apixaban vs vorapaxar
Side-by-side comparison of apixaban and vorapaxar Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
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.
Vorapaxar (Zontivity) helps prevent blood clots if you have had a heart attack or have peripheral artery disease. It works by stopping platelets in your blood from sticking together and forming 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.
Vorapaxar is used to lower the chance of having serious heart problems if you have a history of heart attack or peripheral artery disease (PAD). PAD is when you have narrowed arteries that reduce blood flow to your limbs. This medicine can help prevent heart death, heart attack, stroke, and the need for urgent procedures to open blocked heart arteries.
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.
Vorapaxar is a PAR-1 antagonist, which means it blocks a specific receptor on platelets. This receptor, called protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR-1), normally causes platelets to clump together. By blocking PAR-1, vorapaxar helps prevent blood clots from forming.
- • Bleeding more easily (like nosebleeds or heavier periods)
- • Bruising more easily
- • Bleeding
- 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
No adverse event reports.
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.
Vorapaxar can cause serious bleeding, including bleeding in the brain, which can be fatal. You should not take this medicine if you have a history of stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA), or bleeding in the brain. Also, do not take it if you have active 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.
It is not known if vorapaxar will harm an unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
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How to Read This apixaban vs vorapaxar Comparison
apixaban is classified in the Direct Oral Anticoagulant (Factor Xa Inhibitor) drug class, while vorapaxar sits within the PAR-1 Antagonist (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 vorapaxar has 0. 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 vorapaxar — 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.