Key result
Apixaban and rivaroxaban safety for acute VTE receives direct comparison in recent large randomized trials.
Why the study?
No large randomized trial directly comparing the safety of apixaban and rivaroxaban for the treatment of venous thromboembolism was available until recently.
Does apixaban improve safety compared to rivaroxaban in patients with acute venous thromboembolism (VTE)?
Does apixaban improve safety compared to rivaroxaban in patients with acute venous thromboembolism (VTE)?
This brief review discusses the comparison of apixaban and rivaroxaban for the treatment of acute VTE.
Apixaban lowers bleeding risk versus rivaroxaban in acute VTE without loss of efficacy; supports first-line preference and guideline reevaluation.
The direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) apixaban (Eliquis) and rivaroxaban (Xarelto, and generics) are frequently used for treatment of acute venous thromboembolism (VTE) and are usually continued for at least 3 months.1 The other DOACs (edoxaban [Savaysa] and dabigatran [Pradaxa, and generics]) are alternatives for long-term treatment, but they require prior treatment with low-molecular-weight heparin for ≥5 days.2 Until recently, no large randomized trial directly comparing the safety of apixaban and rivaroxaban for treatment of VTE was available.
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A 2026 study conducted a review in Acute venous thromboembolism (VTE). Apixaban vs. Rivaroxaban was evaluated. Apixaban and rivaroxaban are frequently used for acute venous thromboembolism, though until recently no large randomized trial directly compared their safety.
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