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Compare Plavix vs. Arixtra

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

Key takeaways

Heparin (generic name: heparin) and Arixtra (generic name: fondaparinux) are both anticoagulants used to prevent and treat blood clots, but they have some key differences. Heparin is given either through the veins or under the skin and requires frequent blood tests to monitor its effectiveness. It works quickly and has an antidote called protamine in case of severe bleeding. On the other hand, Arixtra is only given as an injection under the skin once a day and does not have an antidote, making it harder to treat serious bleeds. Heparin can be used during pregnancy and is safe for people with pork allergies, while Arixtra is a good option for those who cannot use heparin due to allergies or a history of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). Additionally, Arixtra is available as a lower-cost generic, whereas heparin does not have a brand name. Both medications can cause bleeding and require careful monitoring, but Arixtra is not suitable for people with severe kidney problems or those weighing less than 110 lbs.

  • Clopidogrel (Plavix)
    Fondaparinux (Arixtra)
  • Clopidogrel (Plavix)
    Fondaparinux (Arixtra)

  • Summary of Plavix vs. Arixtra

    Summary for P2Y12 inhibitor
    Prescription only

    Clopidogrel (also known by its brand name, Plavix) is a medication that's used to prevent heart attack and stroke in certain people who are at higher risk for those events. It comes as a tablet taken by mouth once per day and is also available as a generic medication. Since it's a blood thinner, possible side effects include bleeding and bruising, especially if you take medications that interact with clopidogrel (Plavix) like certain antidepressants, anticoagulants, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

    Summary for Anticoagulant
    Prescription only

    Fondaparinux (also known by its brand name, Arixtra) is an anticoagulant (or blood thinner) that's used to prevent and treat blood clots in adults. It stops proteins in your body that typically help clot blood from working. Fondaparinux (Arixtra) is given as an injection under the skin once per day. The dosage typically depends on why you need fondaparinux (Arixtra) and your body weight. The most common side effect is bleeding.

  • Indications of Plavix vs. Arixtra

    Indications for

    For people with a history of a heart attack, stroke, or peripheral artery disease:

    •Heart attack prevention
    •Stroke prevention
    Indications for
    •Prevention of blood clots in the arms or legs (deep vein thrombosis or DVT) in people having stomach, hip, or knee surgery
    •Treatment of blood clots in the arms or legs (DVT) or in the lungs (pulmonary embolism or PE)

  • Pros and Cons of Plavix vs. Arixtra

    Pros and Const for P2Y12 inhibitor
    Pros
    •Works well to lower your risk of having a heart attack or stroke
    •Only taken once a day by mouth
    •Available as a lower-cost, generic form
    Cons
    •Can cause major bleeding or bruising
    •Has many interactions with other medications
    •Might not work as well for people with East Asian descent
    Pros and Const for Anticoagulant
    Pros
    •Only need to use once a day
    •Good option if you have a history of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) or can't use heparin for any other reason
    •Comes in prepackaged syringes for easy administration
    •Available as a lower-cost generic
    Cons
    •Must inject into the skin, which can be uncomfortable
    •Can raise your risk for bleeding
    •Can't use to prevent clots if you weigh less than 110 lbs
    •Not a good option if you have severe kidney problems
    •No antidote (reversal agent) currently available, so serious bleeds from the medication might be harder to treat

  • Common Side Effects of Plavix vs. Arixtra

    Common Side Effects for
    •Minor bleeding (5%)
    •Major bleeding (4%)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Bleeding
    •Irritation around the injection site (e.g., bleeding, rash, itching)

  • Warnings of Plavix vs. Arixtra

    Common Side Effects for
    •Clopidogrel (Plavix) not working as well
    •Bleeding
    •Risk of heart attack or stroke if stopped suddenly
    •Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP)
    •Allergic reaction
    Common Side Effects for
    •Risk of bleeding around the spinal cord during other injections near the spine
    •General risk of bleeding
    •Low platelet counts

  • Prices with our coupons for Plavix vs. Arixtra

    Learn more about Clopidogrel
    Learn more about Fondaparinux

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