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Compare Lovenox vs. Xarelto

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

Key takeaways

Enoxaparin (Lovenox) and Xarelto (rivaroxaban) are both blood thinners used to treat and prevent blood clots, but they have some key differences. Enoxaparin is an injectable medication, while Xarelto is taken orally. Enoxaparin is available in both brand and generic forms, whereas Xarelto is only available as a brand-name medication. Enoxaparin is often used in pregnant women, except those with prosthetic heart valves, while Xarelto is potentially unsafe during pregnancy. Unlike some other blood thinners, neither medication requires frequent blood tests. Both medications can cause serious bleeding, but Xarelto has a higher risk of interactions with other medications.

Enoxaparin (Lovenox)
Xarelto (rivaroxaban)
Enoxaparin (Lovenox)
Xarelto (rivaroxaban)
Summary of Lovenox vs. Xarelto
Summary for Anticoagulant
Prescription only
Enoxaparin (Lovenox) is a blood thinner that's used to treat and prevent blood clots and other clotting-related conditions. It's given as an injection under the skin in the stomach. The dosing for enoxaparin (Lovenox) depends mostly on your weight, but also on why you need the medication. Enoxaparin (Lovenox) is a preferred choice for pregnant women, but it might not be the best option if they have prosthetic (artificial) heart valves. Side effects aren't common, but can include bleeding or bruising at the injection site. Enoxaparin (Lovenox) is available as a brand and generic medication.
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 Lovenox vs. Xarelto
Indications for

•Prevention of blood clots in the arms or legs (deep vein thrombosis or DVT) or in the lungs (pulmonary embolism or PE) in:

•People having stomach, hip, or knee surgery

•People who aren't able to move well

•People with a certain type of chest pain called unstable angina

•Treatment of blood clots

•Heart attack

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 Lovenox vs. Xarelto
Pros and Const for Anticoagulant
Pros

•Works well to treat several types of blood-clotting problems

•Safe to use during pregnancy (except those with prosthetic heart valves)

•Possible medication available that might help work as an antidote (reversal agent) to reverse effects

•Blood tests are available to check how well the medication is working, but they're not required

Cons

•Only available as an injection, which can be uncomfortable

•Might be difficult for some people to inject at home

•Might not be a good option for people with kidney problems

•Can cause a serious low platelet condition called heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)

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 Lovenox vs. Xarelto
Common Side Effects for

•Abnormal liver tests (6%)

•Major bleeding (up to 4%)

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 Lovenox vs. Xarelto
Common Side Effects for

•Risk of bleeding around the spinal cord during other injections near the spine

•Risk of bleeding

•Low platelet counts and clotting problems

•Higher risk of clots in pregnant women with prosthetic heart valves

•Risk of serious breathing problem in infants (gasping 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
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Compare Lovenox vs. Xarelto

Key takeaways

Summary of Lovenox vs. Xarelto

Indications of Lovenox vs. Xarelto

Pros and Cons of Lovenox vs. Xarelto

Common Side Effects of Lovenox vs. Xarelto

Warnings of Lovenox vs. Xarelto

Prices with our coupons for Lovenox vs. Xarelto

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