Having trouble finding Apixaban or Eliquis at your pharmacy? Learn why this blood thinner is hard to find in 2026 and what you can do about it.
You go to the pharmacy to pick up your Apixaban prescription — the blood thinner your doctor says you need to take every single day — and the pharmacist tells you they don't have it in stock. Maybe they can order it. Maybe try next week. Maybe call around.
If this sounds familiar, you're not imagining things. Thousands of patients across the United States have been running into the same problem. Whether your prescription is written for brand-name Eliquis or generic Apixaban, finding it on the shelf has become harder than it should be.
Let's break down exactly why this is happening and, more importantly, what you can do about it.
Apixaban (brand name: Eliquis) is one of the most widely prescribed blood thinners in the United States. It belongs to a class of medications called direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), specifically a Factor Xa inhibitor. It works by blocking a protein in your blood that helps form clots.
Doctors prescribe Apixaban to:
It's typically taken as a 5 mg tablet twice daily, or 2.5 mg twice daily for certain patients. Unlike older blood thinners like Warfarin, Apixaban doesn't require regular blood monitoring or dietary restrictions, which is why so many patients and doctors prefer it.
For more details on how this medication works, check out our guide on how Apixaban works.
There are several reasons patients are struggling to find Apixaban at their local pharmacy. Here are the main ones:
Brand-name Eliquis was one of the top-selling drugs in America for years, generating over $10 billion annually. When patent settlements allowed generic Apixaban to enter the market in late 2024 and early 2025, it created a massive shift in the supply chain.
Multiple generic manufacturers started producing Apixaban at the same time. While this should eventually bring prices down and increase supply, the transition period has been rocky. Pharmacies had to decide which manufacturer to stock, wholesalers had to adjust ordering patterns, and some manufacturers have been ramping up production more slowly than expected.
Apixaban is one of the most prescribed medications in the country. Millions of Americans rely on it daily, and with an aging population, the number of patients with atrial fibrillation and blood clot disorders continues to grow. Generic availability actually increased demand because more patients could now afford the medication, putting even more pressure on supply.
Large chain pharmacies often rely on automated inventory systems and centralized distribution. When a pharmacy's usual manufacturer is out of stock at the wholesaler, it may not automatically switch to another manufacturer's version. Independent pharmacies, on the other hand, often have more flexibility to source from multiple distributors.
Some insurance plans have been slow to update their formularies to include all generic Apixaban manufacturers. This means even when a pharmacy has a generic version in stock, your insurance might only cover a specific manufacturer — or still require the brand name. This creates confusion and delays at the pharmacy counter.
The good news: Apixaban is not unavailable. It's just harder to track down at certain pharmacies on certain days. Here's how to improve your chances:
Medfinder lets you search for Apixaban and see which pharmacies near you currently have it in stock. Instead of calling pharmacy after pharmacy, you can check online in seconds.
Independent and locally owned pharmacies often have more flexibility in their ordering. They may be able to source Apixaban from a different wholesaler or manufacturer than the big chains. They're also more likely to go the extra mile to help you find your medication.
If your pharmacy is out of one manufacturer's generic Apixaban, ask if they have another manufacturer's version. As long as it's the same active ingredient and dose, it will work the same way. Your pharmacist can also check other locations within the same chain.
If you've been unable to fill your Apixaban prescription for several days, contact your prescriber immediately. Missing doses of a blood thinner can be dangerous — it significantly increases your risk of stroke or blood clots. Your doctor may be able to prescribe a temporary alternative like Rivaroxaban (Xarelto) or Warfarin while you sort out the supply issue.
Don't wait until you're on your last few tablets to refill. Most insurance plans allow you to refill a few days early. Set a reminder to refill when you have about a week's supply left so you have time to find it if there's a delay.
Apixaban is a critically important medication for millions of Americans. The current difficulty in finding it is largely driven by the transition from brand-name Eliquis to generic manufacturing — a change that will ultimately benefit patients through lower prices. But the short-term growing pains are real and frustrating.
The most important thing is: do not stop taking your blood thinner without talking to your doctor. If you're having trouble finding Apixaban, use Medfinder to check pharmacy availability near you, and reach out to your prescriber if you're at risk of running out.
For more tips on tracking down your medication, see our guide on how to find Apixaban in stock near you.
You focus on staying healthy. We'll handle the rest.
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