apixaban vs dalteparin
Side-by-side comparison of apixaban and dalteparin Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
Eliquis
Fragmin
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.
Dalteparin (Fragmin) is a type of blood thinner medicine. It helps prevent and treat harmful blood clots.
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.
This medicine can help prevent blood clots in your legs after surgery or during illness with limited movement. It can also treat blood clots in your legs or lungs. Dalteparin can also prevent chest pain caused by heart problems.
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.
Dalteparin is a low molecular weight heparin. It works by blocking certain proteins in your blood that help clots form. This helps to prevent new clots from forming and keeps existing clots from getting bigger.
- • Bleeding more easily (like nosebleeds or heavier periods)
- • Bruising more easily
- • Bleeding
- • Bruising at the injection site
- • Pain at the injection site
- • Increased liver enzymes
- 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
- Feeling sick to your stomach 675
- Using the medicine for something it's not approved for 659
- Blood clot in the lungs 570
- Difficulty breathing 563
- Throwing up 545
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.
This medicine can cause bleeding around your spine if you get an epidural or spinal tap. This can lead to long-term or permanent paralysis. Tell your doctor if you are taking other medicines that can increase bleeding, like NSAIDs or aspirin.
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.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. This medicine should only be used during pregnancy if clearly needed. Dalteparin passes into breast milk in small amounts, but the effect on the baby is not known.
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How to Read This apixaban vs dalteparin Comparison
apixaban is classified in the Direct Oral Anticoagulant (Factor Xa Inhibitor) drug class, while dalteparin sits within the Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin 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 dalteparin has 3,012. 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 dalteparin — 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.