Rivaroxaban is used to treat or prevent blood clot disorder in the veins of your leg or lungs and prevents it from re-occurring.
This medicine is also used to prevent blood clot after a hip or knee replacement surgery and to prevent stroke and serious complications in adults with heart disease.
Rivaroxaban may be used to treat other conditions as decided by your doctor.
Take Rivaroxaban exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
Food intake instructions with this medicine varies. You may take the 2.5 mg or 10 mg tablet with or without food. Larger dose of Rivaroxaban should be taken with food. Your doctor will advise you of the food intake instructions with this medicine. Try to take it at the same time each day.
If you have difficulty swallowing tablet(s), you may crush the tablet and mix it with water or apple juice, stir and drink immediately.
Rivaroxaban must be taken regularly for it to be effective. Continue taking this medicine even when you feel better. Do not stop taking it suddenly as this may worsen your condition.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
If you are taking Rivaroxaban with the dose of 15 mg twice daily, you may take 2 tablets at the same time then return to your normal dosing schedule.
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- excessive bleeding
- risk of serious bleeding e.g. stomach ulcer, recent brain or spinal injury, recent surgery
- prosthetic (surgically implanted) heart valves
- end-stage kidney disease
- liver disease
as Rivaroxaban may not be suitable for you.
Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant or planning to have a baby soon. If you become pregnant while being treated with this medicine, alert your doctor immediately.
Do not breastfeed while you are being treated with this medicine.
Do not take Rivaroxaban with medicines used to treat fungal infection, HIV infection and blood clot. Please see the section “Can I take this with other medicines?” below for more information.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- moderate to severe kidney disease
- other risks of bleeding e.g. inherited bleeding disease, severe high blood pressure
- stomach disease
If you are going for an operation (e.g. hip or knee replacement surgery), procedure involving an injection into your spine (e.g. epidural or spinal anaesthesia), dental work or laboratory test, inform your doctor or dentist that you are taking Rivaroxaban.
Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
- Routine tests (e.g. liver/kidney function, complete blood count tests) may be done while you are being treated with this medicine.
- Regular monitoring of signs of bleeding or blood loss may also be needed.
Your doctor will advise you about how often you will need to have these tests.
Rivaroxaban may cause dizziness or loss of consciousness. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert.
Other side effects include any of the following: headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, stomach pain, indigestion, itching, rash, fever, tiredness, weakness, bruising, pain in hands or feet.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- signs of bleeding such as excessive or prolonged bleeding, unusual weakness, tiredness, paleness, dizziness, unexplained swelling, severe headache, breathlessness, chest pain, coughing of blood, blood in urine or stools, unusual bleeding of gums, menstrual bleeding that is heavier than normal, vaginal bleeding
- unusual rapid heartbeat, leg cramps, difficulty concentrating
- yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal pain, dark coloured urine, tiredness, swelling in the legs and ankles
- rashes with peeling of the skin or blistering of the lips, mouth or eyes accompanied by fever
- bright red or black stools (like tar)
- vomit blood or looks like “coffee-ground”
- red, pink, or brown urine
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Do not take Rivaroxaban with the following medicines:
- medicines to treat fungal infection e.g. ketoconazole, fluconazole
- medicines for HIV infection e.g. ritonavir
- blood-thinning medicines e.g. enoxaparin, fondaparinux, warfarin, dabigatran
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- medicines for depression e.g. fluoxetine, duloxetine, escitalopram
- medicines to treat TB (lung infection known as tuberculosis) e.g. rifampicin
- medicines for epilepsy (fits or seizures) e.g. phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital
- NSAIDs (medicines for pain and inflammation) e.g. naproxen
- other blood-thinning medicines e.g. aspirin, clopidogrel
- medicine to treat abnormal heart beat e.g. dronedarone
- herbal medicine e.g. St John’s wort
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Rivaroxaban.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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