Medication CostsApril 6, 2026

Can You Get a Generic Eliquis? What to Know About Generic Apixaban

Generic versions of Eliquis (apixaban) are now available in the U.S. Here's what they cost, where to find them, and whether they're the right choice for your situation.

Written by

J

Jacob Elich

Health Consulting & Business Operations

Jacob Elich is the founder of ClariMeds and an MBA-trained business operator with a background in health consulting and dealmaking. He started ClariMeds after watching family members struggle to afford medications they were prescribed but couldn't pay for — and realizing that the manufacturer assistance programs that could have helped them were largely invisible to the people who needed them most. His work focuses on closing that gap.

Can You Get a Generic Eliquis? What to Know About Generic Apixaban

For years, patients were told there was no generic for Eliquis — which meant paying $600+ per month or hoping to qualify for a patient assistance program. That changed in 2023.

Generic apixaban is now available in the United States. But the rollout has been gradual, and many patients — and even some healthcare providers — don't know the details. Here's what's available, what it costs, and how to access it.

What Is Generic Apixaban?

Generic apixaban is the bioequivalent version of Eliquis. It contains the same active ingredient (apixaban) at the same dosages (2.5 mg and 5 mg tablets), manufactured to the same FDA standards.

The FDA requires generics to be bioequivalent to the brand — meaning they deliver the same amount of active drug into your bloodstream at the same rate. Generic apixaban is not a different drug; it's the same drug made by a different manufacturer.

When Did Generics Become Available?

Bristol-Myers Squibb and Pfizer held patents on apixaban that were challenged by multiple generic manufacturers. Through a series of patent litigation settlements, generic manufacturers were permitted to begin selling apixaban in the U.S. starting in late 2023.

Several manufacturers received FDA approval for generic apixaban, including Micro Labs, Ajanta Pharma, and others. Additional generics have continued to enter the market.

What Does Generic Apixaban Cost?

Pricing varies significantly by pharmacy and discount program. As of 2025:

| Source | Approximate Monthly Cost (5mg twice daily) | |--------|---------------------------------------------| | Brand Eliquis (retail) | $550–$700 | | Generic apixaban (retail) | $80–$200 | | Generic apixaban with GoodRx | $40–$120 | | Generic apixaban with insurance | Depends on formulary tier |

These are estimates. Actual prices vary by pharmacy, region, and which generic manufacturer's product is in stock.

Is Generic Apixaban Covered by Insurance?

Coverage depends on your plan. Many commercial insurance plans and Part D plans have updated their formularies to include generic apixaban — sometimes at a lower tier (and lower copay) than brand Eliquis.

However, this is not universal. Some plans still list only the brand, or list the generic at the same tier. Call your plan's pharmacy benefits line and ask specifically: "Is generic apixaban (not Eliquis) covered, and at what tier?"

If the generic is on a lower tier, your doctor can write the prescription as "apixaban" to allow generic substitution.

Does Your Doctor Need to Change Your Prescription?

If your prescription is written as "Eliquis," your pharmacist may be able to substitute the generic automatically — depending on your state's substitution laws and whether your doctor marked the prescription "dispense as written."

If automatic substitution isn't happening, the simplest fix is to ask your doctor to rewrite the prescription as "apixaban" (the generic name) rather than "Eliquis."

Is Generic Apixaban Safe? Should You Be Concerned?

Generic medications are a routine, well-regulated part of the U.S. pharmaceutical system. The FDA's bioequivalence standards exist precisely to ensure patients receive the same therapeutic effect.

That said, a few legitimate considerations:

Inactive ingredients differ. The inactive ingredients (fillers, binders, coatings) in a generic may differ from the brand. For the vast majority of patients, this makes no difference. For patients with specific allergies or sensitivities, it's worth reviewing the ingredient list with your pharmacist.

Different manufacturers may be stocked at different times. Generic supply can vary by pharmacy. If you have a good response to a particular generic and want to stay on it, ask your pharmacist which manufacturer they carry.

Don't switch without telling your doctor. This isn't a clinical concern about safety, but a documentation concern. Your medical record should reflect what you're taking.

When Generic Apixaban May Not Be the Right Move

Some patients are enrolled in the BMS Access Support patient assistance program and receive brand Eliquis for free. If you're already getting brand Eliquis at no cost, switching to a paid generic doesn't make sense.

Similarly, patients with commercial insurance using the Eliquis copay card (which brings cost to ~$10/month) may not save money by switching to the generic, depending on their plan's copay structure.

How to Access Generic Apixaban

  1. Ask your doctor to prescribe "apixaban" (generic name) rather than "Eliquis"
  2. Use GoodRx or a similar discount program at your pharmacy
  3. Call ahead to confirm your pharmacy has stock (generic supply can vary)
  4. Compare prices across pharmacies — differences can be significant

If you need help navigating your options — generic vs. brand, insurance coverage, assistance programs — ClariMeds can help you find the most affordable path. Start here.

Paying too much for your medication?

ClariMeds connects you to free or low-cost medications through manufacturer assistance programs — and handles every step of the application for you.

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