Rivaroxaban is a direct oral anticoagulant, used like apixaban in place of warfarin for many people. It is taken once daily rather than twice, and it has one instruction that is easy to miss and genuinely matters.
Reducing stroke risk in atrial fibrillation, treating and preventing deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, and after hip and knee replacement surgery.
It is not suitable for people with mechanical heart valves — warfarin remains the medicine for those.
Once daily at the same time each day, usually with your evening meal. Swallow whole with water.
If you miss a dose on a once-daily regimen, take it the same day as soon as you remember, then continue as normal. Never take two doses in one day.
Consistency matters more than with warfarin, because rivaroxaban wears off within hours rather than days. A pill box or alarm is worth setting up.
Contact your doctor promptly for:
Call 999 for severe bleeding, a serious head injury, or sudden severe headache with confusion or weakness.
Carry your anticoagulant alert card and tell any healthcare professional, including your dentist, before any procedure.
Check with us before taking anything new, including over-the-counter and herbal products — ibuprofen, aspirin, St John’s wort, some antifungals and some HIV medicines all matter.
Kidney function is checked periodically, as the dose depends partly on it.
Rivaroxaban is not used in pregnancy — speak to your GP if you are pregnant or planning to be.
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