Rivaroxaban
Also sold as: Xarelto
Prescription neededBlood thinners
Comes as:Tablet
Usual adult dose
Atrial fibrillation: 20 mg once a day with the evening meal (15 mg in kidney disease). Treatment of clots: 15 mg twice a day for 3 weeks, then 20 mg once a day. Take with food. Do not stop without your doctor.
Your doctor may give you a different dose. Children's doses depend on weight.
Side effects
Common
- bruising
- nosebleeds
- bleeding gums
- nausea
Serious — get help
Stop taking it and see a doctor straight away if you notice:
- black stools
- blood in urine
- vomiting blood
- severe headache
- bleeding that does not stop
Do not take it, or take care, if
- Active bleeding
- Severe liver disease
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Artificial (mechanical) heart valve
- Severe kidney disease
Interactions
Medicines that can react with this one.
Serious4 medicinesDo not take these together unless your doctor says so.
- Aspirin
Together they greatly raise the risk of serious bleeding.
- Clopidogrel
Together they greatly raise the risk of serious bleeding.
- Ketoconazole
Ketoconazole tablets raise rivaroxaban levels and the risk of bleeding; avoid.
- Rifampicin
Rifampicin lowers rivaroxaban levels so it may not prevent clots; avoid.