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Xarelto
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Xarelto

Generic name:rivaroxabanRIV-a-ROX-a-ban ]
Drug class:Factor Xa inhibitors

Medically reviewed by Kaci Durbin, MD. Last updated on Jul 1, 2020.

What is Xarelto?

Xarelto blocks the activity of certain clotting substances in the blood.

Xarelto is used to treat or prevent blood clots (venous thromboembolism, or VTE). Blood clots can occur in the legs (deep vein thrombosis, DVT) or the lungs (pulmonary embolism, PE).

Blood clots can develop when you are very ill and cannot move around as much as normal, such as during or after a stay in the hospital. Blood clots may also develop after knee or hip replacement surgery.

Xarelto is sometimes used to lower your risk of a DVT or PE coming back after you have received treatment for blood clots for at least 6 months.

Xarelto is used in people with atrial fibrillation (a heart rhythm disorder) to lower the risk of stroke caused by a blood clot.

Xarelto is used to help prevent blood clots in certain people hospitalized for an acute illness who are at risk of getting blood clots and who do not have a high risk of bleeding.

Xarelto is also given together with aspirin to lower the risk of stroke, heart attack, or other serious heart problems in people with coronary artery disease (decreased blood flow to the heart) or peripheral artery disease (decreased blood flow to the legs).

Warnings

Do not stop taking Xarelto without first talking to your doctor. Stopping suddenly can increase your risk of blood clot or stroke.

Xarelto can cause you to bleed more easily. Call your doctor at once if you have signs of bleeding such as: bleeding gums, nosebleeds, heavy menstrual periods or abnormal vaginal bleeding, blood in your urine, bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blo...