Patient was educated on contraindications for using Apixaban as follows:
- Apixaban should be avoided in individuals with valvular heart disease and with prosthetic heart valves. Use of Apixaban in such individuals carries a significant risk for clot formation and consequent embolism.
- Apixaban should be avoided or used with extreme caution in individuals with history of brain and spinal surgeries, as Apixaban can result in spinal cord blood clot formation, resulting in excruciating pain in the back with numbness and weakness of bilateral lower extremities. In extreme cases, use of Apixaban can also result in permanent paralysis.
- Avoid drinking grapefruit juice, while you are taking Apixaban. Grapefruit juice inhibits the metabolism of Apixaban and this can lead to increased blood levels of Apixaban for longer duration, leading to toxicity and episodes of bleeding.
- Do not consume alcohol, while you are taking Apixaban, as alcohol can increase the effects of blood thinner and consequently, make the blood extra thin, thus resulting episodes of hemorrhage and bleeding.
