Brilinta vs Eliquis: Which Blood Thinner is Right for You?

You’re not alone if you’ve been prescribed a blood thinner by your healthcare provider. According to the National Blood Clot Alliance, around eight million American adults are taking blood thinners. The reasons people take this type of medication vary, but blood thinners are lifesaving medications for these individuals. 

Blood thinners come in various forms, including injections or a pill that’s taken orally. If you’re new to taking this type of medication, you may be wondering what type is best for you – Brilinta vs Eliquis. 

This article will include a blood thinner comparison of these two popular medications. We’ll go over the basics of each type so you can make an informed decision for your health. 

Understanding Brilinta

Brilinta is considered a blood thinner that functions by stopping a person’s platelets from activating. Your platelets are cells that clump together and form clots. By preventing the platelets from getting activated, Brilinta keeps your blood free of clots and thin. 

One of the main reasons Brilinta isn’t considered an anticoagulant is because anticoagulants focus on the proteins in your body that help your blood clot. As a result, anticoagulants increase how long it takes for blood to clot.  

What Is Brilinta Used For?

In addition to thinning blood, Brilinta is used to lower the risk of certain health concerns. Your doctor will let you know which blood thinner options they believe are best suited to your needs. 

Blood Clots

Brilinta is often prescribed to patients who have acute coronary syndrome (ACS). These patients often have stents placed in one or more of their heart’s blood vessels. 

Serious Cardiovascular Events

Other Brilinta uses include treating patients who have suffered major cardiovascular events. Examples of these types of health conditions may include:

• Stroke
• Heart failure
• Heart attack

It’s also prescribed to those who’ve been diagnosed with coronary artery disease (CAD) and who have a higher risk of a stroke or heart attack. 

Side Effects

This medication comes with mild to serious side effects. The side effects some patients might experience are:

• More frequent bruising 
• Shortness of breath 
• Major bleeding 
• Major allergic reaction

There are several instances when a patient shouldn’t use Brilinta. This can include:

• Allergy to the active ingredient ticagrelor
• Previous brain bleeding
• You’re currently bleeding 

Understanding Eliquis 

Eliquis is prescribed by medical professionals to treat certain blood clots. Unlike Brilinta, Eliquis is considered an anticoagulant. The drug functions by making it more challenging for your blood to form clots. 

What Is Eliquis Used For?

Eliquis is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat various health conditions. This medication is recommended for adult use. 

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

DVTs are clots that form in veins deep in your body. These types of clots typically form in your legs. However, they can often form in your arms. 

Pulmonary Embolism (PE)

PEs are blood clots that block the flow of blood to your lungs. A PE typically occurs when a DVT is dislodged and travels along your veins to your lungs. 

PE and DVT Prevention 

Eliquis is an ideal option for preventing a DVT or PE from occurring again. It’s usually prescribed to patients who’ve already received their initial treatments for these conditions. 

Side Effects 

One of the main side effects of Eliquis is that patients experience an increased amount of bleeding. That’s because the medication prevents the blood from clotting. Serious side effects of using Eliquis are:

• Bleeding from your anus or vagina 
• Blood in your feces or urine
• Anemia 

Your doctor will let you know if there’s anything about you that makes Eliquis dangerous for you to take. You shouldn’t take this medication if you experience any of the following things:

• Allergy to the active ingredient apixaban
• Artificial heart valves
• Under 18 years old
• Bleed excessively 

Brilinta vs Eliquis – Which Is Better for Me?

It’s important to explore various options when considering starting a new medication. Brilinta vs Eliquis may be a few of the medications you’re considering. 

Different Mechanisms of Actions

Eliquis and Brilinta are designed to reduce the risk of various health problems. A few of the health problems these medications can assist with are:

• Blood clots
• Heart attack 
• Stroke

However, as we talked about before, the two medications accomplish that in different ways. Eliquis stops your blood from clotting together. Brilinta makes it challenging for your platelets to stick together. 

Different Side Effects 

The Brilinta vs Eliquis side effects vary from drug to drug. The most common side effects of Eliquis include:

• Easy bruising
• Bleeding
• Headaches
• Dizziness

The side effects of Brilinta are a bit different. These can include:

• Back pain
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Indigestion 

Different Methods of Use

The frequency at which these medications are taken is also different. For example, Eliquis needs to be taken once a day. Brilinta is prescribed to be taken twice a day. 

The effects of Brilinta can take a few weeks to take effect. On the flip side, patients can start to feel the effects of Eliquis in a few days. 

Patients taking Brilinta might have their dosage slowly increased. Those prescribed Eliquis might have the same dosage the entire time they take the medication. 

Those taking Brilinta will need to have their blood tested regularly. That’s because the medication can interact with others that the patient is taking. Eliquis doesn’t have this same requirement. 

Different Dosage Amounts

One of the main differences between Eliquis and Brilinta is their dosage. We mentioned that Brilinta is recommended to be taken twice a day. The dosage amount gets adjusted according to the patient’s body weight. 

Eliquis is prescribed in 2.5 mg or 5 mg doses. This medication is taken once a day with food. It’s recommended to be taken at the same time each day.

Get Affordable Medication From Canadian Pharmacy Online

As you can see, there are many things to consider when evaluating Brilinta vs Eliquis. The medication you end up taking depends on your unique health situation. Your medical provider will recommend which medication they believe is best suited to your needs. 

Whether you need help learning about Eliquis benefits or purchasing affordable medication, Canadian Pharmacy Online is here to assist. Our customers in the United States can take advantage of our low prices, saving up to 90% on prescription drug costs. Register for an account and get started with your prescription order today.