Two medicines, side by side
Rivaroxaban vs warfarin
Rivaroxaban and warfarin are both labeled for atrial fibrillation and blood clots (DVT and PE). Drugs@FDA records approvals of rivaroxaban since 2011 and of warfarin since 1954. Pharmacies paid $0.650 per rivaroxaban 2.5 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. Rivaroxaban's other strengths are brand-only: $19.54 per Xarelto 20 mg tablet. In FDA's classes, rivaroxaban is a factor xa inhibitor and warfarin a vitamin k antagonist.
Check it at the source: the rivaroxaban FDA label on DailyMed (effective September 10, 2026); the warfarin FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 29, 2026).
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
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 (Rivaroxaban label of September 10, 2026, Warfarin label of May 29, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do rivaroxaban and warfarin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, rivaroxaban is a factor xa inhibitor and warfarin a vitamin k antagonist.
How each works, in its label's words: Rivaroxaban, “XARELTO 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: Rivaroxaban, “The terminal elimination half-life of rivaroxaban is 5 to 9 hours in healthy subjects aged 20 to 45 years.”; 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: rivaroxaban since 2025; warfarin since 1997 (Drugs@FDA).
| Rivaroxaban | Warfarin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Atrial fibrillation, Heart attack and coronary artery disease, 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) | 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. | 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) | The terminal elimination half-life of rivaroxaban is 5 to 9 hours in healthy subjects aged 20 to 45 years. | 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) | July 1, 2011 | June 8, 1954 |
| First generic approved | March 3, 2025 | March 26, 1997 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 20 labelers | 19 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.650 per tablet (Rivaroxaban 2.5 mg tablet) | $0.093 per tablet (Warfarin sodium 2 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -81% | +2% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | A presentation being discontinued | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 1 | 7 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 206,938 | 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?
Rivaroxaban label, drug interactionsCoadministration of enoxaparin, warfarin, aspirin, clopidogrel and chronic NSAID use may increase the risk of bleeding [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ].
Rivaroxaban label, warnings and precautionsAn increased rate of stroke was observed during the transition from XARELTO to warfarin in clinical trials in atrial fibrillation patients.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What do the labels say about using others of their kind?
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 rivaroxaban
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions