Drug
Rivaroxaban
Pronounced
"RIV-a-ROX-a-ban"
Uses
Rivaroxaban is used to prevent blood clots from forming due to a certain irregular heartbeat (atrial fibrillation) or after hip or knee replacement surgery. It is also used to prevent blood clots from forming in high-risk patients with limited mobility during their hospital stay and after discharge. In addition, rivaroxaban is used to treat blood clots (such as in deep vein thrombosis-DVT or pulmonary embolus-PE) and to prevent the blood clots from forming again. Rivaroxaban may be used in children to prevent blood clots from forming after a certain heart surgery (Fontan procedure).
Rivaroxaban is an anticoagulant that works by blocking certain clotting proteins in your blood.
Warning
Do not stop taking rivaroxaban unless directed by your doctor. If you stop taking this medication early, you have a higher risk of forming a serious blood clot (such as a stroke, blood clot in the legs/lungs). Your doctor may direct you to take a different "blood thinning" or antiplatelet medication to reduce your risk. Get medical help right away if you have weakness on one side of the body, trouble speaking, sudden vision changes, confusion, chest pain, trouble breathing, or pain/warmth/swelling in the legs.
People taking this medication may bleed near the spinal cord after certain spinal procedures. Bleeding in this area can cause paralysis that lasts a long time or could become permanent. Before any spinal procedure, ask your doctor about the benefits and risks. The risk of bleeding may be higher if you have a deformed spine, or have had spinal procedures/surgery before (such as epidural catheter placement, difficult epidural/spinal puncture), or are taking other drugs that can cause bleeding/bruising (including antiplatelet drugs such as clopidogrel, "blood thinners" such as warfarin/enoxaparin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs-NSAIDs such as ibuprofen). Tell your doctor right away if you notice symptoms such as back pain, leg numbness/tingling/weakness, loss of control of the bowels or bladder (incontinence).
How to Use This Medication
Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start taking rivaroxaban and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor. If you are taking this drug to prevent strokes and blood clots that may form due to an irregular heartbeat, the dose is usually taken once a day with the evening meal. If you are taking this medication to prevent blood clots due to other conditions (such as after knee or hip replacement surgery, during a hospital stay and after discharge, after Fontan procedure), the dose is usually taken once a day. For adults taking rivaroxaban to treat blood clots, the dose is usually taken twice a day for the first 3 weeks, and then once a day. For children taking rivaroxaban to treat blood clots, the dose is usually taken once a day. If you are taking this medication to lower the risk of blood clots from forming again, the dose is usually taken once a day. Carefully follow your doctor's directions. Do not increase your dose, take it more often, or stop taking it unless you are told to do so by your doctor.
The 10 milligrams tablet may be taken with or without food. The 15 milligrams and 20 milligrams tablet should be taken with food. If you have any questions about how to take rivaroxaban, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
If you are unable to swallow whole tablets, you may crush the tablet and mix it with applesauce. Eat the entire mixture right away. Do not prepare a supply for future use.
If you are giving this medication through a tube into the stomach (nasogastric or gastric tube), ask your health care professional for detailed instructions on how to properly mix and give it.
The dosage and length of treatment is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Children's dosage is also based on weight.
Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time(s) each day.