Eliquis vs Aspirin – detailed comparison:
Eliquis
It is the brand name of a drug called apixaban, a blood thinner medication that is marketed and produced by Bristol-Myers Squibb, a pharmaceutical company with headquarters in New York City.
This blood thinner is used to lower the risk of stroke caused by a blood clot in people with atrial fibrillation, a serious heart rhythm disorder.
It is also given to treat or reduce the risk of developing deep vein thrombosis (a blood clot that typically occurs in the leg) or a pulmonary embolism.
But, even if it is called a blood thinner, this medication doesn’t actually thin the blood. However, it helps break up or prevent dangerous blood clots which form in the heart or blood vessels.
Uses
This medication is used to reduce the risk of strokes and blood clots in the heart in people with atrial fibrillation who don’t have problems with the heart valves.
Moreover, it is used to reduce the chance of forming a blood clot in the legs or lungs of individuals who have just had hip or knee replacement surgery. Additionally, it is used to treat pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis, as well as lowers the risk of them happening again.
Dosage
The usual recommended dose is 5 mg taken orally two times per day. It typically comes in tablet form.
There are no well-done clinical studies to recommend the use of this medication in children under the age of 18 years.
Side Effects and Precautions
Common side effects may include:
- heavy menstrual bleeding;
- bleeding of the gums when brushing the teeth;
- nosebleeds;
- bruising more easily.
Rare side effects may include:
- chest tightness or pain;
- difficulty breathing;
- signs of anaphylaxis which may consist of – swelling of the face, tongue, lips, or throat;
- headaches;
- joint pain;
- rash;
- brown or red urine;
- severe weakness;
- bleeding that won’t stop;
- dizziness;
- bloody stools;
- coughing up blood;
- vomit which looks like coffee grounds.
You may have an increased chance of bleeding if you use other medications while taking Apixaban. These medications include:
- selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors;
- Jantoven;
- serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors;
- Coumadin;
- any medication that has heparin;
- long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Because it passes into breast milk, nursing women should be instructed either to stop the intake of this blood thinner or to stop breastfeeding.
Also, there are no well-done studies on this medication in pregnant women, however, treatment is likely to increase the chance of bleeding during pregnancy. Hence, it should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit outweighs the potential risks.
Alcohol
It is best not to drink a lot of alcoholic beverages while taking this medication. But, if you choose to drink alcohol, do not drink more than 1 standard drink per day if you are a woman or 2 standard drinks per day if you are a man.
Aspirin
It is the brand name of acetylsalicylic acid that is usually used to reduce minor aches and pains, fever, and inflammation. Also, in long-term low doses, acetylsalicylic acid is used as an antiplatelet for individuals at high risk of heart attack or stroke. Additionally, it is sometimes found in combination with antacids, pain relievers, or cold medication.
The medication work by decreasing the body’s production of enzymes that create pain-related chemicals, thus, substantially reducing the symptoms of inflammation and pain.
Uses
It is used for strains and sprains, headaches, period pains, long-term conditions (like – arthritis), and flu and colds.
A low dose of acetylsalicylic acid is used as a blood thinner to help prevent heart attacks and strokes in patients who have a high risk of cardiovascular problems.
There is also some evidence that it may reduce the risk of developing cancer, especially colorectal cancer.
Additionally, it may be prescribed for children to treat Kawasaki disease or after heart surgery. However, the medication shouldn’t be given to anyone under 16 years old without a healthcare professional’s recommendation.
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Dosage
To treat fever or pain, the usual recommended dose is 325 mg to 650 mg every 4 to 6 hours.
Side Effects and Precautions
Common side effects may include:
- heartburn;
- constipation;
- abdominal discomfort;
- diarrhea;
- fluid retention;
- nausea;
- blurred vision;
- swollen ankles;
- dizziness;
- fatigue;
- ringing in the ears;
- drowsiness.
Rare side effects may include:
- confusion;
- uncontrollable rapid breathing;
- fatigue;
- rapid heartbeat.
READ MORE: Acetaminophen vs Aspirin
Drug Interactions
It may negatively interact with other drugs, especially:
- varicella live vaccine;
- probenecid;
- ibuprofen;
- alendronate;
- ketorolac;
- bismuth subsalicylate;
- cidofovir;
- mescaline;
- ticlopidine;
- alcohol;
- acetazolamide;
- xarelto;
- ibuprofen or naproxen;
- methazolamide;
- pemetrexed;
- enoxaparin;
- sulfinpyrazone;
- heparin;
- warfarin.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Taking acetylsalicylic acid during late pregnancy may cause bleeding during the baby’s delivery. Also, since it passes into breast milk, you should avoid it if you are breastfeeding a baby.
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Bottom Line – Eliquis vs Aspirin
Eliquis (active ingredient – apixaban) blocks the activity of certain clotting substances in the blood. It is prescribed to reduce the risk of systemic embolism and stroke in sufferers with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, as well as prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis, which may lead to pulmonary embolism.
Aspirin (active ingredient – acetylsalicylic acid) was the first of a class of medicines called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These medications work by blocking important enzymes which cause inflammation and trigger the formation of blood clots.
According to a 2012 study on sufferers with atrial fibrillation, apixaban is similarly effective as aspirin, whether or not patients have had a previous stroke.
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References http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1107039 http://www.acc.org/latest-in-cardiology/clinical-trials/2013/07/19/12/07/aristotle https://www.eliquis.com/eliquis/hcp/stroke-risk-reduction-nvaf/efficacy-safety