Eliquis vs Xarelto: Which Medication Is Better for You

Annually, approximately 795,000 Americans have a stroke. Over 600,000 of those are new or first-time strokes. Ischemic strokes are the most prevalent, with 87% of all strokes resulting from a blood clot or blockage. 

Atrial fibrillation, heart arrhythmias, and surgeries can increase your risk for a blood clot and stroke. Besides lifestyle changes, medication is one of the most widely used treatments to prevent strokes. Have you heard of the Eliquis vs Xarelto debate? 

Both are widely used medications that may have high price tags associated. Before refilling your prescription or chatting with a doctor, read our complete guide on Eliquis vs Xarelto to find out the similarities, differences, and how you can save money on your prescriptions!

Who Needs Blood Thinners?

A blood thinner is a medication that reduces blood clots or the chances of blood clotting. Blood clots are a natural process that helps wound healing but can quickly turn dangerous. 

When blood clots form in arteries or veins, they can travel to organs, such as your heart or brain. If they block the blood supply, it results in a stroke or heart attack and could lead to death or disability. There are several risk factors that increase your chances of blood clots, including:

• Atrial fibrillation
• Arrhythmias
• Atherosclerosis
• Peripheral artery disease

Lifestyle choices can predispose you to higher blood clot risks, such as sedentary behavior and poor diet or exercise, resulting in weight gain. Even medication and certain surgeries, like total hip replacements, place an individual at a higher likelihood of clotting. 

What Is Eliquis?

Eliquis is a prescription medication used for blood clotting. Some of the medical diagnoses you will often find in people who use Eliquis are:

• Atrial fibrillation
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
• Pulmonary embolism (PE)
• Prevention of increased risk or recurring DVT or PE

It can be used temporarily or long-term, such as in the case of using Eliquis in prep for hip replacement surgery. Eliquis contains the active ingredient apixaban and is available in 2.5 mg and 5 mg dosages. 

How Much Does Eliquis Cost?

In the United States, Eliquis prices can tally over $472, and tablets cost an average of $7.87. In Canada, you can save upwards of 80% through an online pharmacy.

Through PricePro Pharmacy, Eliquis costs approximately $3.08 per tablet. A 60-day supply could save you nearly $300, with prices around $185.

What Is Xarelto?

Xarelto is another brand-name anticoagulant prescription drug. Some of Xarelto's uses include reducing stroke risk, preventing DVTs or PEs, and reducing cardiac complications. You may see Xarelto prescribed for: 

• Atrial fibrillation
• Venous thromboembolism
• Coronary artery disease
• Peripheral artery disease

Xarelto is also sometimes used in children with venous thromboembolism or congenital heart diseases. It contains rivaroxaban, a 10a inhibitor, and has four prescription strengths ranging from 2.5 mg to 20 mg. 

How Much Does Xarelto Cost?

Without insurance, Xarelto costs in the United States can increase to $1,411.59. Even with insurance, you may be left with high monthly prescription costs. 

A 90-day Xarelto supply from PricePro Pharmacy costs approximately $449. The price per Xarelto tablet equals $4.98 for a 20 mg prescription. 

Eliquis vs Xarelto

Eliquis and Xarelto have several similarities, including their primary use as an anticoagulant. They both belong to a class of drugs known as anticoagulants or 10a inhibitors that help prevent blood clots from forming and increase your risk of stroke, heart attack, or other complications. 

They are both administered in tablet form and have similar side effects and risks, including bleeding and bruising. Xarelto's indications differ slightly.

A physician may prescribe Xarelto for patients admitted with an acute illness or those who have chronic illnesses such as coronary artery disease and peripheral artery disease. Xarelto's prices are also slightly higher, and no generic option is available. 

Generic Eliquis was recently approved by the FDA. It has not hit the market yet, and you will likely not see generic versions until 2023 at the earliest. However, with the approval, drug prices at that time could be slashed by 80% to 85%. 

Eliquis vs Xarelto Studies

Recent studies looked at the risk of bleeding or hemorrhaging while taking Eliquis or Xarelto. The researchers looked at patients 65 and older with atrial fibrillation. The incidence of hemorrhagic and ischemic events was higher with patients taking rivaroxaban. 

Another comprehensive study looked at thousands of participants taking apixaban, rivaroxaban, and warfarin for atrial fibrillation. The researchers found there were no significant differences between the three drugs, and all were effective. 

There were some slight differences in patients taking more than eight drugs. In this patient clientele, there were higher stroke and mortality risks with patients taking apixaban. 

Is Eliquis or Xarelto Right for You?

Ultimately, Eliquis and Xarelto are two effective medications to help with blood clot concerns. You will need a prescription, requiring a consultation with a licensed medical provider. If you have concerns regarding prices, talk to your physician about insurance options or discount codes. 

Yet, prices in the United States are higher than in most countries, including Canada. Visiting an online pharmacy in Canada can save you hundreds of dollars, and there are more discounts you can activate. 

Finding Affordable Medication

When debating between Eliquis vs Xarelto, they are both used for patients with atrial fibrillation, previous DVTs, and more. You may save more money with Eliquis than Xarelto, and both do not have generic options available for purchase at this time. 

Insurance and discount codes can save you some money in the United States, but prices are still often unaffordable for many. Instead, PricePro Pharmacy offers affordable and high-quality medication. 

The process is simple. You can upload your prescription, select your dosage, and fill out shipping and billing information. Check out our medications to get started!

Works Cited

https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/STROKEAHA.120.029541?cookieSet=1

https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/facts.htm#:~:text=Stroke%20statistics,-In%202020%2C%201&text=Every%20year%2C%20more%20than%20795%2C000,are%20first%20or%20new%20strokes.&text=About%20185%2C000%20strokes%E2%80%94nearly%201,have%20had%20a%20previous%20stroke.

https://www.goodrx.com/eliquis/fda-approves-first-generics-for-blood-thinner-eliquis

https://www.healthline.com/health/drugs/xarelto#_noHeaderPrefixedContent

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2787319

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/eliquis#about

https://www.pricepropharmacy.com/product/eliquis/

https://www.pricepropharmacy.com/product/xarelto/

https://www.pricepropharmacy.com/products/

https://www.verywellhealth.com/overview-blood-clots-1745326