Two medicines, side by side
Apixaban vs dabigatran
Apixaban and dabigatran are both labeled for atrial fibrillation, blood clots (DVT and PE) and stroke prevention. Drugs@FDA records approvals of apixaban since 2012 and of dabigatran since 2010. Pharmacies paid $5.52 per Eliquis 5 mg tablet and $0.795 per dabigatran etexilate 150 mg capsule (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. In FDA's classes, apixaban is a factor xa inhibitor and dabigatran a direct thrombin inhibitor.
Check it at the source: the apixaban FDA label on DailyMed (effective April 24, 2026); the dabigatran FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 25, 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 dabigatran record
Dabigatran (Pradaxa) · label of June 25, 2025
(A) PREMATURE DISCONTINUATION OF PRADAXA INCREASES THE RISK OF THROMBOTIC EVENTS, and (B) SPINAL/EPIDURAL HEMATOMA WARNING: (A) PREMATURE DISCONTINUATION OF PRADAXA INCREASES THE RISK OF THROMBOTIC EVENTS, and (B) SPINAL/EPIDURAL HEMATOMA See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning (A) PREMATURE DISCONTINUATION OF PRADAXA INCREASES THE RISK OF THROMBOTIC EVENTS: Premature discontinuation of any oral anticoagulant, including PRADAXA, increases the risk of thrombotic events.
Used for
From the label: indicationsPRADAXA Capsules is a direct thrombin inhibitor indicated: To reduce the risk of stroke and systemic embolism in adult patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation ( 1.1 ) For the treatment of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) in adult patients who have been treated with a parenteral anticoagulant for 5-10 days ( 1.2 ) To reduce the risk of recurrence of DVT and PE in adult patients who have […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- October 19, 2010
- Generic labelers
- 16 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.795 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 9
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Apixaban label of April 24, 2026, Dabigatran label of June 25, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do apixaban and dabigatran differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, apixaban is a factor xa inhibitor and dabigatran a direct thrombin inhibitor.
How each works, in its label's words: Apixaban, “Apixaban is a selective inhibitor of FXa.”; Dabigatran, “Dabigatran and its acyl glucuronides are competitive, direct thrombin inhibitors.”
Half-life, in each label's words: Apixaban, “Apixaban has a total clearance of approximately 3.3 L/hour and an apparent half-life of approximately 12 hours …”; Dabigatran, “The half-life of dabigatran in healthy adult subjects is 12 to 17 hours.”
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: apixaban since 2019; dabigatran since 2020 (Drugs@FDA).
| Apixaban | Dabigatran | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Atrial fibrillation, Blood clots (DVT and PE), Stroke prevention | Atrial fibrillation, Blood clots (DVT and PE), Stroke prevention |
| Pharmacologic class | Factor Xa Inhibitor | Direct Thrombin Inhibitor |
| 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. | Dabigatran and its acyl glucuronides are competitive, direct thrombin inhibitors. |
| 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. | The half-life of dabigatran in healthy adult subjects is 12 to 17 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 28, 2012 | October 19, 2010 |
| First generic approved | December 23, 2019 | March 11, 2020 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 2 labelers | 16 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $5.52 per tablet (Eliquis 5 mg tablet) | $0.795 per capsule (Dabigatran etexilate 150 mg capsule) |
| 12-month price change | -43% | -31% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 0 | 9 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 66,522 | 78,424 |
| 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)
What next?
- Alternatives to apixaban
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions