apixaban vs rivaroxaban
Side-by-side comparison of apixaban and rivaroxaban Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
Eliquis
Xarelto
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.
Rivaroxaban (Xarelto) is a drug that helps to prevent blood clots from forming. It is used to lower the risk of stroke and treat or prevent dangerous clots in your veins and lungs.
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 strokes in people with an irregular heartbeat called atrial fibrillation. It also treats blood clots in the legs (deep vein thrombosis or DVT) and lungs (pulmonary embolism or PE). Rivaroxaban can also lower the risk of these clots coming back. It is also used to prevent blood clots after hip or knee replacement surgery and in acutely ill patients.
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.
Rivaroxaban is a factor Xa inhibitor. It blocks a substance in your blood called factor Xa. By blocking factor Xa, the medicine helps to prevent blood clots from forming.
- • Bleeding more easily (like nosebleeds or heavier periods)
- • Bruising more easily
- • Bleeding
- • Cough
- • Vomiting
- • Gastroenteritis (inflammation of the stomach and intestines)
- 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
- Bleeding in the stomach or intestines 21,559
- Using the medicine for something it's not approved for 7,808
- Bleeding 7,713
- Shortness of breath 7,149
- Nosebleed 6,698
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 has two important warnings. First, stopping this medicine too early can increase your risk of blood clots. Do not stop taking it without talking to your doctor first. Second, if you receive spinal anesthesia or have a spinal puncture while taking this medicine, you have a risk of a blood clot forming around your spine, which can cause long-term paralysis.
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.
Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. This medicine may cause bleeding problems during pregnancy and delivery. It is not known if this medicine passes into breast milk, so talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of breastfeeding.
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How to Read This apixaban vs rivaroxaban Comparison
apixaban is classified in the Direct Oral Anticoagulant (Factor Xa Inhibitor) drug class, while rivaroxaban sits within the Direct Oral Anticoagulant (Factor Xa Inhibitor) class. Because both drugs share the same classification, they are often considered interchangeable in theory — but clinical outcomes rarely track that cleanly. 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 rivaroxaban has 50,927. 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 rivaroxaban — 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.