Table of Contents

I. What is a Blood Clot?

II. Where do Blood Clots Occur?

a. Clots in the Legs and Arms

b. Blood Clots in the Lungs

c. Ischemic Stroke in the Brain

III. Eliquis for Blood Clots

IV. Is there a Generic to Eliquis?

What is a Blood Clot?

Preventing a blood clot is an integral part of many medical treatment plans. Blood clots may occur for several reasons, including surgical procedures, obesity, genetic predisposition, smoking, or a sedentary lifestyle. These clots are made of blood platelets that clump together to plug up ruptured blood vessels when an injury occurs. This is a necessary bodily process; otherwise, every cut would bleed profusely.

In some cases, blood clots may break off from the blood vessel and travel through the bloodstream to cause complications. Plaque buildup may also lead to a clot being blocked within arteries. Blood clots are a scary medical condition because they do not often present severe symptoms, so many may not know they are having a clot until it is too late. [1]

Luckily, several medications on the market work to reduce a patient’s risk of blood clots. If you have a history of blood clots or a genetic predisposition, your doctor may start you on a blood thinner medication like generic Eliquis. This medication is used to prevent dangerous clotting events and is frequently prescribed for several conditions. But where do blood clots occur, and how does Eliquis prevent them? Read on to learn more.

Where do Blood Clots Occur?

Blood clots may occur in almost any area of the body. Some areas are more common than others, especially if you are at risk for clot development. The following may increase your chances of developing a blood clot:

• Smoking
• Pregnancy
• Obesity
• High cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Family history of blots
• Diabetes
• Oral contraceptives
• Being over 60 years old

a. Clots in the Legs and Arms

The lower leg is a common area for clots to occur. These clots may be especially dangerous if they are caused by deep vein thrombosis (DVT). A DVT clot forms in the major deep veins of the body, like the arms, pelvis, lungs, or brain. You may be experiencing a DVT if you have the following symptoms in the arm or leg:

• Reddish discoloration in the affected area
• Swelling
• Pain
• Tenderness
• A warm sensation

Symptoms may be hard to identify because smaller clots typically do not have noticeable symptoms. Clots in the leg may lead to intense calf swelling and pain, and you should seek medical help if this occurs. It is unlikely to have clots in the arms and legs at the same time. Clots usually occur in one leg or arm at a time. [1]

b. Blood Clots in the Lungs

A pulmonary embolism occurs when the arteries around the lungs that lead to the heart become blocked. A blood clot from the deep veins of the legs (a DVT) is often the cause of these blockages in the lungs. These clots will travel up through the body to the lungs, where complications can occur. Symptoms of pulmonary embolism vary from person to person, but symptoms usually involve the following:

• A cough that produces bloody mucus
• Chest pain that feels similar to heart attack symptoms
• Sharp pain when you take a deep breath
• Shortness of breath [2]

c. Ischemic Stroke in the Brain

When a blood clot occurs in an artery in the brain, you may experience an ischemic stroke. A clot can block blood flow to the brain, and parts of the brain can begin to die within minutes. This is the most common type of stroke. These strokes may be caused by blood clots from different parts of the body as a result of other medical conditions. Conditions like atrial fibrillation (A-Fib) can cause blood clots in the heart. Fatty deposits in the blood vessels can also cause dangerous blockages. A stroke is a serious medical emergency, and you should call emergency services if you experience the following:

• Numbness in the face, arm, or leg
• Severe headache
• Trouble walking
• Trouble speaking and understanding others [3]

Eliquis for Blood Clots

If you have one blood clot, you are predisposed to have another one. Your doctor will likely create a blood thinner treatment plan to prevent future clots. Blood thinners like Coumadin have been used for decades, but many patients prefer newer medications like Eliquis because they may have fewer side effects and require less frequent testing.

This powerful blood thinner is an anticoagulant that blocks an enzyme in the body known as Factor Xa. Factor Xa is key in the blood clotting process, and if it is blocked, then the likelihood of pulmonary embolism, DVTs, and stroke is reduced. It is essential to take this medication as directed to avoid possible fatal bleeding events.[1]

Is there a Generic to Eliquis?

Many people struggle with their ability to afford their daily medications, and that is where Canada Pharmacy Depot comes in. Because of its popularity, the price of Eliquis in the United States is quite high, but you can save money every month on Eliquis by using an online Canadian pharmacy to buy your blood thinner medications.

Apixaban, the generic version of Eliquis, is now on the market through Canada Pharmacy Depot. The patent of Eliquis has lapsed, so a generic version has recently been released in countries like the United Kingdom and India. This approved version is available through our online pharmacy and is helpful for Americans who cannot yet buy generic Eliquis. Talk to your doctor today if you would like to switch over to generic Eliquis.

The content provided in this article is based on thorough research and in some cases, reviewed by a medical professional. Our goal for the information is to provide helpful, general health informational. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice.