Rivaroxaban
Description
Rivaroxaban is a blood thinner medicine. It is used to treat and prevent blood clot formation in conditions such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT, blood clots that form in the deep veins of the body, usually in the thigh or lower leg), pulmonary embolism (PE, blood clots that block one or more arteries in the lungs), and atrial fibrillation (AFib, irregular heart rhythm that may increase the risk of blood clots). It may also be used to prevent clot formation post knee or hip surgery.
Rivaroxaban may cause side effects such as nosebleeds, dizziness, bleeding gums, headache, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, etc. Consult your doctor if these symptoms last for a long time or become severe. Avoid taking this medicine if you are allergic to it.
Rivaroxaban may be taken with or without food. The dose and duration of treatment will be decided by your doctor based on the severity of your condition. Take this medicine at the same time every day for the ease of remembering. Do not stop taking this medicine without consulting your doctor, as it may increase the risk of blood clots and worsen your condition.
Rivaroxaban is not recommended for use if you have a prosthetic heart valve (an artificial heart valve implanted in the heart to replace a heart valve that is not functioning properly) or active bleeding (due to conditions like lesions, stomach ulcers, surgery, etc.). Consult your doctor if you have liver or kidney problems or any other medical conditions before taking this medicine. Also, inform your doctor about all your current medications to avoid any undesired effects.
Rivaroxaban is not recommended for use in children below 18 years of age as the safety and efficacy data are not clinically established. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or are breastfeeding.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Rivaroxaban
- Nosebleed
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Muscle spasm
- Rash
- Bleeding gums
Uses of Rivaroxaban
What is it prescribed for?
- Atrial Fibrillation
- Deep Vein Thrombosis
- Pulmonary Embolism
- Deep Vein Thrombosis prophylaxis after hip/knee replacement surgery
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe effect of Rivaroxaban can be observed within 2 to 4 hours.
- Duration of effectThe effect of Rivaroxaban lasts for approximately 12 to 24 hours.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendencies have been reported for Rivaroxaban.
- Usage in pregnancy?Rivaroxaban is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant.
- Usage while breast-feeding?Rivaroxaban is not recommended for use while breastfeeding.Consult your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
Allergic reaction
Rivaroxaban is not recommended for use if you are allergic to it. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any symptoms like skin rash, hives (itchy, painful eruptions that sting), itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, difficulty breathing, etc.
Bleeding disorder
Rivaroxaban is not recommended for use if you have active bleeding due to conditions like lesions (a region in an organ or tissue which has suffered damage through injury or disease), stomach ulcers, surgery, etc., as it may further worsen your condition.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Rivaroxaban is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant.
Breast-feeding
Rivaroxaban is not recommended for use while breastfeeding.Consult your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
General warnings
Use in children
Rivaroxaban is not recommended for use in children below 18 years of age as the safety and efficacy data are not clinically established.
Surgery or Operations
Rivaroxaban is a blood thinner medicine and increases the risk of excessive bleeding. Hence, inform your doctor about the use of this medicine before undergoing surgery or dental procedures. Your doctor may recommend you to stop taking Rivaroxaban at least 24 hours before undergoing any surgical or dental procedure. Your doctor may restart the medicine as soon as your condition gets stabilised following the surgical procedure.
Increased risk of bleeding, bruising, and haematomas
Use of Rivaroxaban may make you bleed easily and bleed more, which could result in bruising and haematomas (collection of blood outside of blood vessels). Consult your doctor if you have any injuries that are bleeding abnormally or if you have any painful bruising.
Skin reactions
Rivaroxaban may cause severe skin reactions that cause blistering and peeling of the skin like Stevens-Johnson syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis. Consult your doctor immediately if you experience symptoms such as rashes, hives (itchy, painful eruptions that sting), blisters, or other allergic reactions.
Driving vehicles or operating machines
Rivaroxaban may cause dizziness in some cases. Avoid performing activities that require high mental alertness like driving vehicles or operating machines if you feel dizzy after taking this medicine.
Missed Dose
Take the missed dose of Rivaroxaban as soon as you remember it. If it is time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed one.
Overdose
Never take more than the prescribed dose of Rivaroxaban. Contact your doctor in case of an overdose of this medicine for further guidance.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Indinavir
Amiodarone
Clarithromycin
Apixaban
Defibrotide
Disease interactions
Liver Disease
Rivaroxaban is not recommended for use if you have a moderate and severe liver impairment or liver conditions associated with coagulopathy (a condition that impairs the blood's ability to form clots), as it may increase your risk of excessive bleeding.
Kidney Disease
Rivaroxaban should be used with extreme caution if you have kidney problems as it may worsen your condition.
Cardiac valvular disorders
The use of Rivaroxaban is not recommended if you have a prosthetic heart valve (an artificial heart valve implanted in the heart to replace a heart valve that is not functioning properly), as the safety and efficacy data are not clinically established.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Rivaroxaban may be taken with or without food as instructed by your doctor. Do not break, chew, or crush the tablet in your mouth. Swallow as a whole with plenty of water. Follow all the instructions given on the prescription label/packing insert.
Do not take Rivaroxaban in larger or smaller quantities than prescribed. Take this medicine at the same time every day for ease of remembering.
Rivaroxaban may cause you to bruise or bleed easily. Try to avoid cutting or injuring yourself. Your doctor may recommend frequent monitoring of your haemoglobin levels to ensure you do not have any internal haemorrhage (excessive bleeding). Report any unusual bleeding or bruising to your doctor immediately.
Your doctor may recommend tests to monitor your liver and kidney function during treatment with this medicine.
Keep this medicine away from the reach of children and pets. Ensure that the unused or expired medicine is disposed of properly.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Rivaroxaban works by blocking the action of a substance known as factor Xa that causes the blood to clot. Hence, it prevents blood clot formation and allows the blood to flow through the blood vessels more easily.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Factor Xa inhibitors, Anticoagulants
Schedule
Schedule H
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Accessdata.fda.gov. 2021. XARELTO (rivaroxaban) tablets, for oral use. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 24 December 2021].
Medlineplus.gov. 2021. Rivaroxaban: MedlinePlus Drug Information. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 24 December 2021].
Medicines.org.uk. 2021. Xarelto 15mg film-coated tablets - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 24 December 2021].
Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. Rivaroxaban- Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 24 December 2021].
Information on this page was last updated on 3 Feb 2022
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