Two medicines, side by side
Apixaban vs warfarin
Apixaban and warfarin are both labeled for atrial fibrillation and blood clots (DVT and PE). Drugs@FDA records approvals of apixaban since 2012 and of warfarin since 1954. Pharmacies paid $5.52 per Eliquis 5 mg tablet and $0.093 per warfarin sodium 2 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ and one is a brand and one a generic, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, apixaban is a factor xa inhibitor and warfarin a vitamin k antagonist.
Check it at the source: the apixaban FDA label on DailyMed (effective April 24, 2026); the warfarin FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 29, 2026).
Highlights of the apixaban record
Apixaban (Eliquis) · label of April 24, 2026
(A) PREMATURE DISCONTINUATION OF ELIQUIS INCREASES THE RISK OF THROMBOTIC EVENTS (B) SPINAL/EPIDURAL HEMATOMA (A) PREMATURE DISCONTINUATION OF ELIQUIS INCREASES THE RISK OF THROMBOTIC EVENTS Premature discontinuation of any oral anticoagulant, including ELIQUIS, increases the risk of thrombotic events.
Used for
From the label: indicationsELIQUIS is a factor Xa inhibitor indicated: • to reduce the risk of stroke and systemic embolism in adult patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. (1.1) • for the prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which may lead to pulmonary embolism (PE), in adult patients who have undergone hip or knee replacement surgery. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 28, 2012
- Generic labelers
- 2 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $5.52 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
Highlights of the warfarin record
Warfarin (Coumadin) · label of May 29, 2026
BLEEDING RISK Warfarin sodium can cause major or fatal bleeding [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]. Perform regular monitoring of INR in all treated patients [see Dosage and Administration (2.1) ]. Drugs, dietary changes, and other factors affect INR levels achieved with warfarin sodium therapy [see Drug Interactions (7) ]. Instruct patients about prevention measures to minimize risk of bleeding and to report signs and symptoms of bleeding [see Patient Counseling Information (17) ].
Used for
From the label: indicationsWarfarin sodium tablets are indicated for: Prophylaxis and treatment of venous thrombosis and its extension, pulmonary embolism (PE). Prophylaxis and treatment of thromboembolic complications associated with atrial fibrillation (AF) and/or cardiac valve replacement. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- June 8, 1954
- Generic labelers
- 19 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.093 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 7
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Apixaban label of April 24, 2026, Warfarin label of May 29, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do apixaban and warfarin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, apixaban is a factor xa inhibitor and warfarin a vitamin k antagonist.
How each works, in its label's words: Apixaban, “Apixaban is a selective inhibitor of FXa.”; Warfarin, “Warfarin acts by inhibiting the synthesis of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors, which include Factors II, VII, IX, and X, and the anticoagulant proteins C and S.”
Half-life, in each label's words: Apixaban, “Apixaban has a total clearance of approximately 3.3 L/hour and an apparent half-life of approximately 12 hours …”; Warfarin, “Excretion The terminal half-life of warfarin after a single dose is approximately 1 week; …”
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: apixaban since 2019; warfarin since 1997 (Drugs@FDA).
| Apixaban | Warfarin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Atrial fibrillation, Blood clots (DVT and PE), Stroke prevention | Blood clots (DVT and PE), Atrial fibrillation |
| Pharmacologic class | Factor Xa Inhibitor | Vitamin K Antagonist |
| How it works (label) | Apixaban is a selective inhibitor of FXa. It does not require antithrombin III for antithrombotic activity. Apixaban inhibits free and clot-bound FXa, and prothrombinase activity. | Warfarin acts by inhibiting the synthesis of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors, which include Factors II, VII, IX, and X, and the anticoagulant proteins C and S. |
| Half-life (label) | Apixaban has a total clearance of approximately 3.3 L/hour and an apparent half-life of approximately 12 hours following oral administration. | Excretion The terminal half-life of warfarin after a single dose is approximately 1 week; however, the effective half-life ranges from 20 to 60 hours, with a mean of about 40 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 28, 2012 | June 8, 1954 |
| First generic approved | December 23, 2019 | March 26, 1997 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 2 labelers | 19 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $5.52 per tablet (Eliquis 5 mg tablet) | $0.093 per tablet (Warfarin sodium 2 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -43% | +2% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 0 | 7 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 66,522 | 127,492 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
Do their labels mention each other?
Apixaban label, drug interactionsIn ARISTOTLE, concomitant use of aspirin increased the bleeding risk on ELIQUIS from 1.8% per year to 3.4% per year and concomitant use of aspirin and warfarin increased the bleeding risk from 2.7% per year to 4.6% per year.
Apixaban label, warnings and precautionsAn increased rate of stroke was observed during the transition from ELIQUIS to warfarin in clinical trials in atrial fibrillation patients.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to apixaban
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions