Xarelto vs. Plavix

About Xarelto and Plavix

What Is Xarelto?

Xarelto is a brand name for Rivaroxaban. It is an anticoagulant medicine that helps in preventing blood clots in the body. In most cases, it is used to treat deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) in those patients who have been diagnosed with hip or knee issues and have undergone surgeries for the same. This medication is also used to reduce the risk of stroke and systemic embolism. It works by restraining the motion of a clotting protein involved in the structure of blood clots. You can find it in tablet form.

What Conditions is Xarelto Approved to Treat?

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Xarelto to treat the following medical conditions:

Stroke and systemic embolism
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
Pulmonary embolism (PE)
Blood clots after hip or knee replacement surgery
Chronic coronary disease
Peripheral artery disease

Make sure to approach a medical practitioner before using this medication.

How Does Xarelto Work for Blood Clots?

Xarelto can reduce the motion of a protein that forms blood clots. It block’s the protein’s capacity to alter prothrombin to thrombin, an essential step in the clotting process.

Xarelto is called direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) because it hinders the clotting process in the blood directly without targeting any other factor. Because it targets the protein directly, doctors can predict its effect instantly without monitoring the blood situation constantly.

What is Plavix?

Plavix is a brand name for clopidogrel. It helps prevent blood clots' structure by reducing platelets in the blood. In most cases, it is used to decrease the risk of cardiovascular diseases. It targets platelets, preventing them from combining and making blood clots. You can find this medicine in tablet form. Take it with aspirin, or consult a medical practitioner before its consumption.

What Conditions are Plavix Approved to Treat?

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Plavix to treat the following conditions:

Peripheral arterial disease
Blood clots in acute coronary syndrome
Blood clots in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)

How Does Plavix Work for Blood Clots?

Platelets are small blood cells involved in forming blood clots. Plavix reduces the possibility of platelet formation and helps your body fight off the clotting process.

In some cases, platelets tend to form blood clots even when you are not injured. If the situation persists, your body might be unable to fight off cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attack or stroke. This medication targets a receptor called P2Y12 and stops its function so that it would not activate platelets, ultimately hindering the clotting process.

Effectiveness

How Effective are Xarelto and Plavix for Treating Blood Clots?

Xarelto and Plavix are effective for treating blood clots; however, they function in different ways. Let’s explore how they are different from one another.

Xarelto treats various blood clots conditions, including pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). It also helps prevent stroke and systemic embolism in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation.

On the other hand, Plavix reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases in those who are prone to suffering from these fatal diseases. It helps prevent blood clots in patients suffering from the acute coronary syndrome.

Xarelto and Plavix are efficient in decreasing blood clots and the complications that come with them. The dosage requirements vary from person to person.

Dosage Information

How is Xarelto Administered for Blood Clots?

In most cases, patients looking for ways to reduce the risk of blood clots are recommended to take Xarelto orally in tablet form. You can consume this medication once a day after food consumption. On average, many doctors and cardiologists recommend using this medication for 3 to 6 months. However, it would help if you always approached your doctor with your medical history to ensure you’re treated accordingly.

Those patients who might have a risk of falling victim to systemic embolism or stroke are also recommended to take this medication once a day after an evening meal. Make sure to approach a doctor before opting for this medication. Don’t prolong the consumption; always stick to the timetable a medical practitioner recommends. Moreover, you should also ensure that you’re vigilant regarding your dosage. Do not miss any, as it might slow your healing process.

It's important to take Xarelto exactly as a healthcare provider prescribes and to not miss any doses. If you miss a dose by mistake or forget to take one, consume it immediately as soon as you remember, preferably the same day.

In some cases, when the patients cannot consume it in tablet form, doctors recommend injecting it in a clinical setting.

How is Plavix Administered for Blood Clots?

In most cases, patients who are looking for ways to reduce the risk of blood clots are recommended to take Plavix orally in tablet form. You can consume this medication once a day after food consumption. Many medical practitioners recommend using this medication for 3 to 6 months on average. However, you should always contact your doctor with your medical history to ensure you’re treated accordingly.

A medical practitioner might recommend a loading dose of 300 mg once a day to treat acute coronary syndrome (ACS), including unstable angina and non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). You might also have to take a maintenance dose of 75 mg once daily for 12 months.

It's important to take Plavix exactly as your doctor prescribes and not miss any doses. If a dose is missed, take it as soon as possible on the same day. Resume the regular dosing schedule the following day.

Side Effects

What are the Most Common Side Effects of Xarelto

The most common side effects of Xarelto are as follows:

Bleeding
Back pain
Headache
Dizziness
Nausea:
Muscle pain
Itching
Skin rash

Note: Not every patient experiences these side effects. Some of these might be less common or more severe than others.

Are There Any Potential Serious Side Effects of Xarelto?

The potentially serious side effects of Xarelto are as follows:

Severe allergic reaction
Spinal or epidural blood clots
Liver problems
Stroke
Kidney problems

Note: Not every patient experiences these side effects. Some of these might be less common or more severe than others.

What are the Most Common Side Effects of Plavix?

The most common side effects of Plavix are as follows:

Headache
Stomach pain
Diarrhea
Bruising
Nosebleeds
Rash
Itching
Dizziness

Note: Not every patient experiences these side effects. Some of these might be less common or more severe than others.

Are There Any Potential Serious Side Effects of Plavix?

The potentially serious side effects of Plavix may include:

Severe allergic reaction
TTP (thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura)
Liver problems
Stroke
Neutropenia
Bleeding ulcers

Note: Not every patient experiences these side effects. Some of these might be less common or more severe than others.

Contraindications and Interactions

Warnings and General Precautions for Xarelto and Plavix

Here are some warnings and general precautions for Xarelto and Plavix:

Contraindications

Xarelto

Hypersensitivity to Rivaroxaban; active pathological bleeding
Severe hepatic impairment
Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Plavix

Hypersensitivity to clopidogrel; active pathological bleeding
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Severe hepatic impairment

Drug/Medication Interactions

Xarelto

Using it with other anticoagulants, antiplatelet agents, or NSAIDs might increase the bleeding risk.
Using it with strong CYP3A4 and P-gp inhibitors might result in an increase or decrease in drug levels.
Use carefully for renal or hepatic impairment

Plavix

Using it with other anticoagulants, antiplatelet agents, or NSAIDs might increase the bleeding risk.
Use carefully for renal or hepatic impairment history of bleeding.
Using it with proton pump inhibitors might decrease its effectiveness.

Food/Beverage/Supplement Interactions

Xarelto

Avoid grapefruit juice. It may increase drug levels.
Avoid alcohol and cranberry juice. They may increase bleeding risk.
Avoid vitamin K supplements. They may reduce its effectiveness.

Plavix

Avoid grapefruit juice. It may increase drug levels.
Avoid vitamin K supplements. They may reduce its effectiveness.
Avoid alcohol and cranberry juice. They may increase bleeding risk.

How Much Do Xarelto and Plavix Cost?

The cost of Xarelto and Plavix can be different depending on various factors, such as the prescription, dose, and insurance coverage. Without insurance, the average retail cost of a 30-day supply of Xarelto can range from $450 to $500, while the average retail cost of a 30-day supply of Plavix can range from $250 to $300.

The popularity of Xerelto and Plavix

According to IQVIA Institute for Human Data Science data, in 2020, Xarelto was the second most-prescribed anticoagulant medication in the United States, with over 23 million prescriptions filled. On the other hand, Plavix was the fourth most-prescribed cardiovascular medication in the United States in 2020, with over 16 million recommended prescriptions.

Conclusion

Xarelto and Plavix can successfully help prevent and treat blood clots. However, they can be different in their mechanism of action, administration, dosing, and side effects. The choice between Xarelto and Plavix will depend on several factors, such as the patient's medical history, specific condition, and risk factors. Always consult a health practitioner to determine which medication best suits your needs.