Rivaroxaban
Introduction To Rivaroxaban
Rivaroxaban is a medicine known as an anticoagulant or blood thinner. It helps prevent and treat blood clots. It is used to reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack. It prevents and treats clot formation in the veins of your legs, lungs, brain and heart.
Rivaroxaban is commonly used in patients with irregular heart rhythm (atrial fibrillation) to prevent clot formation. It also reduces the risk of getting clots in people who have undergone knee or hip replacement surgeries. It should be taken with food and it is best to take them at the same time each day. You may need to take this medicine for many years, even for life in some cases. Do not stop taking it or change the dose without guidance from your doctor. It could quickly put you more at risk of having a heart attack, stroke, or thrombosis (formation of a blood clot within a blood vessel). You can reduce your risk of having a blood clot by making changes to your lifestyle, such as not smoking, eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, and losing weight if you need to.
The most common side effect of Rivaroxaban is bleeding more easily than normal, for example, having nosebleeds or bruising. If you experience any symptoms, tell your doctor immediately. Do not take this medicine if you have severe kidney or liver problems, if you are currently bleeding or if you are taking other medicines to reduce blood clotting. You should not breastfeed while using this medicine. Unlike other anticoagulants, a regular blood test (PT- INR) is not required while taking this medicine.
Uses of Rivaroxaban
- Treatment and prevention of Blood clots
Benefits of Rivaroxaban
Treatment and prevention of Blood clots
Rivaroxaban is a type of medicine known as an anticoagulant. Although it does
not “dissolve” blood clots, it can prevent them from getting bigger so your
body can dissolve them over time. It will also prevent new ones from forming.
It works by blocking a substance in the body which is involved in blood
clotting. This keeps your blood flowing freely around your body and makes it
less likely that a clot will form inside a blood vessel.
Rivaroxaban can help prevent or reduce damage caused by stroke, clots in your
lungs (pulmonary embolism) or other blood vessels (thrombosis). It can also
make it less likely that parts of a clot will break off and travel to other
parts of the body. You should take it regularly and make appropriate lifestyle
changes to help this medicine be effective.
Side effects of Rivaroxaban
Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them
Common side effects of Rivatop
- Bleeding
How to use Rivaroxaban
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Rivaroxaban is to be taken with food.
How Rivaroxaban works
Rivaroxaban is a novel oral anticoagulant (NOAC). It works by preventing the formation of blood clots in the body.
Quick tips
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For best results, take Rivaroxaban at the same time every day. It is better to take at night with meals.
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It interacts less with food or other medicines. Hence, frequent dose changes are not required.
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It increases your risk of bleeding. Be careful while shaving, cutting fingernails or toenails, using sharp objects or engaging in contact sports (e.g. football, wrestling).
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It may cause dizziness. Avoid driving or activity requiring mental focus until you know how it affects you.
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If you are going to have a surgery or dental treatment, you may be asked to stop taking Rivaroxaban temporarily.
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Notify your doctor if you have any kidney problem.
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Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy or breastfeeding.
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Do not stop taking medication without talking to your doctor.
Safety Advice
PregnancyCONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Can I take Rivaroxaban if I’m pregnant?
Rivaroxaban may be unsafe to use during pregnancy. Although there are limited studies in humans, animal studies have shown harmful effects on the developing baby. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you. Please consult your doctor.
BreastfeedingCONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Can I take Rivaroxaban if I’m breastfeeding?
Rivaroxaban is probably unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug may pass into the breastmilk and harm the baby.
AlcoholCAUTION
Is drinking alcohol while taking Rivaroxaban safe?
Caution is advised when consuming alcohol with Rivaroxaban. Please consult your doctor.
DrivingUNSAFE
Can I drive after taking Rivaroxaban?
Rivaroxaban may cause side effects which could affect your ability to drive. Rivaroxaban may cause dizziness or fainting. This may affect your driving ability.
KidneyCAUTION
Can I take Rivaroxaban if I have/had kidney diseases?
Rivaroxaban should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Rivaroxaban may be needed. Please consult your doctor. Use of Rivaroxaban is not recommended in patients with severe kidney disease.
LiverUNSAFE
Can I take Rivaroxaban if I have/had liver diseases?
Rivaroxaban is probably unsafe to use in patients with liver disease and should be avoided. Please consult your doctor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What are the side effects of Rivaroxaban?
The most common side effects of Rivaroxaban include long or excessive bleeding, breathlessness (which may be a sign of bleeding), exceptional weakness, tiredness, paleness, dizziness, headache, and unexplained swelling. Other side effects can be severe skin and allergic reactions, bruising, coughing up blood, bleeding from the skin or under the skin, and swelling and pain in the limbs. Using Rivaroxaban may increase the bilirubin and decrease the number of platelets. Some people may experience fainting episodes, faster heartbeat, and dry mouth. In case you notice any side effects, immediately contact your doctor.
Q. Is Rivaroxaban a blood thinner?
Yes, Rivaroxaban is a blood thinner. It is a medication that prevents the blood from clotting within the blood vessels. It also prevents the blood clots from recurring in the blood vessels. It may be prescribed to treat blood clots in the veins of the legs and in the blood vessels of the lungs.
Q. Is Rivaroxaban dangerous?
Rivaroxaban has numerous beneficial effects, but it has a tendency to make you bleed more than normal come even with minor injuries as it reduces your blood’s clotting ability. Sometimes Rivaroxaban may cause serious bleeding which may be dangerous and may need urgent medical attention. This risk may be higher in people taking Rivaroxaban along with other blood thinning medications. Contact your doctor if you notice even minor bleeding.
Q. What foods should you avoid if you are on blood thinners?
Avoid taking grapefruit and grapefruit juice while taking Rivaroxaban. The reason being, grapefruit contains compounds that slow down the metabolism of Rivaroxaban and increase the activity leading to bleeding. On the other hand, if you are taking some other blood thinner like warfarin, you should avoid taking any food that increases the activity of vitamin K or increases the clotting of blood. Such food items may include spinach, brussels, sprouts, mustard greens, broccoli, asparagus and green tea. However, the use of these food items is not restricted with Rivaroxaban.
References
Written By:
Dr Advikka Ridhy
MBBS
RMO, Aster MIMS
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