apixaban vs heparin
Side-by-side comparison of apixaban and heparin Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
moderate Known Drug Interaction
7.3 Anticoagulants and Antiplatelet Agents Coadministration of antiplatelet agents, fibrinolytics, heparin, aspirin, and chronic NSAID use increases the risk of bleeding.
Recommendation: Use this combination only if specifically directed by a doctor, and watch closely for any signs of bleeding.
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.
Heparin is a medicine that helps prevent and treat blood clots. It is given as an injection into a vein or under the skin.
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.
Heparin is used to prevent and treat blood clots in your veins and lungs. It can also prevent clots after surgery or if you have an irregular heartbeat called atrial fibrillation. Heparin can also treat blood clotting problems throughout your body and prevent clots during surgery, blood transfusions, or dialysis.
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.
Heparin works by stopping certain proteins in your blood from forming clots. It helps to thin your blood and prevent new clots from forming. It does not dissolve existing blood clots, but it can keep them from getting bigger.
- • Bleeding more easily (like nosebleeds or heavier periods)
- • Bruising more easily
- • Bleeding
- • Irritation at the injection site
- • Allergic reactions
- • Increased liver enzyme levels
- 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
- Low platelets caused by heparin 1,207
- Medicine not working 924
- Feeling sick to your stomach 712
- Using the medicine for something it's not approved for 697
- Allergic reaction to the medicine 603
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.
Heparin can cause serious bleeding, which can be fatal. It can also cause a severe reaction called heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), where your body attacks your own platelets. Make sure your doctor knows if you have ever had HIT. Using the wrong strength of heparin can also cause fatal bleeding.
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.
If you are pregnant, talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of using heparin. Preservative-free heparin is recommended during pregnancy if available. It is not known if heparin passes into breast milk, so it is recommended to avoid breastfeeding while using this medicine.
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How to Read This apixaban vs heparin Comparison
apixaban is classified in the Direct Oral Anticoagulant (Factor Xa Inhibitor) drug class, while heparin sits within the Unfractionated 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 heparin has 4,143. 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 moderate interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to both drugs are blood thinners that prevent your blood from clotting. using them together can make your blood too thin and increase your risk of serious bleeding.. 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 heparin — 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.