Rivaroxaban (Oral Route) Description and Brand Names

Description and Brand Names

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

US Brand Name

Xarelto

Descriptions

Rivaroxaban is used to treat and prevent deep venous thrombosis (DVT), a condition in which harmful blood clots form in the blood vessels of the legs. These blood clots can travel to the lungs and can become lodged in the blood vessels of the lungs, causing a condition called pulmonary embolism (PE). This medicine is used for several days after hip or knee replacement surgery while you are unable to walk. It is during this time that blood clots are most likely to form. It also reduces the risk of blood clots occurring again in patients who are still at risk for DVT or PE after receiving treatment for at least 6 months.

Rivaroxaban is also used to prevent stroke and blood clots in patients with certain heart rhythm problems (eg, nonvalvular atrial fibrillation). It is also used together with aspirin to decrease the risk of serious heart problems, heart attack, and stroke in patients with coronary artery disease (a condition where the blood supply to the heart is reduced or blocked). This medicine is also used together with aspirin to lower the risk of sudden decrease in blood flow to the legs, major amputation, heart attack, or stroke in patients with peripheral artery disease (a condition where the blood flow to the legs is reduced), including patients who have had a recent surgery to improve blood flow to the legs. This medicine is also used to prevent venous thromboembolism (VTE) in certain patients that are hospitalized for an acute illness and after discharge who are at risk of getting blood clots because of decreased ability to move around (mobility) and who do not have a high risk of bleeding. It is also used to treat or reduce the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) after receiving at least 5 days of medicine to treat blood clots and helps prevent blood clots in patients with congenital heart disease after undergoing the Fontan procedure.

Rivaroxaban is a factor Xa inhibitor, an anticoagulant. It works by decreasing the clotting ability of the blood and helps prevent harmful clots from forming in the blood vessels.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

This product is available in the following dosage forms:

Tablet
Powder for Suspension

Before Using

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of rivaroxaban to treat and prevent venous thromboembolism in children and to prevent blood clots in children 2 years of age with congenital heart disease. Safety and efficacy have been established. Use is not recommended in children younger than 6 months of age who were less than 37 weeks of growth at birth, had less than 10 days of oral feeding, or weighing less than 2.6 kilograms (kg).

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of rivaroxaban in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have bleeding and blood clotting problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving rivaroxaban.

Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Drug Interactions

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

Defibrotide
Levoketoconazole
Phenobarbital
Primidone

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Abametapir
Abciximab
Aceclofenac
Acemetacin
Acenocoumarol
Adagrasib
Alipogene Tiparvovec
Alteplase, Recombinant
Amoxicillin
Amtolmetin Guacil
Anagrelide
Anistreplase
Apalutamide
Apixaban
Argatroban
Aspirin
Atazanavir
Bemiparin
Berotralstat
Betrixaban
Bivalirudin
Bromfenac
Bufexamac
Cangrelor
Caplacizumab-yhdp
Capmatinib
Carbamazepine
Celecoxib
Choline Salicylate
Cilostazol
Citalopram
Clarithromycin
Clonixin
Clopidogrel
Cobicistat
Collagenase, Clostridium histolyticum
Conivaptan
Cyclosporine
Dabigatran Etexilate
Dalteparin
Danaparoid
Darunavir
Desirudin
Desvenlafaxine
Dexibuprofen
Dexketoprofen
Diclofenac
Diflunisal
Diltiazem
Dipyridamole
Dipyrone
Dronedarone
Drotrecogin Alfa
Droxicam
Duloxetine
Edoxaban
Enoxaparin
Enzalutamide
Epoprostenol
Eptifibatide
Erythromycin
Escitalopram
Etodolac
Etofenamate
Etoricoxib
Fedratinib
Felbinac
Fenoprofen
Fepradinol
Feprazone
Fexinidazole
Floctafenine
Flufenamic Acid
Fluoxetine
Flurbiprofen
Fluvoxamine
Fondaparinux
Fosphenytoin
Heparin
Ibrutinib
Ibuprofen
Idelalisib
Iloprost
Indinavir
Indomethacin
Inotersen
Itraconazole
Ketoconazole
Ketoprofen
Ketorolac
Lenacapavir
Lepirudin
Levetiracetam
Levomilnacipran
Levothyroxine
Lopinavir
Lornoxicam
Loxoprofen
Lumacaftor
Lumiracoxib
Meclofenamate
Mefenamic Acid
Meloxicam
Melphalan
Methotrexate
Milnacipran
Morniflumate
Nabumetone
Nadroparin
Naproxen
Nefazodone
Nepafenac
Nevirapine
Niflumic Acid
Nimesulide
Nimesulide Beta Cyclodextrin
Nintedanib
Nirmatrelvir
Omadacycline
Omaveloxolone
Orlistat
Oxaliplatin
Oxaprozin
Oxcarbazepine
Oxyphenbutazone
Parecoxib
Paroxetine
Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium
Phenindione
Phenprocoumon
Phenylbutazone
Phenytoin
Piketoprofen
Piracetam
Piroxicam
Posaconazole
Pranoprofen
Prasugrel
Proglumetacin
Propyphenazone
Proquazone
Protein C
Reteplase, Recombinant
Rifampin
Ritonavir
Rofecoxib
Sarecycline
Selexipag
Sertraline
Sibutramine
Simeprevir
St John's Wort
Streptokinase
Sulfinpyrazone
Sulindac
Telaprevir
Tenecteplase
Tenoxicam
Testosterone
Tiaprofenic Acid
Ticagrelor
Ticlopidine
Tinzaparin
Tirofiban
Tolfenamic Acid
Tolmetin
Topiramate
Trazodone
Treprostinil
Turmeric
Urokinase
Valdecoxib
Valproic Acid
Venlafaxine
Verapamil
Vilazodone
Vorapaxar
Voriconazole
Vortioxetine
Warfarin

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Amiodarone
Fluconazole

Other Interactions

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Proper Use

Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chance of side effects.

This medicine should come with a Medication Guide and patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

The 2.5 and 10 mg tablets can be taken with or without food. The 15 and 20 mg tablets should be taken with food. Also, take this medicine at the same time each day.

If you are unable to swallow the tablets whole:

The 10 mg, 15 mg, or 20 mg tablets may be crushed and mixed with a small amount of applesauce. This must be taken right away followed by food.
If you are using a nasogastric tube or gastric feeding tube: The 10 mg, 15 mg, or 20 mg tablets may be crushed and mixed in 50 milliliters (mL) of water before giving it via the tube. This must be followed by enteral feeding.

If your child is unable to swallow the tablets whole, you may use the oral liquid.

To use the oral liquid:

Shake the bottle slowly for 10 seconds before each use.
Measure the medicine with the provided oral dosing syringe.
Ask your doctor if you should take it with or without food.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

For oral dosage form (tablets):
- For prevention of deep venous thrombosis (hip replacement surgery):
  - Adults—10 milligrams (mg) once a day for 35 days. The starting dose should be taken at least 6 to 10 hours after surgery.
  - Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For prevention of deep venous thrombosis (knee replacement surgery):
  - Adults—10 milligrams (mg) once a day for 12 days. The starting dose should be taken at least 6 to 10 hours after surgery.
  - Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For prevention of reoccurring deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism:
  - Adults—10 milligrams (mg) once a day with or without food after at least 6 months of treatment with a blood thinner medicine.
  - Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For prevention of heart attack, stroke, and serious heart problems in patients with coronary artery disease:
  - Adults—2.5 milligrams (mg) 2 times a day together with aspirin (75 to 100 mg once a day), taken with or without food.
  - Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For prevention of sudden decrease in blood flow to the legs, major amputation, heart attack, and stroke in patients with peripheral artery disease:
  - Adults—2.5 milligrams (mg) 2 times a day together with aspirin (75 to 100 mg once a day), taken with or without food.
  - Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For prevention of stroke and blood clots in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation:
  - Adults—15 or 20 milligrams (mg) once a day, taken with the evening meal.
  - Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For prevention of blood clots in people who are hospitalized for an acute illness:
  - Adults—10 milligrams (mg) once a day in hospital and after hospital discharge for a total recommended duration of 31 to 39 days, taken with or without food.
  - Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For treatment of deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism:
  - Adults—At first, 15 milligrams (mg) 2 times a day, taken with food for the first 21 days. Then, your doctor may give you 20 mg once a day, taken at the same time each day with food.
  - Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For treatment and prevention of venous thromboembolism:
  - Children 6 months of age and older weighing 30 kilograms (kg) or more—Dose is base on weight and must be determined by your doctor.
    - Weighing 50 kilograms (kg) or more—20 milligrams (mg) once a day, taken with food.
    - Weighing 30 kg to 49.9 kg—15 mg once a day, taken with food.
  - Children 6 months of age and older weighing less than 30 kg—Use the oral suspension.
  - Children younger than 6 months of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For prevention of blood clots in patients with congenital heart disease after Fontan procedure:
  - Children 2 years of age and older weighing 50 kilograms (kg) or more—Dose is base on weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose usually 10 milligrams (mg) once a day, taken with or without food.
  - Children 2 years of age and older weighing less than 50 kg—Use the oral suspension.
  - Children younger than 2 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

For oral dosage form (suspension):
- For treatment and prevention of venous thromboembolism:
  - Children 6 months of age and older—Dose is base on weight and must be determined by your doctor.
    - Weighing 50 kilograms (kg) or more—20 milligrams (mg) once a day, taken with food.
    - Weighing 30 kg to 49.9 kg—15 mg once a day, taken with food.
    - Weighing 12 kg to 29.9 kg—5 mg 2 times a day, taken with food.
    - Weighing 10 kg to 11.9 kg—3 mg 3 times a day, taken with food.
    - Weighing 9 kg to 9.9 kg—2.8 mg 3 times a day, taken with food.
    - Weighing 8 kg to 8.9 kg—2.4 mg 3 times a day, taken with food.
    - Weighing 7 kg to 7.9 kg—1.8 mg 3 times a day, taken with food.
    - Weighing 5 kg to 6.9 kg—1.6 mg 3 times a day, taken with food.
    - Weighing 4 kg to 4.9 kg—1.4 mg 3 times a day, taken with food.
    - Weighing 3 kg to 3.9 kg—0.9 mg 3 times a day, taken with food.
    - Weighing 2.6 kg to 2.9 kg—0.8 mg 3 times a day, taken with food.
  - Children younger than 6 months of age and weighing less than 2.6 kg—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For prevention of blood clots in patients with congenital heart disease after Fontan procedure:
  - Children 2 years of age and older—Dose is base on weight and must be determined by your doctor.
    - Weighing 50 kilograms (kg) or more—10 milligrams (mg) once a day, taken with or without food.
    - Weighing 30 kg to 49.9 kg—7.5 mg once a day, taken with or without food.
    - Weighing 20 kg to 29.9 kg—2.5 mg 2 times a day, taken with or without food.
    - Weighing 12 kg to 19.9 kg—2 mg 2 times a day, taken with or without food.
    - Weighing 10 kg to 11.9 kg—1.7 mg 2 times a day, taken with or without food.
    - Weighing 8 kg to 9.9 kg—1.6 mg 2 times a day, taken with or without food.
    - Weighing 7 kg to 7.9 kg—1.1 mg 2 times a day, taken with or without food.
  - Children younger than 2 years of age of age and weighing less than 7 kg—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

This medicine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, call your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.

Once-daily dosing: If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can on the same day. Then take your regularly scheduled dose the next day.

Twice-daily dosing to prevent serious heart or blood vessel problems (2.5 mg tablet): If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at your usual time.

Twice-daily dosing to treat a blood clot (oral liquid or 15 mg tablet): If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can on the same day. You may take 2 doses at the same time to make up for the missed dose. Then take your regularly scheduled doses the next day.

Thrice-daily dosing: If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose, then take your regularly scheduled doses the next day.

Oral liquid: If your child vomits or spits up right after or within 30 minutes after taking the medicine, give another dose. If it is more than 30 minutes, give the next dose at the regular time. Call your doctor right away if your child vomits or spits out the medicine repeatedly.

Storage

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

You may store the crushed tablet with applesauce or water mixture for up to 4 hours.

Throw away the oral liquid 60 days after opening.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly. Blood and urine tests will be needed to check for unwanted effects. Be sure to keep all appointments.

You may bleed or bruise more easily while you are using this medicine. Stay away from rough sports or other situations where you could be bruised, cut, or injured. Be careful when using sharp objects, including razors and fingernail clippers. Avoid nose picking and forceful nose blowing.

Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine.

This medicine may cause bleeding problems. This risk is higher if you have a catheter in your back for pain medicine or anesthesia (sometimes called an "epidural"), or if you have kidney problems. The risk of bleeding increases if your kidney problems get worse. Check with your doctor right away if you have any unusual bleeding or bruising, black, tarry stools, bleeding gums, blood in the urine or stools, tingling, numbness, or weakness of the lower legs, or pinpoint red spots on your skin.

Check with your doctor right away if you have a decreased urine output, confusion, dizziness, nausea, rapid weight gain, swelling of the face, ankles, or hands, or unusual tiredness or weakness after receiving the medicine. These may be symptoms of a serious kidney problem.

Be careful when using a regular toothbrush, dental floss, or toothpick. Your medical doctor, dentist, or nurse may recommend other ways to clean your teeth and gums. Check with your medical doctor before having any dental work done.

Do not suddenly stop taking this medicine without first checking with your doctor. Doing so, may increase your risk of having a stroke.

Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant during treatment with this medicine.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal (eg, St. John's wort) or vitamin supplements.

Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Back pain
bleeding gums
bloody stools
bowel or bladder dysfunction
burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
coughing up blood
difficulty with breathing or swallowing
dizziness
headache
increased menstrual flow or vaginal bleeding
leg weakness
nosebleeds
numbness
paralysis
prolonged bleeding from cuts
red or black, tarry stools
red or dark brown urine
vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds

Less common

Fainting
pain in the arms or legs
wound secretion

Rare

Burning feeling while urinating
difficult or painful urination

Incidence not known

Blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
blurred vision
chest tightness
chills
clay-colored stools
cough
dark urine
diarrhea
fast or irregular heartbeat
fever with or without chills
general feeling of tiredness or weakness
hives, itching, skin rash
hoarseness
joint or muscle pain
loss of appetite
lower back or side pain
nausea
puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
red skin lesions, often with a purple center
red, irritated eyes
severe headache
sore throat
sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
stomach pain or swelling
unpleasant breath odor
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual tiredness or weakness
vomiting
yellow eyes or skin

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common

Blisters
muscle spasm

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Portions of this document last updated: April 01, 2024

Original article: https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/rivaroxaban-oral-route/description/drg-20075013

Rivaroxaban (Oral Route)

Description and Brand Names

US Brand Name

Descriptions

Before Using

Allergies

Pediatric

Geriatric

Breastfeeding

Drug Interactions

Other Interactions

Other Medical Problems

Proper Use

Dosing

Missed Dose

Storage

Precautions

Side Effects

More common

Less common

Rare

Incidence not known

Less common

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