Xarelto vs. Savaysa for Atrial Fibrillation and Deep Vein Thrombosis: Important Differences and Potential Risks.

Key takeaways

Xarelto (rivaroxaban) and Savaysa (edoxaban) are both blood thinners used to prevent blood clots and strokes, but they have some differences. Xarelto is a direct-acting oral anticoagulant (DOAC) that works by stopping factor Xa, a protein involved in blood clotting. It’s used for a variety of conditions, including atrial fibrillation, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and pulmonary embolism (PE). It can be taken once or twice a day depending on the condition being treated. Savaysa also stops factor Xa but is typically taken once a day and is mainly used for nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) and major blood clots. Unlike Xarelto, Savaysa doesn’t have an antidote for serious bleeding, making it potentially riskier in emergencies. Both are only available as brand-name medications. Neither require frequent blood tests like warfarin, but Xarelto can be used in very young children, whereas Savaysa is not indicated for pediatric use.

Xarelto

(rivaroxaban)

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Savaysa

(edoxaban)

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Summary for Xarelto

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 for Xarelto

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 for Xarelto

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 for Xarelto

Adults

Any bleeding (Up to 28%)

Children

Any bleeding (36%)
Cough (16%)
Vomiting (14%)
Stomach virus (13%)
Rash (9%)

Warnings for Xarelto

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

Summary for Savaysa

Prescription only

Savaysa, the brand name for edoxaban, is an anticoagulant (blood thinner). It’s used to help prevent blood clots and strokes in certain people with atrial fibrillation. This medication can also treat blood clots. The dose is typically one 60 mg tablet by mouth once daily, but it might be lower if you have kidney problems. Since it’s a blood thinner medication, Savaysa (edoxaban) can raise your chance of bleeding as a side effect. As of early 2025, there's no FDA-approved generic version available yet.

Indications for Savaysa

Prevention of stroke and blood clots in people with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF)
Treatment of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) after 5 to 10 days of therapy with an injectable blood thinner

Pros and Cons for Savaysa

Pros

Oral medication that's only taken once a day
Can take with or without food and doesn't interact with any specific foods
Doesn't require frequent blood tests to check how well it’s working and how safe it is

Cons

Not for people with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) whose kidneys work too well
Not recommended if you have artificial heart valves or certain problems with your heart valves
Doesn't have an antidote (an option to reverse serious bleeding)

Common Side Effects for Savaysa

Any type of bleeding

Warnings for Savaysa

Less effective for people with atrial fibrillation whose kidneys work too well
Higher risk of blood clots or stroke when you stop the medication too soon
Bleeding risk
Risk of bleeding around the spinal cord after spinal procedures
Higher risk of clotting in people with triple-positive antiphospholipid syndrome