National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE)
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NICE guidance recommends apixaban (Eliquis) for treating and preventing potentially fatal blood clots

In final guidance published yesterday healthcare guidance body NICE has recommended the anti-blood clotting drug apixaban (Eliquis, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Pfizer) as an option for treating and preventing venous thromboembolism (VTE) in adults.

VTE is a term used to describe deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). When a blood clot forms in one of the deep veins in the leg, thigh, pelvis or arm it is known as a DVT. If part of the blood clot comes loose it can be carried in the blood to another part of the body where it can cause problems. If the blood clot reaches the lungs (PE) it can be fatal.

DVT can result in long-term illness, including venous ulceration and chronic pain, swelling and skin changes in the affected limb which can have a significant impact on quality of life.

Risk factors for VTE include a history of DVT, recent surgery, immobility, active cancer or cancer treatment, being aged over 60 years, obesity, hormone replacement therapy or oestrogen containing contraceptive therapy and having other conditions such as heart disease.

People with suspected DVT or PE are generally treated immediately with drugs that help to prevent the blood from clotting (anticoagulants), most commonly with injections of low molecular weight heparin. When the diagnosis has been confirmed, this is overlapped with warfarin, or treatment may be switched to one of the other newer oral anticoagulants (apixaban, rivaroxaban or dabigatran). Both apixaban and rivaroxaban can be used from the start and do not have to be preceded by heparin. Dabigatran is initiated after at least 5-days treatment with an injectable anticoagulant such as low molecular weight heparin.

The length of treatment is based on a person’s risk of having another DVT or PE, as well as their risk of bleeding. The usual length of treatment in UK practice is 3 months or more. However, people who are at high risk of having another blood clot may be given life-long treatment with anticoagulants to prevent further episodes.

Apixaban is given as a tablet. It helps to prevent blood from clotting by stopping a substance called Factor Xa from working. Factor Xa is necessary in the formation of thrombin and fibrin, the key components in blood clot formation.

Commenting on the guidance, Professor Carole Longson, NICE Health Technology Evaluation Centre Director, said: “For many people, using warfarin can be difficult because of the need for frequent tests to see if the blood is clotting properly, and having to adjust the dose of the drug if it is not. Apixaban, like the other newer oral anticoagulants already recommended by NICE for the treatment and secondary prevention of VTE, does not require frequent blood tests to monitor treatment and so represents a potential benefit for many people who have had a VTE.

“The Committee also heard that apixaban is the only oral anticoagulant for which the licensed dose is lower for secondary prevention than for initial treatment of VTE. This could also be of potential benefit in terms of reducing the risk of bleeding where treatment is continued and therefore increase the chance that a person would take apixaban long term.”

For more information call the NICE press office on 0300 323 0142 or out of hours on 07775 583 813.

Notes to Editors

About the guidance

  1. The guidance will be available on the NICE website athttp://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ta341 from 4 June 2015.
  2. To treat DVT or pulmonary embolism PE, 10 mg apixaban should be taken twice a day for the first 7 days, followed by 5 mg twice a day for at least 3 months. For the prevention of recurrent events, people who have completed 6 months of treatment for DVT or PE should take 2.5 mg twice a day.
  1. The cost of apixaban is £1.10 per tablet for either the 2.5 mg or 5 mg dose (excluding VAT; British national formulary [BNF] accessed January 2015). The daily cost of apixaban is £2.20. Costs may vary in different settings because of negotiated procurement discounts.
  2. The Committee noted that in most of the company and ERG sensitivity analyses, the ICER was less than £20,000 per QALY gained for either treatment duration (6 months or lifelong).

About NICE

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is the independent body responsible for driving improvement and excellence in the health and social care system. We develop guidance, standards and information on high-quality health and social care. We also advise on ways to promote healthy living and prevent ill health.

Our aim is to help practitioners deliver the best possible care and give people the most effective treatments, which are based on the most up-to-date evidence and provide value for money, in order to reduce inequalities and variation.

Our products and resources are produced for the NHS, local authorities, care providers, charities, and anyone who has a responsibility for commissioning or providing healthcare, public health or social care services.

To find out more about what we do, visit our website:www.nice.org.uk and follow us on Twitter: @NICEComms.

 

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