, arteriovenous malformations, vascular aneurysms or major intraspinal or intracerebral vascular abnormalities.

• Concomitant treatment with any other anticoagulant agent e.g., unfractionated heparin (UFH), low molecular weight heparins (enoxaparin, dalteparin, etc.), heparin derivatives (fondaparinux, etc.), oral anticoagulants (warfarin, rivaroxaban, dabigatran, etc.) except under specific circumstances of switching anticoagulant therapy (see section 4.2) or when UFH is given at doses necessary to maintain an open central venous or arterial catheter (see section 4.5).

Haemorrhage risk

As with other anticoagulants, patients taking Eliquis are to be carefully observed for signs of bleeding. It is recommended to be used with caution in conditions with increased risk of haemorrhage. Eliquis administration should be discontinued if severe haemorrhage occurs (see sections 4.8 and 4.9).

Although treatment with apixaban does not require routine monitoring of exposure, a calibrated quantitative anti-Factor Xa assay may be useful in exceptional situations where knowledge of apixaban exposure may help to inform clinical decisions, e.g., overdose and emergency surgery (see section 5.1).

Interaction with other medicinal products affecting haemostasis

Due to an increased bleeding risk, concomitant treatment with any other anticoagulants is contraindicated (see section 4.3).

The concomitant use of Eliquis with antiplatelet agents increases the risk of bleeding (see section 4.5).

Care is to be taken if patients are treated concomitantly with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including acetylsalicylic acid.

Following surgery, other platelet aggregation inhibitors are not recommended concomitantly with Eliquis (see section 4.5).

In patients with atrial fibrillation and conditions that warrant mono or dual antiplatelet therapy, a careful assessment of the potential benefits against the potential risks should be made before combining this therapy with Eliquis.

In a clinical trial of patients with atrial fibrillation, concomitant use of ASA increased the major bleeding risk on apixaban from 1.8% per year to 3.4% per year and increased the bleeding risk on warfarin from 2.7% per year to 4.6% per year. In this clinical trial, there was limited (2.1%) use of concomitant dual antiplatelet therapy.

In a clinical trial of high-risk post acute coronary syndrome patients, characterised by multiple cardiac and non-cardiac comorbidities, who received ASA or the combination of ASA and clopidogrel, a significant increase in risk of ISTH (International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis) major bleeding was reported for apixaban (5.13% per year) compared to placebo (2.04% per year).

Use of thrombolytic agents for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke

There is very limited experience with the use of thrombolytic agents for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke in patients administered apixaban.

Patients with prosthetic heart valves

Safety and efficacy of Eliquis have not been studied in patients with prosthetic heart valves, with or without atrial fibrillation. Therefore, the use of Eliquis is not recommended in this setting.

Surgery and invasive procedures

Eliquis should be discontinued at least 48 hours prior to elective surgery or invasive procedures with a moderate or high risk of bleeding. This includes interventions for which the probability of clinically significant bleeding cannot be excluded or for which the risk of bleeding would be unacceptable.

Eliquis should be discontinued at least 24 hours prior to elective surgery or invasive procedures with a low risk of bleeding. This includes interventions for which any bleeding that occurs is expected to be minimal, non-critical in its location or easily controlled.

If surgery or invasive procedures cannot be delayed, appropriate caution should be exercised, taking into consideration an increased risk of bleeding. This risk of bleeding should be weighed against the urgency of intervention.

Eliquis should be restarted after the invasive procedure or surgical intervention as soon as possible provided the clinical situation allows and adequate haemostasis has been established (for cardioversion see section 4.2).

Temporary discontinuation

Discontinuing anticoagulants, including Eliquis, for active bleeding, elective surgery, or invasive procedures places patients at an increased risk of thrombosis. Lapses in therapy should be avoided and if anticoagulation with Eliquis must be temporarily discontinued for any reason, therapy should be restarted as soon as possible.

Haemodynamically unstable PE patients or patients who require thrombolysis or pulmonary embolectomy

Eliquis is not recommended as an alternative to unfractionated heparin in patients with pulmonary embolism who are haemodynamically unstable or may receive thrombolysis or pulmonary embolectomy since the safety and efficacy of apixaban have not been established in these clinical situations.

Patients with active cancer

Efficacy and safety of apixaban in the treatment of DVT, treatment of PE and prevention of recurrent DVT and PE (VTEt) in patients with active cancer have not been established.

Patients with renal impairment

Limited clinical data indicate that apixaban plasma concentrations are increased in patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance 15-29 mL/min) which may lead to an increased bleeding risk. For the treatment of DVT, treatment of PE and prevention of recurrent DVT and PE (VTEt), apixaban is to be used with caution in patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance 15-29 mL/min) (see sections 4.2 and 5.2).

For the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with NVAF, patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance 15-29 mL/min), and patients with serum creatinine ≥ 1.5 mg/dL (133 micromole/L) associated with age ≥ 80 years or body weight ≤ 60 kg should receive the lower dose of apixaban 2.5 mg twice daily (see section 4.2);

In patients with creatinine clearance < 15 mL/min, or in patients undergoing dialysis, there is no clinical experience therefore apixaban is not recommended (see sections 4.2 and 5.2).

Elderly patients

Increasing age may increase haemorrhagic risk (see section 5.2).

Also, the co-administration of Eliquis with ASA in elderly patients should be used cautiously because of a potentially higher bleeding risk.

Body weight

Low body weight (< 60 kg) may increase haemorrhagic risk (see section 5.2).

Patients with hepatic impairment

Eliquis is contraindicated in patients with hepatic disease associated with coagulopathy and clinically relevant bleeding risk (see section 4.3).

It is not recommended in patients with severe hepatic impairment (see section 5.2).

It should be used with caution in patients with mild or moderate hepatic impairment (Child Pugh A or B) (see sections 4.2 and 5.2).

Patients with elevated liver enzymes ALT/AST > 2 x ULN or total bilirubin ≥ 1.5 x ULN were excluded in clinical trials. Therefore Eliquis should be used cautiously in this population (see section 5.2). Prior to initiating Eliquis, liver function testing should be performed.

Interaction with inhibitors of both cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) and P-glycoprotein (P-gp)

The use of Eliquis is not recommended in patients receiving concomitant systemic treatment with strong inhibitors of both CYP3A4 and P-gp, such as azole-antimycotics (e.g., ketoconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole and posaconazole) and HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., ritonavir). These medicinal products may increase apixaban exposure by 2-fold (see section 4.5) or greater in the presence of additional factors that increase apixaban exposure (e.g., severe renal impairment).

Interaction with inducers of both CYP3A4 and P-gp

The concomitant use of Eliquis with strong CYP3A4 and P-gp inducers (e.g., rifampicin, phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital or St. John's Wort) may lead to a ~50% reduction in apixaban exposure. In a clinical study in atrial fibrillation patients, diminished efficacy and a higher risk of bleeding were observed with coadministration of apixaban with strong inducers of both CYP3A4 and P-gp compared with using apixaban alone.

In patients receiving concomitant systemic treatment with strong inducers of both CYP3A4 and P-gp the following recommendations apply (see section 4.5):

- for the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with NVAF and for the prevention of recurrent DVT and PE, apixaban should be used with caution;

- for the treatment of DVT and treatment of PE, apixaban should not be used since efficacy may be compromised.

Laboratory parameters

Clotting tests [e.g., prothrombin time (PT), INR, and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)] are affected as expected by the mechanism of action of apixaban. Changes observed in these clotting tests at the expected therapeutic dose are small and subject to a high degree of variability (see section 5.1).

Information about excipients

Eliquis contains lactose. Patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, the Lapp lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption should not take this medicinal product.

Inhibitors of CYP3A4 and P-gp

Coadministration of apixaban with ketoconazole (400 mg once a day), a strong inhibitor of both CYP3A4 and P-gp, led to a 2-fold increase in mean apixaban AUC and a 1.6-fold increase in mean apixaban C_max.

The use of Eliquis is not recommended in patients receiving concomitant systemic treatment with strong inhibitors of both CYP3A4 and P-gp, such as azole-antimycotics (e.g., ketoconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole and posaconazole) and HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., ritonavir) (see section 4.4).

Active substances which are not considered strong inhibitors of both CYP3A4 and P-gp, (e.g., diltiazem, naproxen, clarithromycin, amiodarone, verapamil, quinidine) are expected to increase apixaban plasma concentration to a lesser extent. No dose adjustment for apixaban is required when coadministered with agents that are not strong inhibitors of both CYP3A4 and P-gp. For example, diltiazem (360 mg once a day), considered a moderate CYP3A4 and a weak P-gp inhibitor, led to a 1.4-fold increase in mean apixaban AUC and a 1.3-fold increase in C_max. Naproxen (500 mg, single dose) an inhibitor of P-gp but not an inhibitor of CYP3A4, led to a 1.5-fold and 1.6-fold increase in mean apixaban AUC and C_max, respectively. Clarithromycin (500 mg, twice a day), an inhibitor of P-gp and a strong inhibitor of CYP3A4, led to a 1.6-fold and 1.3-fold increase in mean apixaban AUC and C_max respectively.

Inducers of CYP3A4 and P-gp

Coadministration of apixaban with rifampicin, a strong inducer of both CYP3A4 and P-gp, led to an approximate 54% and 42% decrease in mean apixaban AUC and C_max, respectively. The concomitant use of apixaban with other strong CYP3A4 and P-gp inducers (e.g., phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital or St. John's Wort) may also lead to reduced apixaban plasma concentrations. No dose adjustment for apixaban is required during concomitant therapy with such medicinal products, however in patients receiving concomitant systemic treatment with strong inducers of both CYP3A4 and P-gp apixaban should be used with caution for the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with NVAF and for the prevention of recurrent DVT and PE. Apixaban is not recommended for the treatment of DVT and PE in patients receiving concomitant systemic treatment with strong inducers of both CYP3A4 and P-gp since efficacy may be compromised (see section 4.4).

Anticoagulants, platelet aggregation inhibitors and NSAIDs

Due to an increased bleeding risk, concomitant treatment with any other anticoagulants is contraindicated (see section 4.3).

After combined administration of enoxaparin (40 mg single dose) with apixaban (5 mg single dose), an additive effect on anti-Factor Xa activity was observed.

Pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic interactions were not evident when apixaban was coadministered with ASA 325 mg once a day.

Apixaban coadministered with clopidogrel (75 mg once a day) or with the combination of clopidogrel 75 mg and ASA 162 mg once daily, or with prasugrel (60 mg followed by 10 mg once daily) in Phase I studies did not show a relevant increase in template bleeding time, or further inhibition of platelet aggregation, compared to administration of the antiplatelet agents without apixaban. Increases in clotting tests (PT, INR, and aPTT) were consistent with the effects of apixaban alone.

Naproxen (500 mg), an inhibitor of P-gp, led to a 1.5-fold and 1.6-fold increase in mean apixaban AUC and C_max, respectively. Corresponding increases in clotting tests were observed for apixaban. No changes were observed in the effect of naproxen on arachidonic acid-induced platelet aggregation and no clinically relevant prolongation of bleeding time was observed after concomitant administration of apixaban and naproxen.

Despite these findings, there may be individuals with a more pronounced pharmacodynamic response when antiplatelet agents are coadministered with apixaban. Eliquis should be used with caution when coadministered with NSAIDs (including acetylsalicylic acid) because these medicinal products typically increase the bleeding risk. A significant increase in bleeding risk was reported with the triple combination of apixaban, ASA and clopidogrel in a clinical study in patients with acute coronary syndrome (see section 4.4).

Medicinal products associated with serious bleeding are not recommended concomitantly with Eliquis, such as: thrombolytic agents, GPIIb/IIIa receptor antagonists, thienopyridines (e.g., clopidogrel), dipyridamole, dextran and sulfinpyrazone.

Other concomitant therapies

No clinically significant pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic interactions were observed when apixaban was coadministered with atenolol or famotidine. Coadministration of apixaban 10 mg with atenolol 100 mg did not have a clinically relevant effect on the pharmacokinetics of apixaban. Following administration of the two medicinal products together, mean apixaban AUC and C_max were 15% and 18% lower than when administered alone. The administration of apixaban 10 mg with famotidine 40 mg had no effect on apixaban AUC or C_max.

Effect of apixaban on other medicinal products

In vitro apixaban studies showed no inhibitory effect on the activity of CYP1A2, CYP2A6, CYP2B6, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2D6 or CYP3A4 (IC50 > 45 µM) and weak inhibitory effect on the activity of CYP2C19 (IC50 > 20 µM) at concentrations that are significantly greater than peak plasma concentrations observed in patients. Apixaban did not induce CYP1A2, CYP2B6, CYP3A4/5 at a concentration up to 20 µM. Therefore, apixaban is not expected to alter the metabolic clearance of coadministered drugs that are metabolised by these enzymes. Apixaban is not a significant inhibitor of P-gp.

In studies conducted in healthy subjects, as described below, apixaban did not meaningfully alter the pharmacokinetics of digoxin, naproxen, or atenolol.

Digoxin

Coadministration of apixaban (20 mg once a day) and digoxin (0.25 mg once a day), a P-gp substrate, did not affect digoxin AUC or C_max. Therefore, apixaban does not inhibit P-gp mediated substrate transport.

Naproxen

Coadministration of single doses of apixaban (10 mg) and naproxen (500 mg), a commonly used NSAID, did not have any effect on the naproxen AUC or C_max.

Atenolol

Coadministration of a single dose of apixaban (10 mg) and atenolol (100 mg), a common beta-blocker, did not alter the pharmacokinetics of atenolol.

Activated charcoal

Administration of activated charcoal reduces apixaban exposure (see section 4.9).

Pregnancy

There are no data from the use of apixaban in pregnant women. Animal studies do not indicate direct or indirect harmful effects with respect to reproductive toxicity. Apixaban is not recommended during pregnancy.

Breast-feeding

It is unknown whether apixaban or its metabolites are excreted in human milk. Available data in animals have shown excretion of apixaban in milk. In rat milk, a high milk to maternal plasma ratio (C_max about 8, AUC about 30) was found, possibly due to active transport into the milk. A risk to newborns and infants cannot be excluded.

A decision must be made to either discontinue breast-feeding or to discontinue/abstain from apixaban therapy.

Fertility

Studies in animals dosed with apixaban have shown no effect on fertility (see section 5.3).

Eliquis has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines.

Summary of the safety profile

The safety of apixaban has been investigated in 4 Phase III clinical studies including more than 15,000 patients: more than 11,000 patients in NVAF studies and more than 4,000 patients in the VTE treatment (VTEt) studies, for an average total exposure of 1.7 years and 221 days respectively (see section 5.1).

Common adverse reactions were haemorrhage, contusion, epistaxis, and haematoma (see Table 2 for adverse reaction profile and frequencies by indication).

In the NVAF studies, the overall incidence of adverse reactions related to bleeding with apixaban was 24.3% in the apixaban vs warfarin study and 9.6% in the apixaban vs acetylsalicylic acid study. In the apixaban vs warfarin study the incidence of ISTH major gastrointestinal bleeds (including upper GI, lower GI, and rectal bleeding) with apixaban was 0.76%/year. The incidence of ISTH major intraocular bleeding with apixaban was 0.18%/year.

In the VTEt studies, the overall incidence of adverse reactions related to bleeding with apixaban was 15.6% in the apixaban vs enoxaparin/warfarin study and 13.3% in the apixaban vs placebo study (see section 5.1).

Tabulated list of adverse reactions

Table 2 shows the adverse reactions ranked under headings of system organ class and frequency using the following convention: very common (≥ 1/10) common (≥ 1/100 to < 1/10); uncommon (≥ 1/1,000 to < 1/100); rare (≥ 1/10,000 to < 1/1,000); very rare (< 1/10,000); not known (cannot be estimated from the available data) for NVAF and VTEt respectively.

Table 2

* There were no occurrences of generalized pruritus in CV185057 (long term prevention of VTE)

The use of Eliquis may be associated with an increased risk of occult or overt bleeding from any tissue or organ, which may result in posthaemorrhagic anaemia. The signs, symptoms, and severity will vary according to the location and degree or extent of the bleeding (see sections 4.4 and 5.1).

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.