Xarelto Tablet (Rivaroxaban) | Anticoagulant Used to Prevent and Treat Blood Clots

Precaution

Xarelto should be used carefully because it reduces blood clotting and can cause serious or potentially life-threatening bleeding.

• Tell your doctor if you have active bleeding or a history of significant bleeding.
• Inform your healthcare professional about kidney or liver disease before starting treatment.
• Tell your doctor if you have a stomach or intestinal ulcer or another condition that may increase bleeding risk.
• Inform your doctor about all prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, supplements, and herbal products.
• Do not start or stop aspirin, NSAIDs, antiplatelet medicines, or other anticoagulants without medical advice.
• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take rivaroxaban before surgery, dental treatment, or another invasive procedure.
• Special precautions are required before spinal or epidural anesthesia or spinal puncture because bleeding around the spine can occur.
• Seek medical attention for unusual or prolonged bleeding, excessive bruising, blood in urine or stool, black stools, vomiting blood, or coughing up blood.
• Tell your healthcare professional if you have recently experienced a serious fall or head injury.
• Do not stop Xarelto on your own. Depending on the indication, premature discontinuation may increase the risk of blood clots and stroke.
• Xarelto is not recommended for patients with prosthetic heart valves according to prescribing information.
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding require specific medical assessment because anticoagulant treatment can present important risks. Discuss pregnancy or breastfeeding with your healthcare professional before treatment.

Usage

Xarelto Tablet should be taken exactly as prescribed by your doctor. The dose, frequency, and duration depend on the condition being treated and factors such as kidney function.

Some rivaroxaban strengths should be taken with food, while other strengths may be taken with or without food. Follow the instructions provided for your specific strength and treatment regimen rather than applying the same instructions to every Xarelto tablet.

Swallow the tablet as directed. Do not change the dose, stop treatment, or take extra tablets unless instructed by your healthcare professional.

If you miss a dose, follow the missed-dose instructions provided for your specific treatment regimen. Do not take additional doses without medical advice.

Uses

1. Atrial Fibrillation

Rivaroxaban is used to reduce the risk of stroke and systemic embolism in adults with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation can increase the risk of blood clot formation, which may lead to stroke.

2. Deep Vein Thrombosis

Xarelto is used to treat deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot that develops in a deep vein, commonly in the leg. It may also be used to reduce the risk of another DVT after initial treatment.

3. Pulmonary Embolism

Rivaroxaban is used to treat pulmonary embolism (PE), in which a blood clot travels to and blocks a blood vessel in the lungs. It can also be used to reduce the risk of recurrent PE according to the prescribed treatment regimen.

4. Prevention of Certain Blood Clots After Hip or Knee Replacement

Xarelto may be prescribed to reduce the risk of DVT following hip or knee replacement surgery.

5. Certain Coronary Artery Disease or Peripheral Artery Disease Regimens

Rivaroxaban is also used in specific treatment regimens for selected adults with coronary artery disease or peripheral artery disease to reduce the risk of certain cardiovascular events. The appropriate regimen is determined by a healthcare professional.

Side Effects

Xarelto reduces blood clotting, bleeding is the most important adverse effect associated with rivaroxaban.

Common Side Effects

Possible side effects may include:

• Bleeding or easy bruising
• Nosebleeds
• Gum bleeding
• Heavy menstrual bleeding
• Anemia
• Nausea
• Abdominal discomfort
• Dizziness or weakness associated with blood loss

Serious Side Effects

Seek prompt medical attention if you experience:

• Bleeding that does not stop
• Large or unexplained bruises
• Red, pink, or brown urine
• Red or black stools
• Vomiting blood or material resembling coffee grounds
• Coughing up blood
• Severe or persistent headache
• Severe weakness, dizziness, or fainting
• Severe abdominal pain
• Significant bleeding following an injury

Spinal or epidural bleeding is a rare but serious complication associated with spinal procedures while taking anticoagulants. Symptoms such as severe back pain, leg weakness, numbness or tingling, or difficulty controlling the bladder or bowel require urgent medical evaluation.

FAQs

1. What is Xarelto Tablet?

Xarelto Tablet contains rivaroxaban, an oral anticoagulant that helps reduce blood clot formation by inhibiting factor Xa.

2. What is Xarelto Tablet used for?

Xarelto is used for several conditions involving blood clots, including certain cases of nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), and prevention of certain blood clots after hip or knee replacement surgery.

3. How does Rivaroxaban work?

Rivaroxaban directly inhibits factor Xa, a protein involved in the blood-clotting process. This reduces thrombin generation and decreases the formation of blood clots.

4. Is Xarelto a blood thinner?

Xarelto is commonly called a blood thinner, although it does not actually thin the blood. It reduces the body's ability to form blood clots.

5. How should Xarelto Tablet be taken?

Take Xarelto exactly as prescribed by your doctor. The dose and administration instructions depend on the medical condition and tablet strength.

6. Should Xarelto be taken with food?

Some Xarelto doses should be taken with food, while other doses may be taken with or without food. Follow the instructions provided for your specific strength and treatment regimen.

7. What are the common side effects of Xarelto?

Possible side effects include bleeding, easy bruising, nosebleeds, gum bleeding, anemia, nausea, abdominal discomfort, weakness, and dizziness.

8. What are the serious side effects of Xarelto?

Serious effects may include severe or uncontrolled bleeding, blood in the urine or stool, vomiting blood, coughing up blood, severe headache, fainting, or other symptoms associated with significant blood loss.

Interactions

Xarelto can interact with medicines that affect blood clotting or alter the way rivaroxaban is processed by the body. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about all medicines, supplements, and herbal products you use.

Other Anticoagulants

Combining rivaroxaban with other anticoagulants such as warfarin, heparin, or another direct oral anticoagulant can increase bleeding risk. Such combinations should only be used when specifically directed during a planned transition or treatment strategy.

Antiplatelet Medicines

Medicines such as aspirin, clopidogrel, and other antiplatelet agents can increase bleeding risk when combined with rivaroxaban. Your doctor should determine whether these medicines need to be used together.

NSAIDs

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and similar medicines may increase the risk of bleeding. Check with a healthcare professional before taking these medicines while using Xarelto.

Strong CYP3A4 and P-gp Inhibitors

Certain medicines that strongly inhibit both CYP3A4 and P-glycoprotein can increase rivaroxaban exposure and may increase bleeding risk. Your healthcare professional should review these medicines before treatment.

Strong CYP3A4 and P-gp Inducers

Medicines that strongly induce CYP3A4 and P-glycoprotein can reduce rivaroxaban exposure and may reduce its anticoagulant effect. These combinations may need to be avoided depending on the clinical situation.

Herbal Products and Supplements

Tell your doctor or pharmacist about herbal products, vitamins, and supplements before using them with Xarelto. Some products may affect bleeding risk or interact with medicines.