If you’re taking apixaban (Eliquis) and planning a trip, you’re not alone. Thousands of people with atrial fibrillation, deep vein thrombosis, or pulmonary embolism travel safely every year while on this blood thinner. But skipping a dose, forgetting your pills, or getting stuck in a delay can turn a vacation into a medical emergency. The good news? With the right prep, you can travel confidently-no matter if you’re flying to Florida, taking a road trip across Canada, or exploring Europe.
Know Your Dose and Schedule
Apixaban is usually taken twice a day, about 12 hours apart. That’s simple at home, but time zones, jet lag, and disrupted routines make it tricky on the road. Missing a dose raises your risk of clotting. Taking two doses by accident increases bleeding risk.
Set two phone alarms-don’t rely on memory. Label your pill organizer with AM and PM. If you’re crossing time zones, keep your original time zone schedule. For example, if you take your pills at 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Eastern Time and fly to California, still take them at 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Eastern. Don’t adjust to local time until you’re settled. This keeps your drug levels stable.
Traveling for more than a week? Bring extra pills-enough for 10-14 days beyond your planned return. Delays happen. Lost luggage happens. Don’t gamble on getting refills abroad.
Carry Your Medication the Right Way
Never pack apixaban in checked luggage. Airlines lose bags. Temperatures in cargo holds can damage medication. Always carry your pills in your carry-on.
Keep them in their original prescription bottle. It shows your name, the drug name, and the doctor’s info. Security officers may ask to see it. If you use a pill organizer, keep the original bottle nearby for proof.
Bring a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor. It doesn’t need to be fancy-just a note on letterhead saying you’re prescribed apixaban for [condition], and the dosage. This helps if customs asks or if you need emergency care abroad.
Plan for Air Travel
Long flights increase the risk of blood clots, especially if you’re already on a blood thinner. Apixaban reduces that risk, but sitting still for hours isn’t safe for anyone.
Get up and walk the aisle every hour. Do seated leg lifts: point your toes up, then down. Squeeze your calves. Drink water. Avoid alcohol and excessive caffeine-they dehydrate you and make clots more likely.
Compression socks? They’re not required, but many people on apixaban find them helpful, especially on flights longer than 4 hours. They don’t replace your medication, but they add an extra layer of protection.
What If You Bleed?
Apixaban makes you bleed more easily. A small cut might take longer to stop. A bump on the head? Don’t ignore it.
Carry a medical alert card or wear a bracelet that says “On Apixaban.” It tells first responders you’re on a blood thinner-no need to guess. In an emergency, seconds matter.
If you have a serious fall, head injury, or uncontrolled bleeding (like nosebleeds lasting over 10 minutes, blood in urine or stool, or vomiting blood), seek help immediately. Don’t wait. Hospitals abroad have protocols for reversing anticoagulants. Apixaban’s effects wear off faster than warfarin, but you still need medical care.
Drug Interactions and Food
Unlike warfarin, apixaban doesn’t react with vitamin K-rich foods. You can eat spinach, kale, broccoli-no need to count servings. That’s one less thing to stress about while traveling.
But some medications can interfere. Common over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen or naproxen increase bleeding risk. Stick to acetaminophen (Tylenol) for headaches or muscle pain. Always check with a pharmacist before taking any new pill, even herbal supplements. St. John’s wort, for example, can make apixaban less effective.
If you’re traveling to a country where you don’t speak the language, download a translation app or write down your medications in the local language. Include: “I take apixaban. Do not give me ibuprofen or aspirin.”
Emergency Contacts and Local Care
Before you leave, get your doctor’s contact info and a list of nearby hospitals at your destination. Save them in your phone and write them on paper. If you’re going to Europe, look up the European Emergency Number: 112. It works in all EU countries.
Know your insurance coverage. Does it cover emergency care abroad? Some travel insurance plans exclude pre-existing conditions. If you’re unsure, call your insurer and ask: “Does my plan cover emergency treatment for anticoagulant-related issues while traveling?”
Keep a list of your medical conditions, allergies, and current meds-including apixaban’s dose and schedule. This saves time if you end up in an ER. Many hospitals use digital records now, but not all. Be ready to explain your situation clearly.
What About Refills Abroad?
Getting apixaban refilled overseas is nearly impossible. It’s not available under the same brand name everywhere. Even if you find Eliquis, pharmacies won’t refill a foreign prescription without a local doctor’s approval.
Don’t try to buy apixaban online from a foreign website. Many are scams. You could get fake pills or wrong doses. Your health isn’t worth the risk.
Instead, plan ahead. Ask your pharmacy to dispense a 90-day supply before you leave. That’s often covered by insurance. If you’re going for longer than three months, talk to your doctor about arranging a prescription transfer with a clinic near your destination. Some international clinics work with Canadian or U.S. providers for continuity of care.
Real-Life Scenario: A Trip to Italy
Last spring, a 68-year-old from Toronto flew to Rome for two weeks. She took her apixaban as usual-two 5 mg tablets, morning and night. She set alarms, packed extra pills, wore a medical alert bracelet, and carried her prescription letter.
On day 10, her flight was delayed by 8 hours. She didn’t panic. She walked the terminal every hour, drank water, and took her next dose on schedule. When she got home, she had no clots, no bleeding, and no stress.
She didn’t need to change her routine. She just planned.
Final Checklist Before You Go
- Bring 2 weeks’ extra apixaban beyond your trip length
- Keep pills in carry-on, in original bottle
- Carry a doctor’s note or prescription copy
- Set phone alarms for doses
- Wear a medical alert bracelet or card
- Know your emergency contacts and local hospital
- Use acetaminophen for pain-no NSAIDs
- Walk every hour on flights
- Stay hydrated, avoid alcohol
- Don’t refill abroad-plan ahead
Traveling with apixaban isn’t about restrictions. It’s about smart habits. You don’t need to cancel your plans. You just need to be prepared. The same rules that keep you safe at home work just as well on the road.
Can I drink alcohol while taking apixaban during travel?
Moderate alcohol is generally okay, but it increases bleeding risk. Stick to one drink a day-no more. Avoid binge drinking, especially in unfamiliar settings. Alcohol can also dehydrate you, which raises your risk of clots. If you’re flying or driving long distances, skip it entirely.
What should I do if I miss a dose of apixaban while traveling?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember-but only if it’s within a few hours of your scheduled time. If it’s been more than a few hours, skip the missed dose and take your next one at the regular time. Never double up. If you’re unsure, call your doctor or a local pharmacist. Most clinics have after-hours lines for patients on blood thinners.
Is apixaban safe for international travel?
Yes, apixaban is safe and often preferred for travel because it doesn’t require regular blood tests like warfarin. It’s stable, has fewer food interactions, and its effects wear off faster if you have bleeding. As long as you follow the safety tips-carrying your meds, avoiding NSAIDs, staying hydrated-you can travel anywhere with confidence.
Can I take apixaban with other medications like antibiotics?
Some antibiotics, like clarithromycin and fluconazole, can increase apixaban levels and raise bleeding risk. Others, like rifampin, can make it less effective. Always tell any doctor or pharmacist you’re on apixaban before starting a new drug-even for a short course. If you get sick while traveling, don’t self-medicate. Ask for help.
Do I need to tell airport security I’m on apixaban?
No, you don’t need to announce it. But if security asks about your pills, show them the original bottle and your prescription letter. Apixaban won’t set off alarms-it’s not a controlled substance. Just be ready to explain what it is if asked. Keep your meds in your carry-on, and you’ll breeze through security.
3 Comments
Emmalee Amthor
October 31, 2025 AT 20:25just took my apixaban before boarding and forgot my damn pills in checked luggage last year-don’t be me. carry them in your bra if you have to. i did. no regrets.
Mike Laska
November 1, 2025 AT 01:34bro i flew to thailand with apixaban and the TSA agent asked if it was ‘that blood thinner stuff’ and i just nodded like a champ. no drama. no panic. just carry the bottle, look calm, and walk away. they don’t care as long as you’re not hiding a bomb.
Saumyata Tiwari
November 2, 2025 AT 08:58how can you trust american pharmaceuticals when your own government can’t even regulate the price of insulin? apixaban is overpriced, overhyped, and overprescribed. in india, we manage atrial fibrillation with turmeric, yoga, and discipline-not corporate pills wrapped in glossy labels.