Drug interactions
Apixaban + Desirudin
Severity: Major
Apixaban and Desirudin: major interaction.
Last updated Sources: UK SmPC
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Desirudin is a parenteral direct thrombin inhibitor, and apixaban is an oral factor Xa inhibitor. Using them together adds anticoagulant effect and raises the risk of serious bleeding.
What this interaction means in plain words
Apixaban and Desirudin can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.
Why it happens
Additive pharmacodynamic anticoagulation through inhibition of thrombin and factor Xa.
What to do
Avoid concurrent use except for planned transitions between agents, and start the second drug when the first is due to be given again. Monitor for bleeding and check hemoglobin and renal function.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
- Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
- What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Apixaban and Desirudin, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 7 days on the web. No card needed.
References
- Apixaban 1 mg/1 ml Oral suspension - SmPC sections 4.3/4.5 (class statement: any other anticoagulants; "Due to an increased bleeding risk, concomitant treatment with any other anticoagulants is contraindicated except under specific circumstances of switching antic") — electronic medicines compendium (UK SmPC)
Other interactions of Apixaban
- Apixaban + Dabigatran Contraindicated
- Apixaban + Defibrotide Contraindicated
- Apixaban + Edoxaban Contraindicated
- Apixaban + Ketorolac Contraindicated
- Apixaban + Mifepristone Contraindicated
- Abciximab + Apixaban Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Apixaban with Desirudin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Apixaban and Desirudin can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Desirudin is a parenteral direct thrombin inhibitor, and apixaban is an oral factor Xa inhibitor. Using them together adds anticoagulant effect and raises the risk of serious bleeding.
How serious is the interaction between Apixaban and Desirudin?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid concurrent use except for planned transitions between agents, and start the second drug when the first is due to be given again. Monitor for bleeding and check hemoglobin and renal function.
What other medicines interact with Apixaban?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Apixaban with, for example, Dabigatran, Defibrotide, Edoxaban. The full list is on the Apixaban page.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
