CHS Pharmacy News
Business Hours
Memorial Day: May 25th, Closed*
Normal business hours are 9 AM – 5:30 PM M-F, and 9 AM – 3PM Saturday and Closed on Sunday
*Emergency services available 24/7/365
Stroke Awareness Month*
May is National Stroke Awareness Month, with 2026 initiatives focusing on educating the public that 80% of strokes are preventable. Key efforts highlight recognizing symptoms, controlling risk factors like hypertension, and acting fast (B.E. F.A.S.T.) to reduce the high incidence of death and disability.
B.E. F.A.S.T. Warning Signs: Balance loss, Eyesight changes, Facial drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call emergency services.
Clinical Spotlight: DOACs in Stroke Prevention (Eliquis vs. Xarelto)
As frontline educators and advocates, nurses play a critical role in ensuring patients safely navigate Direct Oral Anticoagulant (DOAC) therapy. When educating patients on Eliquis (apixaban) and Xarelto (rivaroxaban) for stroke prevention, it is essential to highlight how their clinical profiles differ to ensure optimal adherence and safety.
Dosing and Administration Nuances
A primary distinction lies in their pharmacokinetic profiles and administration schedules. Xarelto is typically prescribed once daily and must be taken with a meal (specifically the 15mg and 20mg doses) to ensure maximum absorption. In contrast, Eliquis is a twice-daily medication that can be taken with or without food. Nurses should emphasize that while
Xarelto offers the convenience of “one and done” dosing, Eliquis may provide more stable plasma concentrations, which is a factor providers consider for high-risk patients.
Safety Profiles and Clinical Considerations
From a safety standpoint, clinical data often favor Eliquis regarding bleeding risks. Studies, including those highlighted by Vanderbilt Health, indicate that Eliquis may carry a lower risk of major gastrointestinal and intracranial bleeds compared to Xarelto, particularly in the geriatric population. Additionally, Eliquis is often the preferred choice for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), as it is less dependent on renal clearance than Xarelto.
Nursing Advocacy and Patient Safety
The most critical teaching point for any patient on a DOAC is the Black Box Warning: abrupt discontinuation without a medical transition to another anticoagulant significantly increases the risk of thrombotic events (stroke). Nurses should also instruct patients to monitor for “red flag” symptoms, such as persistent epistaxis, hematuria, or dark, tarry stools. By reinforcing the importance of timing and recognizing bleeding risks, nurses can empower patients to manage their stroke prevention therapy effectively.
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