Skip to main content
HomeDrug Comparisons
Drug bottle and Pill

Compare Trental vs. Eliquis

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

Key takeaways

Pentoxifylline ER (Trental) and Eliquis (apixaban) are both prescription medications, but they serve different purposes and work differently. Pentoxifylline ER is used to treat a condition called intermittent claudication, which is leg pain due to poor blood flow. It works by making your blood less thick, improving circulation. You need to take it multiple times a day with meals, and it is available as a lower-cost generic. On the other hand, Eliquis is used to prevent and treat blood clots, such as those in atrial fibrillation or after surgery. It works by blocking a specific clotting factor called factor Xa. Eliquis is typically taken twice daily and does not yet have a generic version available on the market. While both medications can increase bleeding risk, Eliquis is specifically noted for its potential to cause severe bleeding and requires careful monitoring if you stop taking it suddenly.

  • Pentoxifylline er
    Eliquis (apixaban)
  • Pentoxifylline er
    Eliquis (apixaban)

  • Summary of Trental vs. Eliquis

    Summary for Hemorrheologic agent
    Prescription only

    Pentoxifylline ER (extended-release) is used to treat a condition called intermittent claudication. This happens when you feel leg pain and cramps after walking or exercising due to blockages in your blood vessels. Pentoxifylline ER can improve symptoms by causing better blood flow, but it needs to be taken multiple times a day. It's also only available as extended-release tablets. Some side effects include nausea and indigestion. Pentoxifylline ER can interact with other medications, and has warnings for people who take blood thinning medications or have a higher risk of bleeding.

    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.

  • Indications of Trental vs. Eliquis

    Indications for
    •Intermittent claudication (pain in your legs when you walk or exercise)
    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

  • Pros and Cons of Trental vs. Eliquis

    Pros and Const for Hemorrheologic agent
    Pros
    •Available as a lower-cost generic medication
    •Can improve pain in your legs due to exercise
    •An option to treat symptoms while waiting for surgery or other therapies
    •Benefits have been shown for as long as 6 months of use
    Cons
    •Might need to be taken multiple times a day
    •Can take 2 weeks or longer before you see improvement in your symptoms
    •Shouldn't be taken if you had a reaction to medications such as caffeine, theophylline, or theobromine
    •Might raise bleeding risk
    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

  • Common Side Effects of Trental vs. Eliquis

    Common Side Effects for
    •Indigestion (3%)
    •Nausea (2%)
    •Dizziness (2%)
    •Vomiting (1%)
    •Headache (1%)
    Common Side Effects for

    Adults:

    •Any bleeding (up to 15%)

    Children:

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

  • Warnings of Trental vs. Eliquis

    Common Side Effects for
    •Higher bleeding risk
    •Interactions with other medications
    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

  • Prices with our coupons for Trental vs. Eliquis

    Learn more about Pentoxifylline er
    Learn more about Eliquis

Compare other Peripheral Artery Disease and Atrial Fibrillation drugs

Trental vs EliquisAggrenox vs XareltoAspirin vs EliquisAspirin vs XareltoBrilinta vs HeparinClopidogrel vs EliquisDabigatran vs EliquisEffient vs BrilintaEffient vs EliquisEffient vs XareltoEliquis vs BrilintaEliquis vs CoumadinEliquis vs PradaxaEliquis vs WarfarinEliquis vs XareltoHeparin vs EliquisHeparin vs XareltoJantoven vs EliquisLovenox vs ArixtraLovenox vs AspirinLovenox vs CoumadinLovenox vs EliquisLovenox vs HeparinLovenox vs SavaysaLovenox vs XareltoPlavix vs EliquisPlavix vs XareltoSavaysa vs EliquisXarelto vs BrilintaXarelto vs Savaysa
View More

Browse medications

View All

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