Xarelto

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Xarelto is a preparation that inhibits blood clotting (anticoagulant). It is used to prevent blood clots. Read more and find out the most important information about the drug Xarelto here.

This active ingredient is in Xarelto

Xarelto contains the active substance rivaroxaban. This inhibits an enzyme that plays an important role in the blood coagulation cascade. The active ingredient intervenes in the entire process of blood clotting and reduces the risk of blood clots forming, which can clog blood vessels.

When is Xarelto used?

Xarelto is given to prevent thrombosis. This may be necessary after hip or knee replacement surgery or after a stroke. In cases of irregular heartbeat that are not caused by coronary artery disease, Xarelto can cure atrial fibrillation.

In combination with an acetylsalicylic acid preparation, the drug is also administered for cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, the drug is used in the therapy of leg vein thrombosis in order to prevent a new blood clot with the risk of pulmonary embolism.

What are the side effects of Xarelto?

The most common Xarelto side effects are bleeding, which occurs mainly after surgery. These include gastric and intestinal bleeding, nosebleeds, bleeding in tissue or body cavities (hematoma), bleeding in the genital area and bleeding surgical wounds. A lack of blood can lead to breathlessness, weakness, tiredness, headache, nausea, dizziness / fainting and paleness.

Laboratory values for liver and pancreatic enzymes and blood tests may deviate from the norm after taking Xarelto. Other Xarelto side effects such as fever, indigestion, unexplained swelling, kidney dysfunction, and rash / itchy skin are occasionally observed.

If you suffer from severe side effects or symptoms that are not mentioned, you should inform your doctor immediately.

You should keep this in mind when using Xarelto

If the patient is at increased risk of bleeding and has kidney disease, high blood pressure, stomach or intestinal ulcers, or retinal and lung diseases, special precautions should be taken when taking the blood thinner. Other anticoagulants should only be taken under strict medical supervision.

The administration of the drug after hip surgery must be clarified with the attending physician, depending on the type of intervention. In connection with operations that require catheters or injections near the spinal cord, exact intake should be followed as directed by the doctor. Symptoms such as numbness or weakness in the legs, digestive problems, and difficulty emptying the bladder as a result of anesthesia should also be reported to your doctor.

Some drugs that are effective against viruses and fungi can increase the effectiveness of Xarelto (e.g. ketoconazole or itraconazole). St. John's wort as an antidepressant, rifampicin (an antibiotic) and some drugs used in epilepsy therapy (e.g. phenytoin), on the other hand, can make Xarelto less effective.

Xarelto: dosage

Usually one tablet should be taken for five weeks after hip surgery and one tablet for two weeks after knee surgery. It should be taken daily with or without meals and with a glass of water. Xarelto dosage is determined by a doctor and should be strictly followed.

When should Xarelto not be taken?

The patient must not be treated with Xarelto if they are allergic to the active ingredient or any of the other ingredients. Severe bleeding tendencies and organ diseases (e.g. stomach ulcers, liver diseases) with an increased bleeding tendency also exclude the therapy.

Xarelto must not be used during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. It can be passed on to the child through breast milk. Safe and effective use in children under the age of 18 has not been proven.

How to get Xarelto

The drug Xarelto requires a prescription due to the medicinal substance it contains and may therefore only be dispensed in the pharmacy on presentation of a prescription. The drug is available as a tablet with different active ingredient concentrations (from 2.5 mg to 20 mg active ingredient per Xarelto tablet).