Apixaban is an anticoagulant medication used to reduce the risk of blood clots and stroke in people with atrial fibrillation (a type of irregular heartbeat) and to prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) in those who have undergone hip or knee replacement surgery. It belongs to the class of drugs known as direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) and works by inhibiting the activity of factor Xa, a key protein involved in the blood clotting process. Apixaban helps to prevent the formation of blood clots, reducing the risk of stroke and other clot-related complications.