Eliquis alternatives: What can I take instead of Eliquis?

Eliquis doesn't work for everyone. Pradaxa, Xarelto, Savaysa, Warfarin, and Heparin are some Eliquis alternatives. Get the full list here.

By Gerardo Sison, Pharm.D. | Mar. 15, 2022

Key takeaways

Eliquis is used to reduce the risk of stroke and blood clots in people with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. Alternatives like Pradaxa, Xarelto, Savaysa, warfarin, or heparin are available for those seeking different options.
Pradaxa, Xarelto, and Savaysa are direct oral anticoagulants like Eliquis, offering similar benefits but with different side effects and dosing requirements.
Warfarin, an older anticoagulant, requires regular blood testing to adjust dosages, while heparin is typically administered in hospitals via injection or infusion.
Natural alternatives such as ginger, turmeric, and garlic may have blood-thinning effects, but lack the clinical trial evidence of prescription anticoagulants and should not be used as a substitute for prescription medication.

Eliquis is a brand-name prescription drug used to reduce the risk of stroke and blood clots in people with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AFib). The generic name of Eliquis is apixaban. It is part of a group of drugs called anticoagulants and is further classified as a factor Xa inhibitor. Eliquis works by blocking the activity of factor Xa, a protein involved with the formation of blood clots. People with atrial fibrillation are at an increased risk of blood clots and stroke.

Atrial fibrillation develops when the atria, or upper chambers of the heart, are unable to pump blood efficiently. Blood can pool in the heart, increasing the risk of blood clots. Once formed, blood clots can break away from the heart and travel into the bloodstream, potentially clogging a blood vessel in the brain and leading to a stroke.

Eliquis is a commonly prescribed anticoagulant that helps prevent the formation of blood clots. However, if you are experiencing side effects, drug interactions, or poor blood clot control with Eliquis, you might consider other anticoagulant options. You and your healthcare provider can also decide to switch your medication due to other reasons like cost.

Continue reading to learn about Eliquis alternatives and how they compare.

What can I take in place of Eliquis?

Compare Eliquis alternatives
Drug name	FDA-approved uses	Side Effects	Dosage for non-valvular atrial fibrillation	Coupons
Eliquis (apixaban)	Reduction in the risk of stroke and blood clots in people with non-valvular atrial fibrillation Prevention of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) after hip or knee replacement surgery Reduction in the risk of recurrent DVT and pulmonary embolism (PE)	Nausea Dizziness Bleeding events, such as easy bruising, nosebleeds, and bleeding in the gums	5 mg twice daily 2.5 mg twice daily in people with at least 2 of the following: age equal to or older than 80, body weight equal to or less than 60 kg (132 lbs), or serum creatinine equal to or greater than 1.5 mg/dL	Eliquis coupons
Pradaxa (dabigatran)	Reduction in the risk of stroke and blood clots in people with non-valvular atrial fibrillation Treatment of DVT and PE in people who have been treated with a parenteral anticoagulant for 5 to 10 days Prevention of DVT after hip replacement surgery Reduction in the risk of recurrent DVT and PE	Indigestion Nausea Vomiting Diarrhea Bleeding events, such as easy bruising, nosebleeds, and bleeding in the gums	150 mg twice daily, in people with a creatinine clearance of >30 mL/min 75 mg twice daily in people with a creatinine clearance of 15 to 30 mL/min	Pradaxa coupons
Xarelto (rivaroxaban)	Reduction in the risk of stroke and blood clots in people with non-valvular atrial fibrillation Treatment of DVT and PE Prevention of DVT after knee or hip replacement surgery Reduction in the risk of recurrent DVT and PE Reduction in the risk of heart attack and stroke in people with coronary artery disease or peripheral artery disease (in combination with aspirin)	Abdominal pain Dizziness Back pain Fatigue Bleeding events, such as easy bruising, nosebleeds, and bleeding in the gums	15 or 20 mg once daily, with food	Xarelto coupons
Savaysa (edoxaban)	Reduction in the risk of stroke and blood clots in people with non-valvular atrial fibrillation Treatment of DVT and PE in people who have been treated with a parenteral anticoagulant for 5 to 10 days	Rash Anemia Abnormal liver function tests Bleeding events, such as easy bruising, nosebleeds, and bleeding in the gums	60 mg once daily in people with a creatinine clearance of 50 to 95 mL/min 30 mg once daily in people with a creatinine clearance of 15 to 50 mL/min	Savaysa coupons
Coumadin or Jantoven (warfarin)	Treatment and prevention of blood clots in people with atrial fibrillation or heart valve replacement Treatment and prevention of DVT and PE Reduction in the risk of heart attack, stroke, and blood clots after a heart attack	Bleeding events, such as easy bruising, nosebleeds, and bleeding in the gums	Dosage is individualized based on INR values	Warfarin coupons
Heparin	Treatment of atrial fibrillation with blood clots Treatment and prevention of DVT and PE Prevention of blood clots in people undergoing arterial and cardiac surgery Anticoagulation during blood transfusions and dialysis procedures	Bleeding Increased liver function tests	Dosage may vary based on formulation, age, and body weight	Heparin coupons

Other alternatives to Eliquis

Lovenox (enoxaparin)
Fragmin (dalteparin)
Acova (argatroban)
Iprivask (desirudin)
Angiomax (bivalirudin)
Arixtra (fondaparinux)

Pradaxa (dabigatran)

Like Eliquis, Pradaxa is a direct oral anticoagulant FDA approved to treat atrial fibrillation. However, it contains the active ingredient dabigatran. Pradaxa works as a direct thrombin inhibitor that blocks a clotting factor called thrombin to reduce the formation of blood clots. The most common side effects of Pradaxa are indigestion, nausea, vomiting, and bleeding. It is usually given at a dosage of 150 mg twice daily.

Unlike Eliquis, the dose of Pradaxa does not need to be adjusted in people with liver problems. Pradaxa can also be used in children aged 8 years and older.

Xarelto (rivaroxaban)

Xarelto is an oral anticoagulant that is approved to treat atrial fibrillation. Unlike Eliquis, it can be used to reduce the risk of cardiovascular problems, heart attack, and stroke in people with coronary artery disease. It can also reduce the risk of heart problems, stroke, amputation, and decreased blood flow to the legs in people with peripheral artery disease.

Xarelto works as a factor Xa inhibitor that prevents the formation of blood clots. A study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that Xarelto has a higher risk of major bleeding side effects than Eliquis. Both anticoagulants are similarly effective, however, and Xarelto may be preferred over Eliquis due to its once-daily dosing.

Savaysa (edoxaban)

Savaysa has potent blood-thinning effects that make it an appropriate alternative to Eliquis for AFib patients. Like Eliquis, Savaysa works as a factor Xa inhibitor, but Savaysa only needs to be taken once daily instead of twice daily. The most common side effects of Savaysa are bleeding, rash, anemia, and abnormal liver function tests. Savaysa is not recommended in people with moderate to severe liver problems.

Warfarin

Warfarin is a vitamin K antagonist that blocks the liver from using vitamin K to make clotting factors. It is a drug that is generally cheap with predictable blood-thinning effects. Unlike the dose of newer blood thinners, the dose of warfarin may need to be adjusted based on international normalized ratio (INR) values through regular blood tests. Warfarin is approved to prevent blood clots in atrial fibrillation and heart valve replacement. The dosage will vary based on response to treatment.

Heparin

Heparin is a blood thinner that prevents the formation of blood clots. It is typically administered via intravenous injection or infusion. It can also be given as a subcutaneous injection. There is no oral form of heparin, and it is usually administered in a hospital setting.

Natural alternatives to Eliquis

Some foods and dietary supplements may have blood-thinning effects. However, there are no double-blind, controlled clinical trials that have compared natural alternatives to Eliquis and other direct oral anticoagulants.

Ginger

Ginger contains salicylate, the same active ingredient in aspirin. Aspirin works as an antiplatelet to prevent platelets from forming a blood clot. Ginger may help stop blood clotting in a similar way. However, the exact blood-thinning effects of ginger are unclear and more studies are needed.

Turmeric

Turmeric contains the active ingredient curcumin. This spice may have anti-inflammatory and blood-thinning properties. Turmeric can be added as a spice to foods, mixed with hot water to make tea, or taken as a dietary supplement pill. Studies have shown that curcumin may help maintain anticoagulant status.

Garlic

In addition to antimicrobial effects, garlic has been shown to have antiplatelet, blood-thinning effects. Although garlic may help thin the blood and prevent the formation of blood clots, the composition of garlic supplements can affect how well the garlic works. The blood-thinning effects of garlic may also not last long enough to confer benefits.

There may be other natural alternatives to Eliquis. While they may provide some benefits, certain foods and over-the-counter supplements can cause side effects or have drug interactions with other medications you may be taking. Consult with a healthcare provider if you are considering a natural alternative to Eliquis.

How to switch to an Eliquis alternative

Eliquis may be switched to an alternative anticoagulant through specific processes. The switching process may vary depending on the drug Eliquis is being switched to.

Switching from Eliquis to warfarin

Stop Eliquis
At the time the next Eliquis dose would be due, start warfarin and a parenteral anticoagulant
INR levels should be monitored for two days after stopping Eliquis
Discontinue the parenteral anticoagulant when INR is at goal

Switching from Eliquis to heparin

Discontinue Eliquis
At the time the next Eliquis dose would be due, start heparin

Switching from Eliquis to Pradaxa, Xarelto, or Savaysa

Discontinue Eliquis
At the time the next Eliquis dose would be due, start Pradaxa, Xarelto, or Savaysa

Eliquis should only be switched to an alternative under the guidance of a healthcare provider. Consult with a cardiologist or other healthcare provider for medical advice on the most appropriate treatment option.