Published on rxwiki.com (https://www.rxwiki.com)

Home >

Xarelto

Xarelto is a prescription medication used to prevent certain types of blood clots and strokes. Xarelto can be used in people who are having hip or knee replacement surgery, and for people with an irregular heart rhythm.

Xarelto , a "blood thinner", belongs to a group of drugs called factor Xa inhibitors. Factor Xa is an enzyme required for blood to clot. Xarelto inhibits factor Xa, slowing down blood clot formation.

This medication comes in tablet form and is usually taken once daily, with or without food. For people taking it for atrial fibrillation (irregular heart rhythm), Xarelto is taken once daily with the evening meal.

Common side effects include itching, muscle spasms, and bleeding.

WARNINGS: (A) DISCONTINUING XARELTO IN PATIENTS WITH NONVALVULAR ATRIAL FIBRILLATION INCREASES RISK OF STROKE, (B) SPINAL/EPIDURAL HEMATOMA

A. DISCONTINUING XARELTO IN PATIENTS WITH NONVALVULAR ATRIAL FIBRILLATION

Discontinuing Xarelto places patients at an increased risk of thrombotic events. An increased rate of stroke was observed following Xarelto discontinuation in clinical trials in atrial fibrillation patients. If anticoagulation with Xarelto must be discontinued for a reason other than pathological bleeding, consider administering another anticoagulant.

B. SPINAL/EPIDURAL HEMATOMA

Epidural or spinal hematomas have occurred in patients treated with Xarelto who are receiving neuraxial anesthesia or undergoing spinal puncture. These hematomas may result in long-term or permanent paralysis. Consider these risks when scheduling patients for spinal procedures. Factors that can increase the risk of developing epidural or spinal hematomas in these patients include:

  • use of indwelling epidural catheters
  • concomitant use of other drugs that affect hemostasis, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), platelet inhibitors, other anticoagulants
  • a history of traumatic or repeated epidural or spinal punctures
  • a history of spinal deformity or spinal surgery

Monitor patients frequently for signs and symptoms of neurological impairment. If neurological compromise is noted, urgent treatment is necessary.

Consider the benefits and risks before neuraxial intervention in patients anticoagulated or to be anticoagulated for thromboprophylaxis.

Cardiovascular [1] Atrial Fibrillation [2] Stroke [3]
Citation: 
"Xarelto", DailyMed: Current Medication Information; U.S. National Library of Medicine [4]
http://www.rxwiki.com/xarelto [5]
Rivaroxaban [6]
Rx Company Link: 
Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. [7]
RxNorm ATC Ref: 
Direct factor Xa inhibitors [8]
Contributor: 
Anyssa Garza, PharmD [9] Teresa Brucker, Pharm.D [10] Beth Bolt, RPh [11] Walker Winn [12] Zach Lewitz [13]
Photo: 
published_note: 
Overview Video: 
Xarelto
RX Label Type: 
Long Title: 
Xarelto treats or prevents certain types of blood clots and reduces stroke risk. While taking Xarelto, report any unusual bleeding to your physician.
Black Box Warning Image: 
Uses Show: 
Side Effects Show: 
Side Effects Image: 
Drug Interactions Show: 
Drug Precautions Show: 
Food Interactions Show: 
Inform MD Show: 
Inform MD Image: 
Pregnant Show: 
Lactation Show: 
Drug Usage Show: 
Drug Dosage Show: 
Overdose Show: 
Forms of Medication Show: 
Other Requirements Show: 
Brand Names Show: 
Drug Class Show: 
Source URL (retrieved on 06/09/2026 - 07:23): https://www.rxwiki.com/xarelto

Links:
[1] https://www.rxwiki.com/conditions/cardiovascular
[2] https://www.rxwiki.com/conditions/atrial-fibrillation
[3] https://www.rxwiki.com/conditions/stroke
[4] http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=10db92f9-2300-4a80-836b-673e1ae91610
[5] http://www.rxwiki.com/xarelto
[6] https://www.rxwiki.com/rivaroxaban
[7] https://www.rxwiki.com/janssen-pharmaceuticals-inc
[8] https://www.rxwiki.com/rxnorm-atc/direct-factor-xa-inhibitors
[9] https://www.rxwiki.com/users/anyssa-garza-pharmd
[10] https://www.rxwiki.com/users/teresa-brucker-pharmd
[11] https://www.rxwiki.com/users/beth-bolt-rph
[12] https://www.rxwiki.com/users/walker-winn
[13] https://www.rxwiki.com/users/zach-lewitz