Apixaban Provides Added Benefits to Overweight Patients

Used to treat deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), apixaban (Eliquis) provides considerable added benefit to overweight patients, according to an assessment released by the German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care.

The findings proved that the anticoagulant greatly benefited the initial treatment of DVT or PE patients with a body mass index (BMI) >28 kg/m² in comparison with enoxaparin and warfarin. However, such added benefit for apixaban was not proven in the initial treatment of patients with a lower BMI, or in the long-term prevention of recurrent thrombosis or PE regardless of BMI.

BMI also modified the effect of apixaban in symptomatic non-fatal DVT, as there was a hint of an added benefit in patients with a BMI >28 kg/m² that was not seen in those with a lower BMI. In treating symptomatic non-fatal PE, lesser benefit of apixaban was indicated in comparison with enoxaparin and warfarin in patients with a BMI of up to 28 kg/m², but there was no difference in those with a BMI of 28 kg/m² or higher.

Overall, considerable added benefit of apixaban versus comparator therapy was proven in initial DVT or PE treatment in patients with a BMI >28 kg/m², but it was not seen in those with a lesser BMI.