Xarelto

Pronunciation: RIV-a-ROX-a-ban
Generic Name: Rivaroxaban
Brand Name: Xarelto

Do not stop taking Xarelto without checking with your doctor. This may increase the risk of developing a blood clot, including stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation. If you need to stop taking Xarelto, follow your doctor's directions carefully.

Tell your doctor you use Xarelto before you have any type of spinal or epidural procedure. Patients who have these procedures while they use Xarelto are at risk of serious bleeding problems on or near the spine. This could result in long-term or permanent paralysis.

The risk is increased in patients who have a certain type of epidural catheter. It is also increased in patients with a history of traumatic or repeated epidural or spinal puncture, a deformed spine, or spinal surgery. It is also increased in patients who use medicines that may affect blood clotting, such as other anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), aspirin, platelet inhibitors (eg, clopidogrel), and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, ibuprofen).

If you have a spinal or epidural procedure while you use Xarelto, tell your doctor at once if you notice any symptoms of nerve problems (eg, numbness [especially in the legs and feet], tingling, muscle weakness, paralysis).

Xarelto is used for:

Preventing blood clots in patients who have had knee or hip replacement surgery. It is also used to reduce the risk of stroke and serious blood clots in certain patients with atrial fibrillation. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Xarelto is a direct factor Xa inhibitor. It works by blocking the formation of blood clots.

Do NOT use Xarelto if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Xarelto


• you have certain types of abnormal bleeding (eg, active major bleeding)


• you have severe kidney problems, moderate to severe liver problems, or bleeding problems caused by liver disease


• you are taking abciximab, alteplase, other anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), boceprevir, carbamazepine, conivaptan, direct thrombin inhibitors (eg, dabigatran, desirudin), eptifibatide, hydantoins (eg, phenytoin), itraconazole, ketoconazole, medicines containing indinavir or ritonavir, nelfinavir, posaconazole, phenobarbital, rifamycins (eg, rifampin), saquinavir, St. John's wort, telaprevir, tirofiban, or voriconazole

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Xarelto:

Some medical conditions may interact with Xarelto. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are able to become pregnant


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances


• if you have a history of bleeding problems; high blood pressure; blood vessel problems (especially in the eyes, brain, or spinal column); recent eye, brain, or spinal column surgery; or kidney or liver problems


• if you have a history of a stroke, especially if it occurred within the last 6 months


• if you have an active or recent stomach or bowel ulcer, or certain rare hereditary problems (Lapp lactase deficiency, glucose-galactose malabsorption)


• if you are at increased risk of bleeding


• if you have kidney problems and are taking amiodarone, azithromycin, chloramphenicol, cimetidine, diltiazem, dronedarone, erythromycin, felodipine, quinidine, ranolazine, or verapamil

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Xarelto. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Abciximab, alteplase, other anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), aspirin, direct thrombin inhibitors (eg, dabigatran, desirudin), eptifibatide, factor Xa inhibitors (eg, enoxaparin), heparin, NSAIDs (eg, ibuprofen), platelet inhibitors (eg, clopidogrel, prasugrel, ticlopidine), or tirofiban because the risk of bleeding may be increased


• Boceprevir, clarithromycin, conivaptan, itraconazole, ketoconazole, medicines containing indinavir or ritonavir, nelfinavir, posaconazole, saquinavir, telaprevir, or voriconazole because they may increase the risk of Xarelto's side effects, such as bleeding


• Carbamazepine, hydantoins (eg, phenytoin), phenobarbital, rifamycins (eg, rifampin), or St. John's wort because they may decrease Xarelto's effectiveness

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Xarelto may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Xarelto:

Use Xarelto as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Xarelto comes with an extra patient information sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it carefully. Read it again each time you get Xarelto refilled.


• If you are taking Xarelto for atrial fibrillation: Take Xarelto by mouth with your evening meal, unless your doctor tells you otherwise.


• If you are taking Xarelto after knee or hip surgery: Take Xarelto by mouth with or without food, unless your doctor tells you otherwise.


• Be sure to take Xarelto for the full course of treatment. If you do not, you may be at increased risk of developing blood clots. Keep taking it even if you feel better in a few days.


• If you miss a dose of Xarelto, take it as soon as possible on the same day you missed the dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once or on the same day.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Xarelto.

Important safety information:

• Do not stop taking Xarelto without checking with your doctor. This may increase the risk of developing a blood clot, including stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation. If you need to stop taking Xarelto, follow your doctor's directions carefully.


• When your medicine supply is low, get more from your doctor or pharmacist as soon as you can.


• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Xarelto before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.


• If you have any type of spinal or epidural procedure while you are taking Xarelto, you may be at risk of serious bleeding problems on or near the spine, especially if you are also taking aspirin, NSAIDs (eg, ibuprofen), or platelet inhibitors (eg, clopidogrel). This could result in long-term or permanent paralysis. Tell your doctor at once if you notice any symptoms of nerve problems (eg, numbness [especially in the legs and feet], tingling, muscle weakness, paralysis).


• Lab tests, including kidney function, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and blood pressure, may be performed while you use Xarelto. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.


• Use Xarelto with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.


• Xarelto should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: It is not known if Xarelto can cause harm to the fetus. If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Xarelto while you are pregnant. It is not known if Xarelto is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Xarelto.

Possible side effects of Xarelto:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Mild bleeding.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bloody or black, tarry stools; coughing up blood; dark urine; fever, chills, or sore throat; pain or new drainage at wound sites; pink or red urine; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; stiff, sore, hot, or painful joint; symptoms of anemia (eg, unusual paleness, severe or persistent headache, shortness of breath, fast heartbeat, chest pain, unusual tiredness or weakness); symptoms of bleeding in the brain (eg, sudden, severe headache; one-sided weakness; vision problems; slurred speech; confusion); symptoms of low blood pressure (eg, fainting, light-headedness, severe or persistent dizziness); unexplained swelling; unusual or prolonged bruising or bleeding (eg, abnormal menstrual periods, frequent nosebleeds, unusual bleeding from the gums, vaginal bleeding); vomit that looks like coffee grounds; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Xarelto side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include unusual bruising or bleeding.

Proper storage of Xarelto:

Store Xarelto at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Xarelto out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Xarelto, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Xarelto is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Xarelto. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Xarelto resources

• Xarelto Side Effects (in more detail)
• Xarelto Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Xarelto Drug Interactions
• Xarelto Support Group
• 0 Reviews for Xarelto - Add your own review/rating

• Xarelto Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Xarelto Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Xarelto Consumer Overview


• Rivaroxaban Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)

Compare Xarelto with other medications

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