apixaban vs ticagrelor
Side-by-side comparison of apixaban and ticagrelor Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
Eliquis
Brilinta
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.
Ticagrelor is a drug that helps to prevent blood clots. It is used to lower your risk of heart attack, stroke, and death if you have heart problems.
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.
Ticagrelor is used to lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular death. It is for people who have had a heart problem like acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or a heart attack (MI). It can also help prevent blood clots from forming in stents after a stent procedure. Ticagrelor can also reduce the risk of stroke in patients with acute ischemic stroke or high-risk transient ischemic attack (TIA).
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.
Ticagrelor is a P2Y12 inhibitor. This means it blocks a substance in your blood called P2Y12. By blocking P2Y12, ticagrelor helps prevent platelets from sticking together and forming blood clots.
- • Bleeding more easily (like nosebleeds or heavier periods)
- • Bruising more easily
- • Bleeding
- • Shortness of breath
- 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
- Shortness of breath 3,952
- Heart attack 2,741
- Death 1,714
- Tiredness 1,525
- Using the medicine for something it's not approved for 1,502
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.
Ticagrelor can cause serious bleeding, which can sometimes be fatal. You should not take this medicine if you have active bleeding or a history of bleeding in the brain. Do not start ticagrelor if you are going to have urgent heart bypass surgery (CABG). If possible, manage any bleeding without stopping ticagrelor. Stopping ticagrelor can increase your risk of heart problems.
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 plan to become pregnant. Animal studies suggest a risk to the fetus. Breastfeeding is not recommended while taking ticagrelor.
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How to Read This apixaban vs ticagrelor Comparison
apixaban is classified in the Direct Oral Anticoagulant (Factor Xa Inhibitor) drug class, while ticagrelor sits within the P2Y12 Inhibitor (Antiplatelet) 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 ticagrelor has 11,434. 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 ticagrelor — 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.