Plavix vs. Eliquis for Stroke Risk Reduction: Important Differences and Potential Risks.

Clopidogrel

(Plavix)

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Eliquis

(apixaban)

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Summary for Plavix

Prescription only

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.

Indications for Plavix

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

Pros and Cons for Plavix

Pros

Good choice for lowering the risk of heart attack or stroke
Tablet that's taken once a day by mouth
Can be taken with or without food

Cons

Can cause major bleeding or bruising
Has many interactions with other medications
Might not work as well for people with East Asian descent

Common Side Effects for Plavix

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

Warnings for Plavix

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

Summary for Eliquis

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.

Indications for Eliquis

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

Pros and Cons for Eliquis

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

Common Side Effects for Eliquis

Adults:

Any bleeding (up to 15%)

Children:

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

Warnings for Eliquis

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

Prices with our coupons for Plavix vs. Eliquis

Clopidogrel30 tablets / 75mg

$11.70$16.92

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Eliquis60 tablets / 5mg

$344.04$453.19

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Plavix vs. Eliquis

Clopidogrel

Eliquis

Summary for Plavix

Indications for Plavix

Pros and Cons for Plavix

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Plavix

Warnings for Plavix

Summary for Eliquis

Indications for Eliquis

Pros and Cons for Eliquis

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Eliquis

Warnings for Eliquis

Prices with our coupons for Plavix vs. Eliquis

Compare other Stroke Risk Reduction drugs

Browse medications by letter

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Clopidogrel

Eliquis

Summary for Plavix

Indications for Plavix

Pros and Cons for Plavix

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Plavix

Warnings for Plavix

Summary for Eliquis

Indications for Eliquis

Pros and Cons for Eliquis

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Eliquis

Warnings for Eliquis