Common questions about the different oral medicines used to prevent or treat blood clots

	Warfarin (brand name: Jantoven)	Dabigatran (brand name: Pradaxa)	Apixaban (brand name: Eliquis) Edoxaban (brand names: Savaysa, Lixiana) Rivaroxaban (brand name: Xarelto)
What is it used for?	Deep vein thrombosis ("DVT"), pulmonary embolism ("PE"), atrial fibrillation ("A-fib"), mechanical heart valve, antiphospholipid syndrome.	DVT, PE, A-fib.	DVT, PE, A-fib.
How often do I need to take it?	Once a day.	Once or twice a day, depending on the reason for taking it.	Apixaban – Once or twice a day, depending on the reason for taking it. Edoxaban – Once a day. Rivaroxaban – Once a day (some people may need to take it twice a day for the first 3 weeks).
Do I need regular blood tests?	Yes.	No.	No.
Will the dose need to be adjusted?	Maybe, depending on the results of your blood tests.	No, once you are on a stable dose, you do not need to adjust the dose.	No, once you are on a stable dose, you do not need to adjust the dose.
Could it cause serious bleeding?	Yes.	Yes, but the risk might be less than with warfarin in many cases.	Yes, but the risk might be less than with warfarin in many cases.
Is there a medicine to reverse the effects if I have serious bleeding?	Yes.	Yes.	Yes.
Do I need to be careful about my diet while taking it?	Yes, you need to be careful to eat about the same amount of vitamin K every day.	No.	No, but: If you take apixaban or rivaroxaban, you need to avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice, which can change the way the medicine works. If you take rivaroxaban for A-fib, you need to take it with your evening meal. If you take rivaroxaban (for any reason) and the strength of your pills is 15 or 20 mg, you need to take it with food.
What if I have kidney or liver disease?	OK to take.	Might need to avoid if you have severe kidney disease.	Some people might need to avoid.
What if I take other medicines?	Many medicines can affect the dose of warfarin needed. Avoid aspirin and "NSAID" medicines. Most people can use acetaminophen (paracetamol) for pain or fever.	A few medicines can affect the dose of the anticoagulant. Avoid aspirin and "NSAID" medicines. Most people can use acetaminophen (paracetamol) for pain or fever.	A few medicines can affect the dose of the anticoagulant. Avoid aspirin and "NSAID" medicines. Most people can use acetaminophen (paracetamol) for pain or fever.
Can I drink alcohol while taking it?	How much alcohol you drink in a day can affect your warfarin dose. Limit alcohol intake to no more than 2 drinks per day. Do not binge drink (have many drinks at once).	Moderate alcohol use is OK. Avoid heavy drinking, as this can increase the chance of serious bleeding.	Moderate alcohol use is OK. Avoid heavy drinking, as this can increase the chance of serious bleeding.
What if I am pregnant?	Most people are switched to a different medicine that comes as a shot.	Most people are switched to a different medicine that comes as a shot.	Most people are switched to a different medicine that comes as a shot.

These are some common questions about the different oral medicines used to prevent and treat blood clots. Your doctor will talk to you about which medicine makes the most sense for your situation.

DVT: deep vein thrombosis; PE: pulmonary embolism; A-fib: atrial fibrillation.

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Common questions about the different oral medicines used to prevent or treat blood clots