Skip to main content
HomeDrug Comparisons
Drug bottle and Pill

Compare Eliquis vs. Xarelto

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Eliquis (apixaban) and Xarelto (rivaroxaban) are both direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs) used to prevent and treat blood clots. Both medications are effective in reducing the risk of stroke and treating conditions caused by blood clots, such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). Xarelto is also FDA approved for other heart-related conditions, such as coronary artery disease and, when combined with aspirin, peripheral artery disease. Eliquis is typically taken twice daily and might have a lower risk of bleeding compared to Xarelto, which is often taken once daily. Neither medication requires frequent blood tests or that you follow dietary restrictions like the traditional blood thinner warfarin (Jantoven) does. Eliquis may be preferable for patients with kidney problems. Common side effects for both medications include bleeding and bruising. Serious risks include life-threatening bleeding.

drug combination

See more from our pharmacists

  • Eliquis (apixaban)
    Xarelto (rivaroxaban)
  • Eliquis (apixaban)
    Xarelto (rivaroxaban)

  • Summary of Eliquis vs. Xarelto

    Summary for Direct-acting oral anticoagulant (DOAC)
    Prescription only

    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.

    Summary for Direct-acting oral anticoagulant (DOAC)
    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 of Eliquis vs. Xarelto

    Indications for

    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
    Indications for

    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 of Eliquis vs. Xarelto

    Pros and Const for Direct-acting oral anticoagulant (DOAC)
    Pros
    •No regular blood monitoring required
    •Can be taken with or without food
    •Approved for both children and adults
    Cons
    •Need to take it twice a day
    •Most common side effect is bleeding
    •Not easily reversible in life-threatening bleeds
    Pros and Const for Direct-acting oral anticoagulant (DOAC)
    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 of Eliquis vs. Xarelto

    Common Side Effects for

    Adults:

    •Any bleeding (up to 15%)

    Children:

    •Any bleeding (up to 36%)
    •Headache (16%)
    •Vomiting (14%)
    Common Side Effects for

    Adults

    •Any bleeding (Up to 28%)

    Children

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

  • Warnings of Eliquis vs. Xarelto

    Common Side Effects for
    •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
    Common Side Effects for
    •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 Eliquis vs. Xarelto

    Learn more about Eliquis
    Learn more about Xarelto

Compare other Atrial Fibrillation and Deep Vein Thrombosis drugs

Aspirin vs EliquisClopidogrel vs EliquisDabigatran vs EliquisEffient vs EliquisEliquis vs BrilintaEliquis vs CoumadinEliquis vs PradaxaEliquis vs WarfarinEliquis vs XareltoHeparin vs EliquisJantoven vs EliquisLovenox vs EliquisPlavix vs EliquisSavaysa vs EliquisTrental vs EliquisAspirin vs AcetaminophenAspirin vs CoumadinAspirin vs IbuprofenAspirin vs MotrinAspirin vs NaproxenAspirin vs TylenolAspirin vs WarfarinAspirin vs XareltoBrilinta vs AspirinBrilinta vs ClopidogrelLovenox vs AspirinMeloxicam vs AspirinPradaxa vs WarfarinVoltaren vs AspirinXarelto vs Warfarin
View More

Browse medications

View All

Research prescriptions and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.