Dabigatran vs. Xarelto for Atrial Fibrillation and Deep Vein Thrombosis: Important Differences and Potential Risks.

Dabigatran

(Pradaxa)

Xarelto

(rivaroxaban)

Summary for Dabigatran

Prescription only

Dabigatran (Pradaxa) is an anticoagulant (blood thinner) used to help prevent and treat blood clots in adults and children. It's approved for certain conditions, including atrial fibrillation (AFib), where it lowers the risk of stroke. The medication comes as oral capsules and oral pellets that you take by mouth once or twice a day, depending on your condition. Common side effects include stomach upset and bleeding. If serious bleeding occurs, another medication called Praxbind (idarucizumab) can quickly reverse its blood-thinning effects.

Indications for Dabigatran

Adults:

Lower the risk of stroke and blood clots in certain people with atrial fibrillation (AFib)
Treat blood clots in the legs (deep vein thrombosis, DVT) or lungs (pulmonary embolism, PE) - after 5 to 10 days of treatment with an injectable blood thinner
Lower the risk of DVT and PE from happening again in those who finished treatment
Prevent DVT or PE after hip replacement surgery

Children (3 months and older):

Treat blood clots - after 5 days of treatment with an injectable blood thinner
Lower the risk of blood clots from happening again in those who finished treatment

Pros and Cons for Dabigatran

Pros

Doesn't require regular blood tests, frequent dose changes, or diet changes
Has a specific reversal agent (Praxbind) for emergency situations
Approved for both adults and children

Cons

Most commonly taken twice a day
Can raise the risk of serious bleeding
Commonly causes stomach-related side effects like stomach upset and nausea

Common Side Effects for Dabigatran

Upset stomach
Nausea
Stomach pain
Bleeding

Warnings for Dabigatran

Higher risk of blood clots from stopping too early
Bleeding around the spine (after certain spinal procedures)
Risk of bleeding
Not for people with mechanical heart valves
Interactions with other medications
Not for people with antiphospholipid syndrome

Summary for Xarelto

Prescription only

Xarelto (rivaroxaban) is a prescription blood thinner used to prevent and treat blood clots. It can lower the risk of serious problems like stroke, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), or pulmonary embolism (PE). It's comes as a tablet or liquid and is taken by mouth. Your dose depends on why you're taking it, so it could be once or twice a day. The most common side effect is bleeding, which can sometimes be serious or life-threatening. Xarelto (rivaroxaban) is available as both a brand-name and a generic medication.

Indications for Xarelto

Adults:

Lower the risk of stroke and 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))
Lower the risk of DVT or PE coming back after treatment
Prevent DVT and PE after knee or hip replacement surgery
Prevent blood clots in people in the hospital or recently released who are at high risk
Lower the risk of serious heart problems, like heart attack or stroke, in people with coronary artery disease (CAD), taken with aspirin
Lower the risk of blood clots and related problems in people with peripheral artery disease (PAD), taken with aspirin

Children:

Treat blood clots and lower the risk of new clots in children from birth to under 18 years old
Prevent blood clots in children 2 years and older with congenital heart disease (CHD) after a Fontan procedure

Pros and Cons for Xarelto

Pros

No regular blood monitoring required
Available as a tablet or liquid that's taken by mouth
Approved for both children and adults

Cons

Most common side effect is bleeding
Not easily reversible in life-threatening bleeds
Can interact with many medications

Common Side Effects for Xarelto

Adults

Any bleeding (Up to 28%)

Children

Any bleeding (36%)
Cough (16%)
Vomiting (14%)
Stomach virus (13%)
Rash (9%)

Warnings for Xarelto

Higher risk of blood clots if stopped too early
Paralysis in the spine
Bleeding
Interactions with other medications
Risk of pregnancy-related bleeding
Not recommended in people with prosthetic heart valves
Not recommended in people with antiphospholipid syndrome

Prices with our coupons for Dabigatran vs. Xarelto

Dabigatran60 capsules / 150mg

$46.09$215.09

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Rivaroxaban60 tablets / 2.5mg

$37.21$616.30

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Dabigatran vs. Xarelto

Dabigatran

Xarelto

Summary for Dabigatran

Indications for Dabigatran

Pros and Cons for Dabigatran

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Dabigatran

Warnings for Dabigatran

Summary for Xarelto

Indications for Xarelto

Pros and Cons for Xarelto

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Xarelto

Warnings for Xarelto

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Dabigatran

Xarelto

Summary for Dabigatran

Indications for Dabigatran

Pros and Cons for Dabigatran

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Dabigatran

Warnings for Dabigatran

Summary for Xarelto

Indications for Xarelto

Pros and Cons for Xarelto

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Xarelto

Warnings for Xarelto