Can Eliquis Cause Hallucinations? Side Effects and Safety Info

Can Eliquis Cause Hallucinations as a Side Effect?

Eliquis (apixaban) is a popular anticoagulant medication used to treat and prevent blood clots, lower risk of stroke in atrial fibrillation patients, and prevent deep vein thrombosis following hip or knee replacement surgery. Like other anticoagulants, Eliquis functions by thinning the blood to prevent excessive clotting.

While Eliquis offers important benefits for many patients, some people do report experiencing side effects while taking this medication. One rare but serious possible side effect is hallucinations.

Keep reading to learn more about the relationship between Eliquis and hallucinations, the Eliquis side effects profile, and when to seek medical attention if you develop any neuropsychiatric symptoms while taking apixaban.

What Are Hallucinations?

Hallucinations involve perceiving things that are not real. They can affect any of the five senses - most commonly hearing and vision. Auditory hallucinations may involve hearing voices, music, or other sounds that aren't really present. Visual hallucinations can cause you to see people, objects, or patterns that don't exist.

Other examples of hallucinations include:

• Smelling odors like smoke, perfume, or rotting food when nothing is there
• Feeling sensations like tingling, burning, crawling, or electricity on or under the skin
• Tasting flavors like salt, butter, or metal when you aren't eating anything

Hallucinations feel very real to the person experiencing them, even though they exist only in the mind. They are different from illusions, which involve misinterpreting something that's present (like seeing an object in the dark and mistaking it for something else).

What Causes Hallucinations?

A variety of underlying conditions can trigger hallucinations, including:

• Schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders
• Delusional disorder
• Bipolar disorder
• Severe depression or anxiety
• Psychotic disorders
• Delirium
• Dementia and Alzheimer's
• Parkinson's disease
• Brain tumors
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Stroke
• Lewy body dementia
• Charles Bonnet syndrome
• Narcolepsy
• Sleep deprivation
• Sensory deprivation
• Epilepsy
• Migraines
• Intoxication
• Drug abuse and withdrawal
• Infections like encephalitis and meningitis
• Electrolyte imbalances
• Vitamin deficiencies
• High fevers
• Poisoning

Hallucinations sometimes occur in healthy people due to exhaustion, sensory deprivation, sleeping problems, or as part of the grieving process. But frequently experiencing hallucinations often signals an underlying medical or mental health disorder requiring treatment.

Can Eliquis Cause Hallucinations?

Eliquis itself does not commonly cause hallucinations. However, in very rare cases, certain individuals may experience neuropsychiatric side effects like hallucinations while taking Eliquis.

According to Eliquis prescribing information, neuropsychiatric reactions have been reported post-marketing in patients treated with apixaban. These reactions include hallucinations, confusion, anxiety, insomnia, and other issues.

Frequencies for these neurologic and psychiatric side effects are not precisely known. During clinical trials, fewer than 1% of Eliquis users reported confusion, but hallucinations were not specifically mentioned.

Overall, hallucinations appear to be an extremely uncommon side effect of Eliquis treatment. But it remains vital for doctors and patients to monitor for any neurologic or psychiatric changes during Eliquis therapy.

Why Might Eliquis Cause Hallucinations in Some People?

Researchers aren't entirely sure why a small number of people report hallucinations and related neuropsychiatric effects while taking apixaban. There are a few theories about potential contributing factors:

• Blood clots - Since Eliquis thins the blood, paradoxically stopping it could theoretically allow small clots that trigger hallucinations in some people.
• Brain bleeds - Bleeding into the brain, even microhemorrhages, may very rarely cause neuropsychiatric symptoms.
• Drug interactions - Combining Eliquis with certain medications like opioids might heighten hallucination risk.
• Preexisting conditions - Those with a history of neurologic issues may be more susceptible to neuropsychiatric side effects.
• Paradoxical reaction - Some people react to medications in atypical, unexpected ways.

But again, these are just theoretical possibilities. The precise reason why hallucinations occasionally occur with Eliquis remains unclear.

Other Neurologic Eliquis Side Effects

In addition to rarely causing hallucinations, Eliquis has also been associated with certain other neurologic and psychiatric side effects, usually in less than 1% of users. These may include:

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Memory impairment
• Seizures
• Tremors
• Agitation
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Sleep problems

More common Eliquis side effects like bleeding, bruising, nausea, joint pain and anemia may sometimes have neuropsychiatric symptoms too. Always tell your doctor about any unusual reactions you have after starting Eliquis.

Should I Stop Taking Eliquis if I Have Hallucinations?

If you experience hallucinations or any other neuropsychiatric symptoms while using Eliquis, contact your doctor right away. Never stop taking Eliquis on your own without medical supervision.

Your physician will investigate your symptoms and determine if Eliquis may be the cause. They may recommend adjusting your Eliquis dosage, switching anticoagulants, or adding medications to control neuropsychiatric effects. In severe cases, your doctor may advise stopping Eliquis.

Suddenly quitting Eliquis can increase your stroke and blood clot risk. So any medication changes should always be under medical supervision. Keep taking Eliquis as prescribed until your doctor gives you other directions.

When to Seek Emergency Care

In most cases, mild hallucinations and other neurologic issues on Eliquis can be managed on an outpatient basis. But seek emergency medical care if you experience:

• Hallucinations along with bleeding or bruising
• Confusion, speech issues, vision loss, or facial drooping
• Sudden severe headache or head injury
• Seizures
• Fainting or loss of consciousness
• Difficulty breathing
• Chest pain or tightness
• Signs of allergic reaction like rash, swelling, or anaphylaxis

These types of symptoms could indicate a serious complication like intracranial hemorrhage, severe drug reaction, stroke, or other emergency requiring prompt medical treatment.

The Bottom Line

Hallucinations appear to be an extremely rare side effect of Eliquis treatment. Only isolated cases have been reported. In most instances, Eliquis is very well tolerated with a low risk of neuropsychiatric complications for patients.

However, all patients taking Eliquis should remain alert for any unusual changes in thinking, mood, or perception and promptly report symptoms to their healthcare provider. With close monitoring, even rare Eliquis side effects like hallucinations can usually be managed safely under medical supervision.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.