Conditions and symptoms
What Is Antiphospholipid Syndrome? Why Labels Mention It
Antiphospholipid syndrome · say it: AN-tee-FOSS-foh-LIP-id SIN-drohmAlso written: APS, antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, Hughes syndrome
Short answer
Antiphospholipid syndrome is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system makes antibodies that make the blood more likely to clot.
What it means
Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune condition. The immune system makes antibodies that make clots more likely in veins or arteries. It can cause DVT, stroke and problems in pregnancy such as repeated miscarriage. It is diagnosed from a combination of clotting events or pregnancy problems and blood tests repeated over time.
It appears on medicine labels mainly in warnings for some newer blood thinners (direct oral anticoagulants). These are not recommended for people with APS, especially those who test positive on all three antibody tests, because studies found more clots than with warfarin. Estrogen-containing contraceptives are also usually avoided.
Having one positive antiphospholipid antibody test is not the same as having the syndrome; the diagnosis also needs a history of clots or pregnancy complications.
Where you may see it
- 'Warnings' sections of direct oral anticoagulant labels
- Blood test reports (lupus anticoagulant, anticardiolipin, anti-beta-2 glycoprotein I)
- Haematology and rheumatology clinic letters
📄 How it looks on a report
Direct-acting oral anticoagulants are not recommended for use in patients with triple-positive antiphospholipid syndrome.
🙅 What it does not mean
- A single positive antibody test does not mean you have APS.
- It is not the same as lupus, although the two can occur together.
- It does not mean every pregnancy will have problems; pregnancies are usually monitored closely.
🎯 Check yourself
Which of these is the right meaning of “Antiphospholipid syndrome”?
🗒️ Questions to ask your doctor
💊 Medicines whose labels mention “Antiphospholipid syndrome”
Plain-English explanations of each medicine, from its official FDA label.
- Apixaban
A factor Xa inhibitor, a blood thinner medicine (anticoagulant)
- Rivaroxaban
a factor Xa inhibitor, a type of blood thinner (anticoagulant)
🔗 Read more from trusted sources
- “Antiphospholipid syndrome” on MedlinePlus ↗
US National Library of Medicine
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