Rivaroxaban, Oral riv-ah-ROKS-ah-ban

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: factor Xa inhibitor; anticoagulant (medicine that reduces the chance of blood clots forming)

Generic and brand names: rivaroxaban, oral; Xarelto

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is taken by mouth to prevent blood clots from forming after you have knee or hip replacement surgery. It may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• a stroke
• bleeding problems or blood disorders
• kidney or liver problems
• surgery on your spine or a catheter in your spine
• ulcers

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I use it?

Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Do not take more or less than prescribed. Do not stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

You may take this medicine with or without food. Taking it with meals may lessen the chance the drug will upset your stomach.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.

What if I overdose?

If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.

Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: blood in the urine or stools, vomiting blood, bleeding that won't stop.

What should I watch out for?

This medicine may cause you to bleed more easily or to bleed longer. Avoid sports and activities that may cause injuries. Talk with your healthcare provider about which sports or activities you should avoid. If you fall or are injured, contact your healthcare provider right away. Serious internal bleeding may occur without you being aware of it.

You may need to have blood tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for these tests.

If you need emergency care, surgery, lab tests, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.

This medicine may make you feel faint or dizzy. Do not drive or operate machinery until you are fully alert.

Do not drink alcohol or take aspirin while receiving this medicine unless your healthcare provider approves. It may increase the risk of bleeding.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you are unable to reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives, itching, rash, tightness or pain in your chest, swelling of your lips, tongue or throat, trouble breathing).

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Unusual bruising or bleeding; dark urine or stools; bloody urine; increased menstrual flow or vaginal bleeding; vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds; black or tarry stools; painful urination; swelling, numbness, or tingling in fingers, legs, or toes, or any unexplained swelling; sore throat; fever; yellowish eyes or skin; severe headache, dizziness, or weakness; fainting; rash; itching; stomach pain; severe joint or muscle pain; chest pain; shortness of breath; back pain; loss of bladder or bowel control; problems with vision, speech, or walking; pain, swelling, or new wound leakage around surgical incision site.

Other: Mild nausea, mild itching, muscle spasms.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• antibiotics such as azithromycin (Zithromax, Z-pak), clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (Ery-Tabs, E.E.S.), rifabutin (Mycobutin), and rifampin (Rifadin)
• antifungal medicines such as fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox), and ketoconazole (Nizoral),
• anti-HIV medicines such as indinavir (Crixivan), efavirenz (Sustiva), lopinavir/ritonavir (Kaletra), nelfinavir (Viracept), nevirapine (Viramune), ritonavir (Norvir), and saquinavir (Invirase)
• antiseizure medicines such as carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenobarbital, and phenytoin (Dilantin), and primidone (Mysoline)
• aspirin and other salicylates
• bosentan (Tracleer)
• conivaptan (Vaprisol)
• dexamethasone
• heart medicines such as amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac), dronedarone (Multaq), felodipine, nicardipine (Cardene), quinidine, ranolazine (Ranexa), and verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin)
• immunosuppressants such as cyclosporine (Gengraf, Sandimmune, Neoral) and tacrolimus (Prograf)
• medicine that reduces the chance of blood clots forming such as cilostazol (Pletal), clopidogrel (Plavix), dalteparin (Fragmin), dipyridamole (Persantine, Aggrenox), enoxaparin (Lovenox), fondaparinux (Arixtra), heparin, prasugrel (Effient), ticagrelor (Brilinta), and warfarin (Coumadin)
• natural remedies such as alfalfa, agrimony, anise, arnica, bilberry, black cohosh, bromelain, cat's claw, celery, chamomile, dong quai, evening primrose oil, fenugreek, feverfew, garlic, ginger, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, goldenseal, grapeseed, green tea, horse chestnut, licorice, nettle, passion flower, pau d'arco, red clover, St. John's wort, sweet clover, turmeric, and willow
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) such as diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam), ibuprofen (Motrin, Motrin IB, Advil), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen, ketorolac (Toradol), nabumetone (Relafen), naproxen (Naprosyn, Anaprox, Aleve, Naprelan), oxaprozin (Daypro), piroxicam (Feldene), and sulindac (Clinoril)

Do not drink any alcohol while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

The effects of this medicine may be increased if you take it with grapefruit or grapefruit juice. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. If you have the bottle, keep the container tightly closed. If you have the blister pack, do not remove a tablet until you are ready to take it. Protect the medicine from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.