Anticoagulant Comparison Chart
Which anticoagulant is right for you?
For more information, please visit natfonline.org.
Brand name Warfarin*
*Coumadin® was
What’s the name of the drug
discontinued in
I’m taking?
April 2020. Dabigatran Rivaroxaban Apixaban Edoxaban
Generic Yes No No No No
Is there a generic available?
FDA approval
What conditions is this drug approved
for?
Stroke prevention in those
with heart valve replacements
and/or Afib
Stroke prevention in
nonvalvular Afib
VTE treatment
VTE prevention
VTE prevention in patients already
treated for a blood clot
VTE prevention after hip replacement
surgery
VTE prevention after knee
replacement surgery
Prevention of major CV events in
patients with CAD and PAD*
*In combination with aspirin
Drug image and available Doses vary 75 mg, 110 mg, 2.5 mg, 10 mg, 15 2.5 mg or 5 mg 15 mg, 30 mg, or
or 150 mg capsule mg, or 20 mg tablet tablet 60 mg tablet
dosages
What does this drug look like and how
many different doses are available?
Warfarin is scored and can be cut.
Rivaroxaban, apixaban, and edoxaban
aren’t scored and should be taken
whole or crushed. Dabigatran should
not be crushed.
Onset Slow Fast Fast Fast Fast
How long does it take for the drug to Several days A few hours A few hours A few hours A few hours
work?
Kidney function Yes Yes Yes Yes
Should my kidney function be No Kidney function affects Kidney function affects Kidney function affects Kidney function affects
considered before starting this drug? the dosage the dosage the dosage the dosage
Yes
Food effects Speak with your
Yes
Do I need to take this drug with food? The 15 and 20 mg
provider about vitamin No No
Will the food I eat affect doses of Xarelto should
K intake
how the drug works? be taken with food
and warfarin
Drug interactions
How many other drugs may interfere Many Few Few Few Few
with the way this
drug works?
Routine blood work
Do I need to regularly have a blood Yes No No No No
test to monitor the medication?
Reversal agents Yes
Are there medications to reverse Yes Yes Yes
FDA-approved agent: Not yet
major bleeding? FDA-approved FDA-approved agent: FDA-approved agent:
PCC Reversal agents are
agent: Praxbind Andexxa Andexxa
If FDA-approved agents aren’t Vitamin K, fresh frozen being investigated
(idarucizumab) (andexanet alfa) (andexanet alfa)
available, 4-factor PCC can be used. plasma
Afib: Atrial fibrillation – an irregular heartbeat that can lead to a stroke. PAD: Peripheral artery disease – a condition characterized by narrowing of the
Nonvalvular Afib refers to Afib in patients without mechanical heart valves. arteries that impairs blood flow to the body.
CAD: Coronary artery disease – heart disease that occurs when the arteries PCC: Prothrombin complex concentrate (brand name KCentra®) – an agent
supplying blood to the heart become narrow. used to reverse the effects of certain blood thinners in the event of bleeding.
Major cardiovascular (CV) events: CV death, heart attack, and stroke VTE: Venous thromboembolism – refers to blood clots in the legs (DVT – deep
vein thrombosis) and in the lungs (PE – pulmonary embolism).
This chart is for informational purposes only. Always consult with your healthcare provider before starting a new medication.
Costs of these medications vary. Please contact your pharmacist if you have cost-related questions or concerns.
