Key takeaways
Prasugrel (Effient) and Xarelto (rivaroxaban) are both blood thinners, but they work in different ways and are used for different conditions. Prasugrel is a P2Y12 inhibitor that prevents platelets from clumping together, mainly used for people who have had a stent placed after a heart attack. Xarelto is a direct-acting oral anticoagulant (DOAC) that blocks factor Xa, a protein involved in blood clotting, and is used to treat and prevent various types of blood clots, including those in the legs and lungs, and to lower the risk of stroke in people with atrial fibrillation. Prasugrel is available as a generic, while Xarelto is only available as a brand-name medication. Prasugrel is typically taken once a day, whereas Xarelto's dosing can vary from once to twice a day depending on the condition being treated. Both medications carry a risk of bleeding and have a higher risk of heart attack if stopped suddenly.
