Jantoven and Eliquis are brand names for blood-thinning medicines used to slow the formation of blood clots, helping to prevent valve obstruction and blood clots that travel to the brain and cause stroke. Here we will explain how they work, their similarities and differences, their side effects, and more. This should provide you with the basics to better understand your options.
What is Jantoven?
Jantoven is an FDA-approved (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) medication manufactured by Upsher-Smith. It is an anticoagulant used to reduce the formation of blood clots in veins or arteries, reducing the risk of stroke, heart attack, or other life-threatening conditions. Jantoven contains warfarin, a vitamin K antagonist as the active ingredient. Warfarin inhibits the release of plasma clotting factors by vitamin K.
Jantoven dosage
Jantoven is available in tablet form, in the following doses: 1 mg.
You should take Jantoven at the same time each day, with or without food. Do not take extra doses. You will need regular “INR” (international normalized ratio) or prothrombin time blood tests, to measure your blood-clotting time to decide your Jantoven dose.
What is Eliquis?
Eliquis is an FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) approved medication manufactured by Bristol-Myers Squibb and Pfizer. Eliquis is a novel oral anticoagulant (NOAC), a group of newer blood thinners known as direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC). This medication is used to prevent blood clots from forming in people who have:
- Nonvalvular atrial fibrillation/AFIB (irregular heart rhythm) and who have other clotting risk factors
- Had hip or knee replacement surgery
It’s also used to treat blood clots in the legs (deep vein thrombosis) and lungs (pulmonary embolism), and to prevent blood clots from reoccurring in these places.
The active ingredient in Eliquis is called apixaban, a factor Xa inhibitor. It has no direct effect on platelet aggregation, but indirectly inhibits platelet aggregation induced by thrombin. By inhibiting FXa apixaban decreases thrombin generation and the development of clots.
Eliquis dosage
Eliquis is available in tablet form, in the following doses: 2.5 mg and 5 mg.
After hip or knee replacement surgery, you have a higher risk of getting a DVT or PE. You’ll start taking Eliquis 12 to 24 hours after your surgery to prevent this. Your healthcare professional will check to make sure the bleeding from your surgery has stopped before you take your first dose of the drug.
The recommended dose of Eliquis is 5 mg orally twice daily. For patients 80 years of age or older, weighing 60 kg or less, or having serum creatinine equal to or above 1.5 mg/dL, the recommended dose is 2.5 mg orally twice daily. Always speak with a healthcare professional about any changes to your dose so they can monitor and evaluate your condition.
Common side effects of Jantoven and Eliquis
The most common side effects of Jantoven in clinical trials include:
More serious side effects of Jantoven include:
- An allergic reaction – hives, trouble breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Increased bleeding risk, which can be severe or life-threatening. Symptoms include sudden headache, feeling dizzy, swelling, pain, unusual bruising, bleeding gums, nosebleeds
- Heavy menstrual periods or unusual vaginal bleeding
- Blood in your urine
- Bloody or tarry stools
The most common side effects of Eliquis in clinical trials include:
- Anemia
- Increased bruising
- Blood in your urine and feces
- Bleeding from your orifices, like your anus or vagina
More serious side effects of Eliquis include
- The potential risk of cardiovascular events such as myocardial infarction or stroke
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
- Black or bloody stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds
These aren’t all the side effects Jantoven or Eliquis can cause. You can find more details in the patient leaflet that comes with your medication. If you have any concerns about side effects, talk to your physician or pharmacist.
Jantoven and Eliquis drug interactions
Jantoven can interact with other medications. These include:
- Other medicines used to prevent blood clots
- Antibiotics
- Antifungals
- Supplements containing vitamin K
- Herbal products – cranberry, echinacea, garlic, ginseng, or St. John’s wort
Eliquis can interact with other medications. These include:
- Antifungals
- Other antiplatelets
- Antiviral medicines for HIV/AIDS
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or naproxen
- Medicines for high blood pressure or heart problems such as arrhythmias
- Antithrombotics
- Vitamin K antagonists
- Antidepressants
- Medicines to prevent epilepsy or seizures
- Medicines to treat tuberculosis
- St John’s Wort
Jantoven and Eliquis can interact with other medications. This can change how Jantoven and Eliquis and other medications work and can make side effects more likely. Tell your prescribing physician about all your drugs, including vitamins and dietary supplements.
Jantoven and Eliquis contraindications
You should not use Jantoven if you:
- Are allergic to the active ingredient warfarin
- Are allergic to any of the other ingredients in Jantoven
- Have very high blood pressure
- Have recently had or will have surgery on your brain, spine, or eye
- Have a spinal tap or spinal anesthesia (epidural)
- Are prone to bleeding because of a medical condition
- Are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant
Talk to your doctor before using Jantoven if you:
- Are taking any of the medications that could interact with Jantoven
- Have high blood pressure or serious heart disease
- Have cancer or low blood cell counts
- Have an accident or surgery;
- Have had a stroke
- Are 65 or older
- Have diabetes
- Have congestive heart failure
- Have liver disease, kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis)
- Have low blood platelets after receiving heparin
- Are breastfeeding or are planning to breastfeed – It is not known whether warfarin passes into breast milk
You should not use Eliquis if you:
- Are allergic to the active ingredient apixaban
- Are allergic to any of the other ingredients found in Eliquis (listed in the leaflet which comes with the medication)
- Have artificial heart valves
- Have antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), especially with positive triple antibody testing, and have a history of blood clots
- Are under 18 years of age
- Are bleeding excessively
- Have an organ condition that increases the likelihood of serious internal bleeding, like a stomach ulcer
Talk to your doctor before using Eliquis if you:
- Have an increased risk of bleeding, such as a bleeding disorder or very high blood pressure
- Are over 75 years of age
- Weigh 60 kg or less
- Have severe renal impairment or are on dialysis
- Have a liver problem or a history of liver problems
- Had a catheter or an injection into your spine
- Have antiphospholipid syndrome
- Are lactose intolerant
- Need to have surgery or another procedure that can cause bleeding
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding
Other drugs to prevent blood clotting
If you have any concerns about Jantoven or Eliquis side effects, talk to your physician, or pharmacist for medical advice. Also inform your healthcare provider about any medical conditions, supplements, and over-the-counter meds you are taking. You are also encouraged to report side effects to the FDA: visit http://www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
