Two medicines, side by side
Clopidogrel vs warfarin
Clopidogrel is labeled for heart attack and coronary artery disease and angina; warfarin for blood clots (dvt and pe) and atrial fibrillation. Their labels share no use, so they are not alternatives to each other. Drugs@FDA records approvals of clopidogrel since 1997 and of warfarin since 1954. Pharmacies paid $0.0472 per clopidogrel 75 mg tablet and $0.093 per warfarin sodium 2 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, clopidogrel is a p2y12 platelet inhibitor and warfarin a vitamin k antagonist.
Check it at the source: the clopidogrel FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 30, 2025); the warfarin FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 29, 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 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 (Clopidogrel label of May 30, 2025, Warfarin label of May 29, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do clopidogrel and warfarin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, clopidogrel is a p2y12 platelet inhibitor and warfarin a vitamin k antagonist.
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.”; 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: Clopidogrel, “After a single, oral dose of 75 mg, clopidogrel has a half-life of approximately 6 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: clopidogrel since 2008; warfarin since 1997 (Drugs@FDA).
| Clopidogrel | Warfarin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Heart attack and coronary artery disease, Angina | Blood clots (DVT and PE), Atrial fibrillation |
| Pharmacologic class | P2Y12 Platelet Inhibitor | Vitamin K Antagonist |
| 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. | 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) | After a single, oral dose of 75 mg, clopidogrel has a half-life of approximately 6 hours. | 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) | November 17, 1997 | June 8, 1954 |
| First generic approved | January 14, 2008 | March 26, 1997 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 35 labelers | 19 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0472 per tablet (Clopidogrel 75 mg tablet) | $0.093 per tablet (Warfarin sodium 2 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -15% | +2% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 6 | 7 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 211,001 | 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?
Clopidogrel label, drug interactionsConsider use of parenteral antiplatelet agent. ( 7.3 ) Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), warfarin, selective serotonin and serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs, SNRIs):
Warfarin label, drug interactionsDrug Class: Antiplatelet Agents; Specific Drugs: aspirin, cilostazol, clopidogrel, dipyridamole, prasugrel, ticlopidine
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) ].
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to clopidogrel
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions