Xarelto (Rivaroxaban)

Xarelto (rivaroxaban) is an anticoagulant, or blood thinner, that prevents blood clots. Bayer AG and Johnson & Johnson developed Xarelto. They marketed it as a more convenient alternative to other anticoagulants, which require frequent dose adjustments and a specific diet. Xarelto is a simple tablet taken by mouth. It comes in 15 mg or 20 mg dosages that require few adjustments.

Xarelto is an alternative to warfarin, the standard anticoagulant for over 50 years. Now Xarelto is part of a billion dollar market of newly developed anticoagulants.

Doctors prescribe Xarelto for the following conditions:

• Atrial fibrillation (AF) – AF is an irregular heartbeat that inhibits blood flow. Poor blood flow can lead to clots in the heart, which can be life-threatening. These clots can also travel to the brain and cause a stroke.
• Knee and hip replacements – After surgery for a knee or hip replacement, people are at a greater risk of developing blood clots. Blood clots can form after these surgeries due to inactivity.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) – This is a blood clot in the body’s deep veins. DVT usually occurs in the legs, especially after periods of inactivity. DVT can develop after knee and hip replacements. Some patients at risk for deep vein thrombosis include: lupus patients, patients recovering from a deep injury, and seniors above the age of 60.
• Pulmonary embolism (PE) – PE is a blood clot in the lung’s major arteries. These clots typically travel from other parts of the body. DVT blood clots can cause a pulmonary embolism.

In 2011, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Xarelto for people who have hip and knee replacements or AF. A year later, the FDA approved Xarelto for DVT and PE. Despite the FDA’s approval, doctors have expressed concerns about the risks of bleeding in those taking the drug.

Xarelto’s most dangerous side effect is severe, uncontrollable bleeding. Internal bleeding causes a loss of blood to major organs, which can cause these organs to malfunction or shut down. Internal bleeding caused by Xarelto can also lead to heart attack and brain damage. Major bleeding episodes occur most often in older patients.

People shouldn’t take Xarelto if they have liver or kidney problems, history of stroke, recent surgery or bleeding problems. Even the manufacturers of Xarelto recognize that these people have a higher risk of death if they take the drug.

People taking Xarelto who have spinal or epidural injections are also at risk. These injections are often used for long-term treatment of back pain.  For people who’ve had these injections, Xarelto can cause blood clots in the spine that may lead to paralysis.

Pregnant or breastfeeding patients shouldn’t take Xarelto.

Several studies have outlined the risks of Xarelto. Many complications can arise as a result of prescribing Xarelto to at-risk patients.

In 2015, a 64-year-old man died from a lung hemorrhage caused by Xarelto. He was prescribed the drug following a knee replacement.

A study published in 2015 found that doctors are prescribing Xarelto to more and more patients with kidney disease. However, patients with kidney disease are more likely to have potentially fatal bleeding. The authors of the study noted there is no evidence that the benefits of Xarelto for these patients outweigh the risks.

There are a variety of medicines, vitamins and supplements that can increase the risk of bleeding caused by Xarelto. People taking Xarelto must be cautious about taking any substances that can cause an adverse reaction. Even drinking alcohol while taking Xarelto can lead to serious bleeding.