Apixaban
Eliquis
5 polar contacts with 3 residues, each within 3.5 Å
Blocks a key clotting protein in the blood so clots are less likely to form.
How it works
Apixaban blocks a clotting factor called Factor Xa, which the body needs to trigger blood clot formation. With Factor Xa switched off, the body can't make as much of the substance (thrombin) that turns liquid blood into a solid clot. This means fewer blood clots form, without the drug directly interfering with the platelets that are the first responders in clotting. The result is a lower risk of dangerous clots forming in the blood vessels, heart, or lungs, while the body still retains some ability to stop bleeding when actually injured.
What it’s used for
Used to lower the risk of stroke in people with a common heart rhythm problem called atrial fibrillation, to prevent dangerous blood clots after hip or knee replacement surgery, to treat existing blood clots in the legs (DVT) or lungs (PE), and to help stop those clots from coming back after initial treatment.
- Mechanism
- Factor Xa inhibitor
- Drug class
- Small molecule
- Therapeutic area
- Anticoagulant
- Structure shown
- X-ray, 2007