Two medicines, side by side
Clopidogrel vs rivaroxaban
Clopidogrel and rivaroxaban are both labeled for heart attack and coronary artery disease. Drugs@FDA records approvals of clopidogrel since 1997 and of rivaroxaban since 2011. Pharmacies paid $0.0472 per clopidogrel 75 mg tablet and $0.650 per rivaroxaban 2.5 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. Rivaroxaban's other strengths are brand-only: $19.54 per Xarelto 20 mg tablet. In FDA's classes, clopidogrel is a p2y12 platelet inhibitor and rivaroxaban a factor xa inhibitor.
Check it at the source: the clopidogrel FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 30, 2025); the rivaroxaban FDA label on DailyMed (effective September 10, 2026).
Highlights of the clopidogrel record
Clopidogrel (Plavix) · label of May 30, 2025
DIMINISHED ANTIPLATELET EFFECT IN PATIENTS WITH TWO LOSS-OF-FUNCTION ALLELES OF THE CYP2C19 GENE WARNING: DIMINISHED ANTIPLATELET EFFECT IN PATIENTS WITH TWO LOSS-OF-FUNCTION ALLELES OF THE CYP2C19 GENE See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. Effectiveness of Plavix depends on conversion to an active metabolite by the cytochrome P450 (CYP) system, principally CYP2C19. ( 5.1 , 12.3 ) Tests are available to identify patients who are CYP2C19 poor metabolizers.
Used for
From the label: indicationsPlavix is a P2Y 12 platelet inhibitor indicated for: Acute coronary syndrome – For patients with non–ST-segment elevation ACS (unstable angina [UA]/non–ST-elevation myocardial infarction [NSTEMI]), Plavix has been shown to reduce the rate of myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke. ( 1.1 ) – For patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), Plavix has been shown to reduce the rate of MI and stroke. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- November 17, 1997
- Generic labelers
- 35 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0472 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 6
Highlights of the rivaroxaban record
Rivaroxaban (Xarelto) · label of September 10, 2026
(A) PREMATURE DISCONTINUATION OF XARELTO INCREASES THE RISK OF THROMBOTIC EVENTS, (B) SPINAL/EPIDURAL HEMATOMA A. Premature discontinuation of XARELTO increases the risk of thrombotic events Premature discontinuation of any oral anticoagulant, including XARELTO, increases the risk of thrombotic events.
Used for
From the label: indicationsXARELTO is a factor Xa inhibitor indicated: to reduce risk of stroke and systemic embolism in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation ( 1.1 ) for treatment of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) ( 1.2 ) for treatment of pulmonary embolism (PE) ( 1.3 ) for reduction in the risk of recurrence of DVT or PE ( 1.4 ) for the prophylaxis of DVT, which may lead to PE in patients undergoing knee or hip replacement surgery ( 1.5 ) for […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- July 1, 2011
- Generic labelers
- 20 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.650 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 1
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Clopidogrel label of May 30, 2025, Rivaroxaban label of September 10, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do clopidogrel and rivaroxaban differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, clopidogrel is a p2y12 platelet inhibitor and rivaroxaban a factor xa inhibitor.
How each works, in its label's words: Clopidogrel, “Clopidogrel is an inhibitor of platelet activation and aggregation through the irreversible binding of its active metabolite to the P2Y 12 class of ADP receptors on platelets.”; Rivaroxaban, “XARELTO is a selective inhibitor of FXa.”
Half-life, in each label's words: Clopidogrel, “After a single, oral dose of 75 mg, clopidogrel has a half-life of approximately 6 hours.”; Rivaroxaban, “The terminal elimination half-life of rivaroxaban is 5 to 9 hours in healthy subjects aged 20 to 45 years.”
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: clopidogrel since 2008; rivaroxaban since 2025 (Drugs@FDA).
| Clopidogrel | Rivaroxaban | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Heart attack and coronary artery disease, Angina | Atrial fibrillation, Heart attack and coronary artery disease, Blood clots (DVT and PE), Stroke prevention |
| Pharmacologic class | P2Y12 Platelet Inhibitor | Factor Xa Inhibitor |
| How it works (label) | Clopidogrel is an inhibitor of platelet activation and aggregation through the irreversible binding of its active metabolite to the P2Y 12 class of ADP receptors on platelets. | XARELTO is a selective inhibitor of FXa. It does not require a cofactor (such as Anti-thrombin III) for activity. Rivaroxaban inhibits free FXa and prothrombinase activity. |
| Half-life (label) | After a single, oral dose of 75 mg, clopidogrel has a half-life of approximately 6 hours. | The terminal elimination half-life of rivaroxaban is 5 to 9 hours in healthy subjects aged 20 to 45 years. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | November 17, 1997 | July 1, 2011 |
| First generic approved | January 14, 2008 | March 3, 2025 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 35 labelers | 20 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0472 per tablet (Clopidogrel 75 mg tablet) | $0.650 per tablet (Rivaroxaban 2.5 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -15% | -81% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | A presentation being discontinued |
| Recalls recorded | 6 | 1 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 211,001 | 206,938 |
| 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?
Rivaroxaban label, drug interactionsCoadministration of enoxaparin, warfarin, aspirin, clopidogrel and chronic NSAID use may increase the risk of bleeding [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ].
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What do the labels say about using others of their kind?
Clopidogrel label, drug interactionsPromptly evaluate any signs or symptoms of blood loss if patients are treated concomitantly with other antiplatelet agents [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ].
Rivaroxaban label, drug interactionsAvoid concurrent use of XARELTO with other anticoagulants due to increased bleeding risk unless benefit outweighs risk.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to clopidogrel
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions