What are the most common prescription blood thinners?

Asked by: Adrianna Effertz DVM  |  Last update: October 22, 2025
Score: 4.6/5 (36 votes)

Some of the most common blood thinners include apixaban (Eliquis), dabigatran (Pradaxa), edoxaban (Savaysa, Lixiana), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, rivaroxaban (Xarelto), warfarin (Jantoven), aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), dipyridamole (Persantine), prasugrel (Effient), and ticagrelor (Brilinta).

What is the number one prescribed blood thinner?

Warfarin remains the preferred choice for people with liver disease, kidney failure, mechanical heart valves, and certain clotting disorders (thrombophilia). Warfarin offers protection for several days, whereas DOACs have much shorter half-lives.

What is the safest blood thinner with the least side effects?

A 2022 study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found apixaban to be the safest blood thinner among direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), with the lowest risk of gastrointestinal bleeding.

What is the best blood thinner for seniors?

Novel anticoagulants, dabigatran, rivaroxaban and apixaban, are at least as effective as warfarin in reducing the risk of stroke and are safer in elderly patients than warfarin. These agents are also easier to use and unlike warfarin do not require frequent blood test monitoring.

Why do doctors prefer Eliquis?

Eliquis reduces the risk of forming a blood clot in the legs and lungs of people who have just had hip or knee replacement surgery. Eliquis treats blood clots in the veins of your legs (DVT - deep vein thrombosis) or lungs (pulmonary embolism), and reduce the risk of them occurring again.

Blood Thinners for AFib: Do You Need Them?

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What is the downside of taking Eliquis?

ELIQUIS can cause bleeding, which can be serious, and rarely may lead to death. This is because ELIQUIS is a blood thinner medicine that reduces blood clotting.

Why did they take Eliquis off the market?

Eliquis lawsuits claim clinical trials supporting the blood thinner's approval was flawed, leading to patient injuries. The FDA delayed approval for nine months due to misconduct and errors in a trial site in China.

Which blood thinner is safer, Eliquis or Xarelto?

Studies suggest that Eliquis may be safer than Xarelto due to a lower risk of bleeding, despite both drugs being similarly effective for treating acute venous thromboembolism (VTE).

What does Eliquis do to the heart?

Anticoagulants such as Eliquis make your blood less able to form clots. Specifically, Eliquis is approved for use in adults to: prevent blood clots and stroke in people with a type of irregular heartbeat called atrial fibrillation (AFib) treat deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

What foods should you not eat if you are on blood thinners?

Blood thinners: Eat fewer foods with vitamin K
  • Asparagus.
  • Broccoli.
  • Brussels sprouts.
  • Cauliflower.
  • Green onions.
  • Kale.
  • Parsley.
  • Spinach.

What is the new alternative to blood thinners?

The WATCHMAN Implant is a one-time, minimally invasive implant to reduce stroke risk for people with non-valvular AFib (NV-AFib), or AFib not caused by a heart valve problem. The WATCHMAN Implant device doesn't have the same bleeding risks associated with the long-term use of blood thinners.

What can you not drink on blood thinners?

Do not use or only drink small amounts of the following when taking warfarin:
  • Alcohol.
  • Chamomile or green tea.
  • Cranberry juice.
  • Grapefruit juice.

What is the number one drug for AFib?

Heart rate controlling medicines, such as beta-blockers that include Coreg (Carvedilol) and Lopressor and Toprol (Metoprolol), is the best way to treat AFib. These medications can control or slow the rapid heart rate so that the heart can function in a better way.

What activities should you avoid while on blood thinners?

Because you are taking a blood thinner, you should try not to hurt yourself and cause bleeding. You need to be careful when you use knives, scissors, razors, or any sharp object that can make you bleed. You also need to avoid activities and sports that could cause injury. Swimming and walking are safe activities.

How do I get Eliquis for $10 a month?

SAVE ON OUT-OF-POCKET COSTS FOR ELIQUIS. Click above to find out if you are eligible for a Co-pay Card, which lets commercially insured patients pay as little as $10 per month† for up to 24 months from activation, with an annual maximum benefit of $6,400, or activate a Co-pay Card you've received from your doctor.

What is the newest blood thinner called?

Examples of newer oral anticoagulant options include Eliquis (apixaban), Xarelto (rivaroxaban), and Pradaxa (dabigatran). In some cases, injections like Arixtra (fondaparinux) or Lovenox (enoxaparin) may be recommended. In others, an antiplatelet medication, such as Plavix (clopidogrel), may be preferred.

Can you eat eggs on blood thinners?

On the positive side, patients are able to consume many foods considered safe if they are taking any anticoagulants. These are the foods that are considered safe to consume: Meat, fish, and eggs.

Why can't you eat salad on blood thinners?

However, for some individuals on the medication Coumadin, eating salads can be worrisome because many lettuces and trendy greens are rich in vitamin K, which can interfere with this medication. Coumadin is prescribed to reduce the risk of forming blood clots.

What fruits should be avoided when taking Eliquis?

Foods that may increase the concentration of Eliquis® in your system
  • Grapefruit juice.
  • Lime juice.
  • Oats.
  • Mangoes.
  • Wild blueberries.
  • Fish oil.

Why is Eliquis so good?

Based on the results of these clinical studies, ELIQUIS was approved to reduce the risk of stroke and blood clots in patients with AFib not caused by a heart valve problem. For people taking ELIQUIS® (apixaban) for atrial fibrillation: Do not stop taking ELIQUIS without talking to the doctor who prescribed it for you.

What is the safest blood thinner to take for AFib?

For many years, warfarin was the first-choice blood thinner to prevent stroke in people with AFib. But a newer group of medications called direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are now considered the best blood thinners for AFib treatment. DOACs include Pradaxa, Xarelto, and Eliquis.

What can you not mix with Eliquis?

You should alert your doctor when taking Eliquis with the following medications: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) and naproxen (Aleve)

Why is Eliquis being recalled?

Bristol-Myers Squibb is taking this precautionary measure based on a customer complaint that a bottle labeled as Eliquis 5 mg was found to contain Eliquis 2.5 mg tablets. Patients should not stop taking Eliquis without consulting with their physician.

How can seniors afford Eliquis?

Patients who have prescription insurance through Medicare pay, on average, $55 per month. And 5 out of 10 ELIQUIS patients pay $40 or less. Low-Income Subsidy patients may pay $0 to $11.20 per month through the Social Security Administration's Extra Help4 program. Use this link to learn about Extra Help.