INTRODUCTION

XARELTO 20MG contains rivaroxaban which belongs to the group of medicines called anticoagulants. A blood clot which blocks an artery (blood vessel) is called an embolism and if the embolism occurs in the arteries of the brain it can cause a stroke. Anticoagulants slow down the time it takes for blood to clot and reduce the risk of embolism.

This medicine is used in the treatment and prevention of deep vein thrombosis (blood clots in veins of legs) and pulmonary embolism (blood clot in lungs) in patients with or without hip or knee replacement operation. It also prevents the formation of blood clots in your brain (stroke) and other blood vessels of body among patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (an abnormal heartbeat).

Rivaroxaban acts by blocking the activity of blood clotting factor (factor Xa) and reduces the tendency of the blood to form clots. This medicine must be taken only with meals. The most common side effects of taking this medicine are bleeding in eyes, nose, gums, stomach, rectum or vagina. Do not take this medicine, if you have any bleeding disorders. Before taking this medicine inform your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or having any serious kidney or liver disease. This medicine is not recommended for use in children and adolescents under 18 years of age.

USES OF XARELTO 20MG

• Treats and prevents deep vein thrombosis
• Treats and prevents pulmonary embolism in patients with or without hip or knee replacement operation
• Prevents stroke and formation of blood clots in other blood vessels of body among patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (an abnormal heartbeat)

HOW XARELTO 20MG WORKS

Rivaroxaban reversibly inhibits both the free- and clot-bound forms of coagulation factor Xa. Inhibition of Xa, prevents the conversion of prothrombin into thrombin, which activates platelets and catalyzes the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin thread (clot) and thus prevents blood clot formation.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE

Take this medicine as directed by your physician. It must be taken only with meals. Your doctor will decide the correct dose for you depending upon your condition. Swallow the medicine as whole with a glass of water. Continue to take this medicine, as long as your doctor tells you to do so, to obtain better results.

SIDE EFFECTS OF XARELTO 20MG

HOW TO MANAGE SIDE EFFECTS

Nausea or vomiting:

Try taking this medicine with, or just after meal. Stick to simple meals. Do not eat rich or spicy food.

Constipation: 

Eat fibre rich foods like fresh fruit, vegetables and cereals. Drink plenty of water. Exercise more regularly.

Diarrhea:

Drink lots of fluids, such as water or juice, to avoid dehydration. Do not take any medicines without speaking to a doctor.

WARNING & PRECAUTIONS

INTERACTIONS

Talk to your doctor, if you are taking,

• medicines used to treat fungal infections (e.g., ketoconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, posaconazole)
• medicines used to treat HIV infections (e.g., ritonavir)
• medicines used to treat bacterial infection (e.g. clarithromycin, erythromycin)
• other medicines used to reduce blood clotting (e.g., enoxaparin, warfarin, rivaroxaban, dabigatran or heparin)
• medicines used to reduce pain or inflammation (e.g., acetylsalicylic acid or naproxen)
• medicines used to treat depression (e.g. fluoxetine, sertraline, imipramine, St John’s Wort)
• medicines used to treat epilepsy (e.g., phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital)
• dronedarone (used to treat abnormal heartbeat)
• rifampicin (used to treat tuberculosis)

SYNOPSIS

MORE INFORMATION

Store at room temperature and keep out of reach of children.

FAQs ABOUT XARELTO 20MG

Can you drink alcohol while taking XARELTO 20MG?

No. Avoid consumption of alcohol while taking this medicine, as it may make you feel dizzier.

Can you take ibuprofen with XARELTO 20MG?

No. Avoid concomitant use of this medicine with ibuprofen or any other pain killers without consulting your doctor.

REFERENCES

1. Keith A.A. Fox, Harvey D. White, Bernard J. Gersh and Lionel H. Opie. Antithrombotic Agents: Platelet Inhibitors, Acute Anticoagulants, Fibrinolytics and Chronic Anticoagulants. Drugs for the heart. 8th Edition. 2013. Page - 365-366.

2. KD Tripathi. Drugs Affecting Coagulation, Bleeding and Thrombosis. Essentials of Medical Pharmacology. Seventh Edition. Page - 623.

3. James L. Zehnder. Drugs Used in Disorders of Coagulation. Basic & Clinical Pharmacology. Fourteenth Edition. McGraw-Hill Education 2018. Page - 616-617.

4. Gerald G. Briggs, Roger K. Freeman. R. A reference guide to fetal and neonatal risk: Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation, Tenth Edition. 2015. Page - 3437- 3438.

5. Bayer. Efficacy and Safety of Rivaroxaban for the Prevention of Stroke in Subjects With Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation. NIH U.S. National Library of Medicine. ClinicalTrials.gov. [Revised on April 2015] [Accessed 27th October 2020] https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00494871

6. Sylvia Haas. Rivaroxaban – an oral, direct Factor Xa inhibitor – lessons from a broad clinical study programme. NCBI; PMC US National Library of Medicine National Institute of Health. May 2009. [Accessed 27th October 2020] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2730547/

7. Bayer AG. Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC); [Revised on July 2019] [Accessed 27th October 2020] https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.2793.pdf

8. Bayer AG. Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC); [Revised on June 2019] [Accessed 27th October 2020] https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.6402.pdf

9. Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. U.S. Food & Drug Administration; [Revised on December 2012] [Accessed 27th October 2020] https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2011/202439s001lbl.pdf