Having trouble finding Eliquis at your pharmacy? Learn why Eliquis can be hard to find in 2026, what's causing availability issues, and what you can do.
You go to pick up your Eliquis prescription, and the pharmacist says they don't have it. You call another pharmacy — same story. It feels like Eliquis has disappeared, and you're left wondering what happened.
Eliquis (Apixaban) is one of the most prescribed medications in the United States. Millions of Americans depend on it every day to prevent strokes and blood clots. So when it's hard to find, people notice — and they worry.
The good news: Eliquis hasn't been pulled from the market, and there's no formal shortage. But there are real reasons why your pharmacy might not have it on the shelf when you need it. Let's break it down.
Eliquis is the brand name for Apixaban, a prescription blood thinner made by Bristol-Myers Squibb and Pfizer. It belongs to a class of drugs called direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), which work by blocking Factor Xa — a protein your body uses to form blood clots.
Doctors prescribe Eliquis to:
It comes in two strengths — 2.5 mg and 5 mg tablets — and is taken twice daily. You can learn more about the medication in our guide: What Is Eliquis? Uses, Dosage, and What You Need to Know.
There are several reasons your pharmacy might be out of stock, even though Eliquis is still being manufactured and distributed.
Eliquis is the single most prescribed blood thinner in the United States — and it has been for years. When demand is this high, individual pharmacies can run out between their regular restocking cycles. The sheer volume of prescriptions means some locations simply can't keep enough on hand.
Starting January 1, 2026, Eliquis is one of the first 10 drugs to receive a negotiated Medicare price under the Inflation Reduction Act. The new Medicare price dropped from about $521 to around $231 per month. While this is great news for patients, the transition has created disruption. Pharmacies are adjusting their purchasing strategies, wholesalers are recalibrating supply, and the entire distribution chain is adapting to new economics.
Even though the FDA has approved several companies to make generic Apixaban (including Indoco, Hetero Labs, Sun Pharma, and Accord), generic Eliquis is not expected to hit pharmacy shelves until April 2028. That means there's only one version of the drug available right now — brand-name Eliquis — and that limits supply flexibility. Once generics launch, competition should ease availability significantly.
Every January, insurance plans update their formularies and coverage rules. Some patients find that their plan now requires prior authorization or step therapy for Eliquis, leading to prescription changes and surges in demand at certain pharmacies. This annual churn can temporarily strain local supply.
If your pharmacy doesn't have Eliquis in stock, don't panic — and don't skip your doses. Here's what to do:
Medfinder helps you search for pharmacies that have Eliquis in stock near your location. Instead of calling pharmacy after pharmacy, you can check availability in one place and save yourself time and stress.
Large chain pharmacies often face the biggest supply crunches because they serve the most patients. Independent pharmacies and smaller regional chains sometimes have better availability because they manage their own inventory more closely. It's worth calling a few local independents.
Even if a pharmacy is currently out of stock, they can usually order Eliquis from their wholesaler and have it within 1-2 business days. Ask your pharmacist when their next delivery is scheduled.
If you're consistently having trouble filling your Eliquis prescription, your doctor may be able to prescribe a different blood thinner. Alternatives include Xarelto (Rivaroxaban), Pradaxa (Dabigatran), Savaysa (Edoxaban), or Warfarin. Each has different pros and cons, so this should always be a conversation with your prescriber. Read more in our post: Alternatives to Eliquis If You Can't Fill Your Prescription.
This is the most important point. Eliquis carries a boxed warning about the risk of stroke and blood clots if you stop taking it suddenly. If you're running low and can't find it, contact your doctor right away. They can help you bridge the gap safely.
Eliquis isn't in a formal shortage, but that doesn't mean it's always easy to find. High demand, Medicare pricing changes, and the lack of a generic all contribute to intermittent stock-outs at pharmacies across the country.
The best thing you can do is plan ahead: refill your prescription a few days early, use tools like Medfinder to check availability, and keep an open line of communication with your pharmacist and doctor.
For more tips, check out our guide on How to Find Eliquis in Stock Near You, or learn about ways to save money on Eliquis in 2026.
You focus on staying healthy. We'll handle the rest.
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