apixaban vs cilostazol
Side-by-side comparison of apixaban and cilostazol Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
Eliquis
Pletal
Apixaban (Eliquis) is a medicine that helps prevent blood clots. It is used to lower the risk of stroke and other serious problems caused by blood clots.
Cilostazol is a medicine that helps improve walking distance in people with leg pain due to poor circulation. It works by helping blood flow more easily through your blood vessels.
Apixaban is used to lower the chance of stroke in people with an irregular heartbeat called atrial fibrillation. It also prevents blood clots in the legs (deep vein thrombosis or DVT) that can happen after hip or knee replacement surgery. Apixaban is also used to treat DVT and lung clots (pulmonary embolism or PE), and to prevent them from coming back.
Cilostazol treats intermittent claudication. This is leg pain that happens when you walk because your leg muscles are not getting enough blood. Cilostazol helps to reduce the symptoms of this condition, like leg pain, by improving blood flow to your legs, so you can walk further without pain.
Apixaban is a type of drug called a factor Xa inhibitor. It works by blocking a substance in the blood that helps clots form. This helps to keep your blood flowing smoothly.
Cilostazol is a phosphodiesterase III (PDE III) inhibitor. It works by relaxing the muscles in your blood vessels. This helps more blood flow to your legs and feet.
- • Bleeding more easily (like nosebleeds or heavier periods)
- • Bruising more easily
- • Headache
- • Diarrhea
- • Abnormal stools
- • Palpitation (feeling your heart beat)
- • Dizziness
- Irregular heartbeat 3,970
- Shortness of breath 3,598
- Stroke 3,508
- Blood clot 2,806
- Using the medicine for something it's not approved for 2,693
- Diarrhea 302
- Fall 231
- Pneumonia (lung infection) 230
- Medicine not working 229
- Death 217
Apixaban has two important warnings. First, stopping apixaban too early can raise your risk of blood clots. Don't stop taking it without talking to your doctor. Second, if you have spinal anesthesia or a spinal puncture while taking apixaban, you could get a blood clot around your spine, which can cause long-term paralysis.
You should not take cilostazol if you have heart failure. This medicine can be harmful if you have heart failure.
Apixaban is not recommended during pregnancy because it may increase the risk of bleeding during pregnancy and delivery. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking apixaban if you are breastfeeding. You may need to stop taking the drug or stop nursing.
It is not known if cilostazol is safe to take during pregnancy. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is also not known if cilostazol passes into breast milk. You should not breastfeed while taking cilostazol.
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How to Read This apixaban vs cilostazol Comparison
apixaban is classified in the Direct Oral Anticoagulant (Factor Xa Inhibitor) drug class, while cilostazol sits within the PDE3 Inhibitor (Antiplatelet) class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.
Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, apixaban has 16,575 submissions while cilostazol has 1,209. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume — not per-patient risk — so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. No direct interaction between these two drugs is listed in our FDA-derived dataset, though co-prescription still warrants pharmacist review. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.
A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between apixaban and cilostazol — always consult your physician or pharmacist first.
Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.