Key result
Labeled apixaban dosing in AF patients on hemodialysis is linked to ~8-fold higher overexposure.
Why the study?
This study aimed to investigate the distribution of apixaban concentrations in patients with end-stage renal disease, including those on hemodialysis, and to evaluate the most appropriate dosing regimens.
Does apixaban dosing regimen affect drug overexposure and bleeding risk in patients with atrial fibrillation and end-stage renal disease or on hemodialysis?
Cohort (n=596)
Does apixaban dosing regimen affect drug overexposure and bleeding risk in patients with atrial fibrillation and end-stage renal disease or on hemodialysis?
Effect estimate: aOR 8.07 (95% CI 1.06-61.45)
In patients with CrCL <25 mL/min or on hemodialysis, a 2.5 mg twice daily apixaban regimen may be optimal to avoid the high probability of overexposure seen with the 5 mg regimen.
Supports caution with off-label apixaban dosing in advanced CKD; leaves open optimal strategy for AF with CrCl<25.
Background and aims This study aimed to investigate the distribution of apixaban concentrations in patients with end-stage renal disease, including those on hemodialysis (HD) and to evaluate the most appropriate dosing regimens. Methods We enrolled 596 patients with atrial fibrillation receiving apixaban therapy and measured their trough concentrations. The labeled dosing regimen was defined according to the prescribing information. For HD patients, it was defined as 2.5 mg twice daily (bid) regimen. Results In our cohort, patients with CrCL<25 mL/min, but not those with HD had significantly higher apixaban concentrations. After adjustment, off-labeled overdosing was significantly associated with apixaban overexposure (aOR 4.55 [1.43–14.44]). Among patients receiving labeled dosing regimens (n=450, 75.5%), both CrCL<25 mL/min (aOR 12.53 [2.59, 60.63]) and HD (aOR 8.07 [1.06, 61.45]) were associated with apixaban overexposure after adjustment. Model-based predictions showed that the probability of overexposure ranged from approximately 25% with the 2.5 mg bid regimen to 50% with the 5 mg bid regimen in patients with CrCL<25 mL/min or those undergoing HD. During a median follow-up of 1.9 years, the incidence rates of major bleeding were 6.37, 2.85, and 2.11 per 100 person-years for the HD, CrCL<25 mL/min, and CrCL 25 to <50 or ≥50 mL/min groups, respectively (log-rank test P=0.55). Conclusions In patients with CrCL <25 mL/min or on HD, a 2.5 mg twice daily apixaban regimen may be a more optimal therapeutic option due to a high probability of overexposure with the 5 mg regimen. Conflict of interest Sung-Chun Tang, Shin-Yi Lin, Chih-Hao Chen, Yen-Bin Liu, Li-Ting Ho, Ching-Hua Kuo, Yu-Fong Peng, Shu-Wen Lin and Jiann-Shing Jeng: nothing to disclose
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Lin et al. (2026) conducted a cohort in Atrial fibrillation with end-stage renal disease or hemodialysis (n=596). Apixaban vs. Different renal function groups and dosing regimens was evaluated on Apixaban overexposure in hemodialysis patients on labeled dosing (aOR 8.07, 95% CI 1.06-61.45). In atrial fibrillation patients on hemodialysis, labeled apixaban dosing was associated with significant overexposure (aOR 8.07; 95% CI 1.06-61.45), suggesting 2.5 mg twice daily is optimal.
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