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Compare Xarelto vs. Brilinta

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

Key takeaways

Rivaroxaban (Xarelto) and ticagrelor (Brilinta) are both medications used to lower the risk of heart-related problems like heart attacks and strokes. However, they belong to different medication classes and work differently. Rivaroxaban is a direct-acting oral anticoagulant (DOAC) that prevents blood clots by blocking factor Xa, while ticagrelor is an antiplatelet medication that stops platelets from clumping together. Rivaroxaban is taken once or twice a day, depending on the condition, and is only available as a brand-name medication. Ticagrelor is taken twice a day and has a lower-cost generic version available. Common side effects of rivaroxaban include bleeding and tiredness, while ticagrelor can cause shortness of breath and nausea. Both medications can cause serious bleeding, which can be worsened by certain drug interactions. Rivaroxaban interacts with medications like ketoconazole and rifampin, while ticagrelor should not be taken with grapefruit juice, and both interact with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin).

Xarelto (rivaroxaban)
Brilinta (ticagrelor)
Xarelto (rivaroxaban)
Brilinta (ticagrelor)
Summary of Xarelto vs. Brilinta
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.
Summary for Antiplatelet
Prescription only
Brilinta (ticagrelor) is an antiplatelet blood thinner used to lower the risk of heart-related death, heart attack, or stroke in people with certain heart conditions. It comes as a tablet that's taken by mouth twice per day. It's a brand-name medication only, so a generic version isn't available. Side effects include shortness of breath, bleeding, and nausea.
Indications of Xarelto vs. Brilinta
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

Indications for

•Lowering the risk of heart-related death, heart attack, and stroke in people with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or who've had a previous heart attack

•Lowering the risk of a first-time heart attack or stroke in high-risk people with coronary artery disease (CAD)

•Lowering the risk of stroke in people who've had a previous stroke or a high-risk transient ischemic attack (TIA) (also called "mini stroke")
Pros and Cons of Xarelto vs. Brilinta
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

Pros and Const for Antiplatelet
Pros

•Good choice for lowering the risk of heart-related death, heart attack, or stroke in people with certain heart-related problems

•Can be taken with other blood thinners, if necessary

•Can be taken with or without food

•Tablets can be crushed and mixed with water for people who have trouble swallowing

Cons

•Must be taken twice a day

•Might have to be taken with a daily aspirin

•Can cause serious bleeding

•Not safe for people with severe liver problems
Common Side Effects of Xarelto vs. Brilinta
Common Side Effects for
Adults

•Any bleeding (Up to 28%)

Children

•Any bleeding (36%)

•Cough (16%)

•Vomiting (14%)

•Stomach virus (13%)

•Rash (9%)

Common Side Effects for

•Shortness of breath (14%)

•Bleeding (12%)

•Dizziness (5%)

•Nausea (4%)
Warnings of Xarelto vs. Brilinta
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

Common Side Effects for

•Bleeding

•Risk of heart attack if stopped suddenly or too early

•Shortness of breath

•Slow heart rate

•Sleep apnea
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Key takeaways

Summary of Xarelto vs. Brilinta

Indications of Xarelto vs. Brilinta

Pros and Cons of Xarelto vs. Brilinta

Common Side Effects of Xarelto vs. Brilinta

Warnings of Xarelto vs. Brilinta

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