Two medicines, side by side
Apixaban vs aspirin
Apixaban is labeled for atrial fibrillation, blood clots (dvt and pe) and stroke prevention; aspirin for pain, cough and cold and fever. Their labels share no use, so they are not alternatives to each other. Drugs@FDA records approvals of apixaban since 2012 and of aspirin since 1965. Pharmacies paid $5.52 per Eliquis 5 mg tablet and $0.0142 per aspirin ec 81 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ and one is a brand and one a generic, so the two prices are not like for like. Only the apixaban label carries a boxed warning.
Check it at the source: the apixaban FDA label on DailyMed (effective April 24, 2026); the aspirin FDA label on DailyMed (effective September 9, 2025).
Highlights of the apixaban record
Apixaban (Eliquis) · label of April 24, 2026
(A) PREMATURE DISCONTINUATION OF ELIQUIS INCREASES THE RISK OF THROMBOTIC EVENTS (B) SPINAL/EPIDURAL HEMATOMA (A) PREMATURE DISCONTINUATION OF ELIQUIS INCREASES THE RISK OF THROMBOTIC EVENTS Premature discontinuation of any oral anticoagulant, including ELIQUIS, increases the risk of thrombotic events.
Used for
From the label: indicationsELIQUIS is a factor Xa inhibitor indicated: • to reduce the risk of stroke and systemic embolism in adult patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. (1.1) • for the prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which may lead to pulmonary embolism (PE), in adult patients who have undergone hip or knee replacement surgery. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 28, 2012
- Generic labelers
- 2 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $5.52 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
Highlights of the aspirin record
Aspirin (Measurin) · label of September 9, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsTemporarily relieves headache toothache pain and fever of colds muscle pain menstrual pain minor pain of arthritis
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- June 25, 1965
- Generic labelers
- none listed
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0142 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 1
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Apixaban label of April 24, 2026, Aspirin label of September 9, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do apixaban and aspirin differ on the record?
Only the apixaban label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: apixaban since 2019; aspirin none approved (Drugs@FDA).
| Apixaban | Aspirin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Atrial fibrillation, Blood clots (DVT and PE), Stroke prevention | Pain, Cough and cold, Fever |
| Pharmacologic class | Factor Xa Inhibitor | n/a |
| How it works (label) | Apixaban is a selective inhibitor of FXa. It does not require antithrombin III for antithrombotic activity. Apixaban inhibits free and clot-bound FXa, and prothrombinase activity. | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | Apixaban has a total clearance of approximately 3.3 L/hour and an apparent half-life of approximately 12 hours following oral administration. | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 28, 2012 | June 25, 1965 |
| First generic approved | December 23, 2019 | none |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 2 labelers | none listed |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $5.52 per tablet (Eliquis 5 mg tablet) | $0.0142 per tablet (Aspirin ec 81 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -43% | -2% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | A presentation being discontinued |
| Recalls recorded | 0 | 1 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 66,522 | 534,208 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
Do their labels mention each other?
Apixaban label, drug interactionsCoadministration of antiplatelet agents, fibrinolytics, heparin, aspirin, and chronic NSAID use increases the risk of bleeding.
Apixaban label, warnings and precautionsThese include aspirin and other antiplatelet agents, other anticoagulants, heparin, thrombolytic agents, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) [see Drug Interactions (7.3) ].
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to apixaban
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions