apixaban vs clarithromycin

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Side-by-side comparison of apixaban and clarithromycin. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.

minor Known Drug Interaction

Clarithromycin Although clarithromycin is a combined P-gp and strong CYP3A4 inhibitor, pharmacokinetic data suggest that no dose adjustment is necessary with concomitant administration with apixaban [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3) ].

Drug Class
apixaban Direct Oral Anticoagulant (Factor Xa Inhibitor)
clarithromycin Macrolide Antibiotic
Type
apixaban Prescription
clarithromycin Prescription
Summary
apixaban

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.

clarithromycin

Clarithromycin is an antibiotic that fights bacterial infections. It belongs to a class of drugs called macrolides.

What It Treats
apixaban

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.

clarithromycin

Clarithromycin treats mild to moderate infections caused by certain bacteria. It can treat bronchitis, sinus infections, pneumonia, and throat/tonsil infections. It also treats skin infections, ear infections in children, certain mycobacterial infections, and H. pylori infections that cause ulcers.

How It Works
apixaban

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.

clarithromycin

Clarithromycin works by stopping the growth of bacteria. It prevents bacteria from making proteins they need to survive. This helps your body fight off the infection.

Common Side Effects
apixaban
  • Bleeding more easily (like nosebleeds or heavier periods)
  • Bruising more easily
clarithromycin
  • Abdominal pain
  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Taste changes
FAERS Reports
apixaban
  • Atrial Fibrillation 3,970
  • Dyspnoea 3,598
  • Cerebrovascular Accident 3,508
  • Thrombosis 2,806
  • Cardiac Disorder 2,509
clarithromycin
  • Drug Interaction 2,906
  • Nausea 2,214
  • Dyspnoea 1,959
  • Diarrhoea 1,937
  • Malaise 1,650
Serious Warnings
apixaban

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.

clarithromycin

Clarithromycin can cause severe allergic reactions. Stop taking it and get medical help right away if you have signs of a reaction. This medicine can also cause heart rhythm problems (QT prolongation) and liver problems. Tell your doctor if you have heart or liver issues. Clarithromycin may increase the risk of death in patients with coronary artery disease.

Pregnancy
apixaban

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.

clarithromycin

Clarithromycin is not recommended during pregnancy unless there are no other options. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if clarithromycin passes into breast milk, so talk to your doctor before breastfeeding.

Also Compare, Nearby Drugs

How to Read This apixaban vs clarithromycin Comparison

apixaban is classified in the Direct Oral Anticoagulant (Factor Xa Inhibitor) drug class, while clarithromycin sits within the Macrolide Antibiotic 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 16,391 submissions while clarithromycin has 10,666. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. These two drugs have a known minor interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to clarithromycin blocks the enzymes that break down apixaban, but the effect is not strong enough to require a change.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.

A table cannot represent individual circumstances. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This registry does not provide medical, treatment, substitution, or medication-change directions for apixaban or clarithromycin.

Registry boundary: This comparison displays source-record fields and does not provide individualized medical direction.