Xarelto (rivaroxaban)

There are 2 things that puzzle me here --first I cant understand the above date - what does 13.31.48 mean ? Secondly, why has nobody answered such a common question ? Anyway, I had the same reaction as you when I was put on anti-coagulants after having two DVTs but it becomes a way of life after a while. This thing about bleeding easily is overdone - the only time you might or might not have a problem is if you had a major op. After years of resistance I now embrace the drugs that keep us oldies going - I,ve got too much to do yet.

I was on Plavix for a couple of years after a hip replacement, followed by a mild heart attack. Now reduced to aspirin 75mg.
The only side effect is that I bruise easily, the tiniest tap and up comes that bruise.
Any dental treatment or small op. and I stop for a day or 2.
But I think your drug is based on a different chemical than the one in Plavix, so can't comment.
What about asking your pharmacist?

13:31:48 was the time the OP posted not the date.

Triciaf I have had the guidelines from GP and pharmacist but really wanted personal experiences of what to expect on the the drug, which is quite a new one taking the place of warfarin and avoiding all that blood testing.

Thanks for your input. I've been fighting off taking anticoagulants up to now but sufficiently worried about the stroke potential of AF to finally accept it must be done.

Anyone else?

jud my son has been on this drug for 3 months , he has experienced no side effects at all . He had multiple pulmonary embolisms at the end of May and almost didn`t make it .

I decided not to go onto one of these new blood thinners at the moment after talking it over with my doctor. I also take blood thinners because of the possibility of a session of AF, and the constant testing was the biggest problem I foresaw with warfarin, but after some time my readings are now so settled that I am only tested every few months. One of the main problems with the new blood thinners seems to be that if there is a major bleed it is much more difficult to deal with, than with warfarin

Badenkate I hadn't heard that about major bleeds ? Took my first tablet this morning. So small but clearly strong stuff! Thanks for the replies to you and f77ms

The problem with Rivaroxaban is that there is no antidote for it, unlike Warfarin, which can be reversed quickly with Vit K. I think that's why it hasn't yet become standard treatment for cardiac problems, due to the risk of bleeds. My late husband was on Warfarin for heart failure, and my friend also takes it for AF, she now has fortnightly blood tests I think.

Oh dear Nan! Nobody mentioned the word 'antidote'! I hope Moviemad is right and the risk is overdone ? GP did stress that every medical contact this should be mentioned. I have ordered myself a medialert bracelet just in case. Am I being a bit alarmist?

I took rivaroxaban for 2-3 weeks after a total hip replacement op. I had to take the tablet in the evening with food and re-acted badly to it, spent the whole evening feeling on edge, unable to relax and generally itchy around the buttocks and hips. I was mightily relieved when I finished the course. I hope you don't get the same reaction but if you do you should ask your doctor for an alternative. By the way, I'm no expert but all drugs have masses of side effects if you read the slip of paper in the box but that doesn't mean you will definitely get one of them so try not to worry too much about it. The drug manufacturers have to list anything reported to them.

This is worth reading Jud, it's a reputable website, and if you scroll down, there are some interesting comments.

I'm going to go with this drug for a while but was very reluctant to go on to any anticoagulant at all! GP did say I should go back if there are any problems.

I hate taking medication. Struggled for 5 years with the unpleasant side effects of anastrozole and alendronic acid but at least I knew they were temporary. I was just beginning to feel healthy again!

Like you Jud I was very loathe to go on anticoagulants, especially as my AF is very intermittent - about a dozen days in the year. However, several health workers - doctors, nurses and paramedics - told me that it was very important to take them particularly at the time of going into AF. So please don't stop taking them whatever you decide. I think the reason my doctor didn't push the new ones is that one of their patients had a very serious bleed associated with them and it clearly has made them very cautious. We agreed to leave it for a few years until more research has been done.
As far as warfarin is concerned, I've not had any side effects. My last blood test was in August, my next one is November - so I don't find that a problem.

I have been on this medication for a fortnight due to AF - I was told in no uncertain terms by the doctor that I was at risk of a stroke due to the beta blocker (Atenolol) he'd put me on and I must continue to take it. I also am worried about the bleeding effect and carry the leaflet from the packet around with me just in case of accident. I didn't know there was no antidote but then I didn't realise there was one for warfarin. I'm still waiting for the results of a chest x-ray so will check again when I go back to the doctors. I've had no side effects thankfully but perhaps it does explain why the pharmacist took me into a side room to explain about them when I took the prescription in and actually rang me a week later to see how I'd got on.

Interesting that your pharmacist took such a lot of trouble Willow. These drugs seem to be quite new and GP said there isn't much published research, which is why he stressed I come back with any problems.
Glad to hear you have had no problems so far with side effects. I have just taken my 3rd one ? I keep focusing on the effects of stroke to make myself continue. The cardiologist was very adamant I should take them.

I'm on xarelto after having a PE 18 months ago. I was started off on warfarin and then after a few weeks I learned about this more modern medication. I discussed it with my doctor and he said if it was him he'd try it. It does worry me that there's no antidote, and it was emphasised to be careful about accidents etc. Also, I still don't know if cranberries are off limits as they are with warfarin. I keep taking them because I'm told I must.

Thanks Nansy. Good to hear from someone who is on this drug at the moment. I too was told by GP not to have an accident which amused me because I don't usually plan to have one. Do you? I think he was being funny, as I was also consulting him about injuries I had just acquired from a bad fall

The lack of antidote worries me too, but hopefully neither of us needs it!

I see this thread is a year old, but thought I'd throw in the little experience I have seen with Xarelto. I was helping an older lady who was on the stuff. Her heart doctor as well as the GP kept her on this med along with a list of others until she passed away. She had been diagnosed with terminal cancer which was coming back, but ultimately she died from internal bleeding. I expect it was the Xarelto. She had to have at least 3 blood transfusions when I was helping her and it looks quite obvious in retrospect why. Neither of those doctors had a clue!

My husband is on Rivaroxaban permanently after a third DVT. He was a pharmacist so is conscious of side effects and is very happy on it. You should however have your liver and kidney function tested every 6 months.

I was put on warfarin after AF followed a serious chest infection. I've been taking it over 2 year with no problems. The INR levels changed a couple of months ago for no apparent reason so I was back on monthly rather than 8 weekly blood tests. The blood tests are not difficult, I'm fortunate to be able to drive the 10 mins to the centre.
I discussed with my GP moving onto one of the newer treatments, she said it was up to me of course but there is no antidote if problems arise with the new treatments whereas with warfarin there is Vit K - I decided to stay with the familiar one.

DH has been on Warfarin for about 12 years since he had PE. Initially it was for 7 months but four months after it was stopped the embolisms returned so he is now on it for life. He takes quite a large dose against that of friends to get the same INR readings. He is checked every month.
As long as you are less than 4 you will stop bleeding but it will take longer - after that it gets dangerous.
We do not drink a lot - maybe a glass of wine with dinner but very little else. If we have friends and he drinks more for a few days his next INR reading will be higher so he does need to be careful.
The GP told him it takes five days to get all the warfarin out of the system so when he has had operations the warfarin has been replaced by heparin injections for a few days prior. He has then had them daily for up to three weeks after surgery till his INR levels are stable. In France heparin injections for a couple of weeks after an op are the norm.

My cardiologist assured me all the new anticoagulants have an antidote as I challenged him about this.

Fecklar,* your antidote comment is interesting as I thought there wasn't one. I am on a similar drug, Apixiban.
How long ago were you told about the antidote for these relatively new drugs? I would love to think it's true.

I procrastinated for almost two years after being told that I needed this drug. I bruise terribly easily and when on 75 mg aspirin, could occasionally be mistaken for a battered wife!

My daughter is a doctor and eventually I mentioned the dilemma. She said "Mummy, do you want to die?". I said not and she replied "then take the bloomin' pills"!

I did and two years in, have been fine with very much less bruising than with the aspirin.

If you read this, do please let me know about the antidote...

Thanks