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Clopidogrel vs. Eliquis

Clopidogrel (Plavix) is a prescription antiplatelet medication that helps lower your risk of heart attack or stroke. It works by stopping platelets in your blood from sticking together and forming clots. You take it as a tablet by mouth once a day, and it might be used alone or with aspirin in some situations. Since it's a blood thinner, the most common side effect is bleeding.

• Lower the risk of heart attack or stroke in people with acute coronary syndrome (ACS)
• Lower the risk of heart attack or stroke in people who recently had one, or who have peripheral artery disease

• Minor bleeding (5%)
• Major bleeding (4%)

• Clopidogrel (Plavix) not working as well
• Bleeding
• Risk of heart attack or stroke if stopped suddenly
• Blood clotting condition
• Allergic reaction

Eliquis (apixaban) is an anticoagulant (blood thinner) used to prevent and treat blood clots. It can lower the risk of serious conditions like stroke, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and pulmonary embolism (PE). The medication comes as a tablet or liquid and is taken by mouth twice a day. Common side effects include bleeding and bruising. Although generic versions have been approved by the FDA, they might not be available until 2026.

Adults:

• Lower the risk of stroke or blood clots in people with atrial fibrillation (AFib) not caused by a heart valve problem
• Treat blood clots in the legs (deep vein thrombosis (DVT)) or lungs (pulmonary embolism (PE))
• Prevent DVT and PE after knee or hip replacement surgery
• Lower the risk of DVT or PE coming back after treatment

Children:

• Treat blood clots and lower the risk of new clots in children from birth and older

Adults:

• Any bleeding (up to 15%)

Children:

• Any bleeding (up to 36%)
• Headache (16%)
• Vomiting (14%)

• Higher risk of blood clots if stopped too early
• Paralysis in the spine
• Bleeding
• Not recommended in people with prosthetic heart valves
• Not recommended in people with antiphospholipid syndrome