Daily Medication Pearl: Rivaroxaban (Xarelto)

Medication Pearl of the Day: Rivaroxaban (Xarelto)

Indication: Rivaroxaban is a factor Xa inhibitor indicated to reduce the risk of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, for the treatment of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), and to reduce the risk of recurrence of DVT and of PE, and for the prophylaxis of DVT that may lead to PE in patients undergoing knee or hip replacement surgery.

Insight:

• Dosing: Take 15 mg and 20 mg tablets with food. Take 10 mg tablets with or without food.
• Dosage forms: Tablets 10 mg, 15 mg, and 20 mg.
• Adverse events: The most common adverse reaction (>5%) was bleeding.
• Mechanism of action: Rivaroxaban is a selective inhibitor of FXa. It does not require a cofactor (such as anti-thrombin III) for activity.
• Manufacturer: Janssen Pharma

Sources:

1. label (fda.gov)
2. xarelto image - Google Search