{"id":632592,"date":"2025-06-23T15:29:27","date_gmt":"2025-06-23T19:29:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=632592"},"modified":"2025-10-16T14:47:37","modified_gmt":"2025-10-16T18:47:37","slug":"switching-from-xarelto-to-eliquis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/switching-from-xarelto-to-eliquis\/","title":{"rendered":"Switching from Xarelto to Eliquis: How to do it safely"},"content":{"rendered":"

Xarelto<\/span><\/a> (rivaroxaban) and <\/span>Eliquis<\/span><\/a> (apixaban) are both <\/span>anticoagulants<\/span><\/a> (blood thinners) used for similar purposes. Although they belong to the same drug class, they vary in ways such as dosage, potential benefits, and risks.\u00a0<\/span>If you’ve been taking Xarelto and experience bleeding events often, your healthcare provider may recommend Eliquis. You might also be recommended Eliquis based on newer studies suggesting that Eliquis may be <\/span>more effective<\/span><\/a> than Xarelto. Recent research suggests that people switching from Xarelto to Eliquis may have a significantly reduced risk of stroke compared to staying on Xarelto.<\/span><\/p>\n

Are Xarelto and Eliquis approved for the same thing?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Xarelto is an oral anticoagulant that belongs to a drug class called direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs). The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Xarelto for several uses, including the prevention of stroke in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) and the treatment or prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE), which includes deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). It’s also used to reduce the risk of blood clots in people who have had knee or hip replacement surgery.<\/span><\/p>\n

Eliquis is also a DOAC that works as a factor Xa inhibitor, similar to Xarelto. The <\/span>FDA has approved Eliquis<\/span><\/a> for the same conditions as Xarelto, including stroke prevention in patients with AFib, treatment and prevention of DVT and PE, and prevention of blood clots after hip or knee replacement surgery. Like Xarelto, it\u2019s recommended for people with prosthetic heart valves.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

These medications are similar in their approved uses but differ in dosing schedules, potential efficacy, and side effects. Xarelto is typically taken once daily, while Eliquis requires twice-daily dosing. Both are alternatives to older blood thinners like vitamin K antagonists (<\/span>warfarin<\/span><\/a>) and don’t require the regular blood monitoring that those medications do.<\/span><\/p>\n

What are the benefits of switching from Xarelto to Eliquis?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Some people may experience advantages when changing from Xarelto to Eliquis. Clinical trials have shown differences between these medications that might benefit some individuals, especially when it comes to the risk of blood clots and bleeding.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Lower risk of bleeding<\/span><\/h3>\n

One of the most significant benefits of switching to Eliquis is the potentially <\/span>lower risk of major bleeding as a side effect<\/span><\/a>. Clinical trials show Eliquis users experienced fewer bleeding complications compared to those taking Xarelto.<\/span><\/p>\n

In one study, researchers found that patients with atrial fibrillation taking Xarelto had a higher risk of major bleeding than those taking Eliquis. Specifically, the risk of major bleeding was about <\/span>89% higher<\/span><\/a> for those on Xarelto. For older adults on Medicare with gastrointestinal bleeding risks or those concerned about bleeding risk during surgical prophylaxis, the safety profile of Eliquis might be preferable.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Xarelto vs. Eliquis comparison chart<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

<\/td>\nXarelto<\/b><\/td>\nEliquis<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Standard adult dosage<\/b><\/td>\n10 to 20 mg once daily<\/span><\/td>\n2.5 to 5 mg twice daily<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Major ischemic events rate<\/b><\/td>\n8.6<\/span><\/a> cases per 1,000 people each year<\/span><\/td>\n7.6 cases per 1,000 people each year<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Serious bleeding rate<\/b><\/td>\n7.5 cases per 1,000 people each year<\/span><\/td>\n5.9 cases per 1,000 people each year<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nonfatal serious bleeding rate<\/b><\/td>\n39.7 cases per 1,000 people each year<\/span><\/td>\n18.5 cases per 1,000 people each year<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Typically covered by insurance?<\/b><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Average retail cost for a 30-day supply*<\/b><\/td>\n$821 for 60, 2.5 mg tablets of brand-name Xarelto<\/span><\/td>\n$813 for 60, 5 mg tablets of brand-name Eliquis<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Average cost with a SingleCare coupon*<\/b><\/td>\n$193 for 60, 2.5 mg tablets of generic rivaroxaban<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n$488 for 60, 5 mg tablets of brand-name Eliquis<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
*Average cost at time of publication. Drug prices fluctuate and vary by location.<\/span><\/h5>\n

How to switch from Xarelto to Eliquis<\/span><\/h2>\n

Switching from Xarelto to Eliquis is relatively straightforward. Unlike some medications, there’s no need to taper or gradually adjust the dose when making the switch.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, timing is still important when starting Eliquis after the discontinuation of Xarelto. When making this change, you <\/span>start taking Eliquis<\/span><\/a> at the time when your next dose of Xarelto would have been taken. Doing so ensures you continue to get the blood-thinning benefits without interruption. Eliquis is generally taken two times a day, so be sure to set up reminders to take an additional dose compared to your once-daily routine with Xarelto.<\/span><\/p>\n

The dosage you start Eliquis with will depend on what you were taking Xarelto for. The following table can give you an idea of what to expect when switching dosages.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Xarelto to Eliquis dose conversion chart<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

Use<\/b><\/td>\nXarelto dosage<\/b><\/td>\nEliquis dosage<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nonvalvular atrial fibrillation<\/b><\/td>\n15 or 20 mg once daily with food<\/span><\/td>\n5 mg twice daily<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Prevention of DVT following hip or knee replacement surgery<\/b><\/td>\n10 mg once daily with or without food<\/span><\/td>\n2.5 mg twice daily<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Treatment of DVT and PE<\/b><\/td>\n15 mg twice daily for 21 days, then 20 mg once daily with food<\/span><\/td>\n10 mg twice daily for one week, then 5 mg twice daily<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

While Xarelto is typically recommended to be taken with food, Eliquis can be taken with or without food. Some patients might need a lower <\/span>dose of Eliquis<\/span><\/a> (2.5 mg twice daily) if they meet at least two of these criteria:<\/span><\/p>\n