Rivaroxaban is used to prevent and treat the formation of blood clots. It also finds use in reducing the risk of stroke as well as in the prevention and treatment of deep vein thrombosis.
What is Rivaroxaban?
Rivaroxaban blocks the formation of blood clots by directly inhibiting coagulation factor Xa.
How should Rivaroxaban be taken?
Rivaroxaban is administered orally, in the form of tablets.
Side effects associated with Rivaroxaban
Rivaroxaban may cause some bleeding.
It is important to contact a doctor immediately if taking Rivaroxaban triggers any of the following symptoms:
- Rash
- Itching
- Swelling of face, eyes, lips, tongue or throat
- Difficulty breathing
- Tightness in the chest
- Blood in the stool or dark stools
- Changes in production of urine or dark, pink or red urine
- Blood in the sputum
- Fever, chills or persistent sore throat
- Pain, swelling or drainage from wounds
- Redness, swelling or peeling of the skin
- Joint problems
- Anemia
- Symptoms of cerebral hemorrhage
- Low pressure
- Unexplained swelling
- Bleeding or bruising
- Vomiting a coffee-like substance
- Jaundice
Contraindications and warnings associated with the use of Rivaroxaban
Rivaroxaban is contraindicated in the presence of certain types of bleeding and bleeding disorders caused by liver disease. It is also contraindicated in cases of an artificial heart valve and in the case of some kidney or liver problems.
The drug should not be taken by people who are also taking other coagulants, abciximab, bivalirudin, alteplase, boceprevir, carbamazepine, cobicistat, conivaptan, dabigratan, desirudin, enzalutamide, eptifibatide, hydantoins, indinavir, itraconazole, ketoconazole, lopinavir, nelfinavir, phenobarbital, posaconazole, rifamycin, ritonavir, saquinavir, telaprevir, tirofiban, voriconazole and hypericum.
Treatment should never be stopped without your doctor's consent.
Moreover, before starting treatment it is important to tell your doctor if:
- You have any allergies to the active substance, its excipients, other medicines, foods, or any other substance
- You are taking other medications, herbal remedies and supplements, in particular other coagulants, abciximab, alteplase, aspirin or NSAIDs, bivalirudin, dabigatran, desirudin, eptifabide, platelet inhibitors, tirofibran, boceprevir, clarithromycin, cobicistat, conivaptan, erythromycin, fluconazole, indinavir , itraconazole, ketoconazole, lopinavir, nelfinavir, posaconazole, ritonavir, saquinavir, telaprevir, voriconazole, carbamazepine, enzalutamide, hydantoins, phenobarbital, rifamycins, or St. John's wort
- You suffer (or have suffered) from bleeding disorders, high blood pressure, blood vessel disease, anemia or other blood disorders, low platelets or other problems with platelets, kidney or liver disease, stroke, gastrointestinal ulcers, hereditary diseases
- You are at risk of bleeding
- You have a scheduled surgery
- You suffer from kidney problems and was treated with amiodarone, azithromycin, chloramphenicol, cimetidine, diltiazem, dronedarone, erythromycin, felodipine, quinidine, ranolazine or verapamil
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding
In case of spinal or epidural procedures during treatment with Rivarobaxan, it is recommended to contact your doctor in case of symptoms associated with nerve problems, such as back pain, muscle weakness, paralysis, loss of bowel or bladder control or numbness.
Lastly, it is also important to inform physicians, surgeons and dentists about ongoing treatment with Rivaroxaban prior to any procedure.
