Rivaroxaban is the name of generic Xarelto, and it is also the active ingredient in this powerful anticoagulant. Rivaroxaban is used to lower the risk of blood clots and associated conditions. By preventing and treating blood clots, Xarelto can significantly reduce the risk of complications like heart attack and stroke. Brand-name Xarelto and generic rivaroxaban are approved for use in adults only. Rivaroxaban belongs to the newest generation of blood thinners called direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs). Drugs in this class reduce the body’s ability to clot by affecting fewer enzymes than traditional blood thinners. As a result, Xarelto has fewer drug and food interactions than many other anticoagulants on the market, making it a convenient, effective, and safe choice for treatment.

Xarelto Uses

Generic rivaroxaban is approved for multiple uses, including the treatment and prevention of the following conditions:

• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
• Pulmonary embolism (PE)
• Blood clots in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation
• Blood clots in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD)
• Blood clots following a knee or hip replacement surgery

A blood clot anywhere in the body can rupture unexpectedly and move to different vital organs. If a clot breaks free and travels to the heart, a heart attack may occur. Similarly, a clot that forms in the brain or lungs can cause a stroke or pulmonary embolism. Due to the life-threatening nature of blood clots, Xarelto is often an important part of treatment plans for patients at risk of a clotting event.

Xarelto is available in four dosage strengths: 2.5mg, 10mg, 15mg, and 20mg. Always follow your doctor’s dosing directions. Taking more or less than you are prescribed can lead to serious and adverse outcomes. Not enough levels of rivaroxaban in your bloodstream can insufficiently prevent your body from clotting, putting you at risk of blood clots. Conversely, an overdose can cause extreme concentrations of rivaroxaban in your blood, increasing your risk of excessive bleeding. 

Xarelto 20mg

Xarelto 20mg is the strongest available dose of rivaroxaban and is typically prescribed for reducing the stroke and blood clot risk in those with AFib. This dosage strength is generally prescribed for daily use, ideally once every morning. [1] For patients treating DVT and PE, your doctor may increase your dosage to 20mg after an initial adjustment period.

Xarelto 15mg

This dosage strength is the starting dose for treating DVT and PE. When starting treatment, your doctor will likely have you take 15mg twice a day for three weeks. After this period, you may be given 20mg of rivaroxaban, depending on how your body responds to this anticoagulant.

Xarelto 10mg

Xarelto 10mg is the dosage used to reduce the risk of reoccurring blood clots. If you are at risk of another DVT or PE, your doctor may prescribe Xarelto 10mg once a day. This dosage strength may also be prescribed to prevent blood clots in post-surgical patients who have recently undergone a knee or hip replacement. [1]

Xarelto 2.5mg

This is the lowest available dosage strength of Xarelto. This dose is most often used to reduce the risk of heart attacks in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). For Xarelto 2.5mg, doctors generally recommend taking it twice a day.

In the United States, Xarelto can be highly costly because its patent is still active, preventing competitors from creating cheaper generic versions. While countries such as Canada have federal bodies that control how much pharmaceutical companies can charge for their products, the U.S. has no such system. To cut costs on prescription drugs, Americans are adopting a number of budget-friendly strategies. One increasingly popular approach is to purchase drugs from verified online pharmacies and pharmacy referral services like My Drug Center. Doing so allows you to take advantage of the lower price of medications from countries outside the U.S.

Xarelto from Canada

Brand-name and generic rivaroxaban are considerably more affordable through a Canadian pharmacy such as My Drug Center. Why? Because not only are brand-name drugs priced significantly lower across the border, generic Xarelto is also available from Canada. As mentioned above, generic and brand-name versions use the same active ingredient rivaroxaban. This means that you can expect the same safety and efficacy from either versions. Some people prefer their medications to be brand name, but generic rivaroxaban is a cheaper alternative.

Common side effects of rivaroxaban may include the following:

• Belly pain
• Back pain
• Muscle spasm
• Fatigue (lack of energy)
• Dizziness
• Fainting
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Trouble sleeping
• Itching [2]

These side effects may not be cause for concern, but more serious side effects may require medical attention.

Serious side effects include:

• Excessive bleeding
• Severe allergic reaction
• Spinal blood clot
• Increased risk of blood clots upon stopping Xarelto

Cautions

Before starting treatment with rivaroxaban, it is important to tell your doctor if you have any conditions that make this blood thinner dangerous for you. Do not use Xarelto if you have an artificial heart valve. If you are allergic to rivaroxaban, do not begin treatment. Additionally, tell your doctor if you have liver disease, kidney disease, or a condition called antiphospholipid syndrome that increases the risk of blood clots. Take Xarelto with food to reduce the risk of side effects. You can crush the tablet and mix it in a soft food item like applesauce if you have trouble swallowing the tablet whole. It is very important to talk to your doctor before stopping Xarelto. Doing so without your physician’s supervision may result in life-threatening blood clots and other adverse complications. Store this blood thinner at room temperature and away from heat and moisture.

What is Xarelto used for?

Xarelto is approved for to help lower the risk of blood clots and their subsequent complications within a few different conditions. One of the most common uses of Xarelto is for the risk prevention of stroke and blood clotting in patients with atrial fibrillation (AFib), a heart rhythm disorder. 

Who makes Xarelto?

Xarelto is made by Janssen Pharmaceutica. The company was founded in 1953 by Paul Janssen, with help from his father, Constant Janssen, who was a physician that aided in the distribution of pharmaceutical products a Hungarian pharmaceutical company. Between 1990 and 2004, Janssen Pharmaceutica expanded worldwide, growing in size by approximately 28,000 employees.

How long does Xarelto stay in your system?

When it comes to how long it takes a medication to clear from the system, it will always vary between individuals based on many personal factors. These factors may include age, weight, genetic make-up, other medications and medical conditions, and many others. Xarelto is especially sensitive to age; it typically clears out of the system of healthy patients aged 20-45 quicker than that of the elderly. 

Why take Xarelto with food?

Depending on what dose you have been prescribed, you may or may not have to take this medication with food. A study found that for the 10mg dose, you may take it with or without food, as directed by your doctor. However, the 15 and 20 mg dosages should be taken with food. Taking Xarelto on an empty stomach can decrease the bioavailability of the drug. 

When will Xarelto go generic?

You do not have to wait for Xarelto to go generic in the U.S. Join thousands of Americans today who are saving on their blood thinner medications by getting generic Xarelto from Canadian pharmacies like My Drug Center. If you prefer brand-name drugs, My Drug Center also carries brand-name Xarelto at a fraction of the price at your local pharmacy.

What are the side effects of Xarelto?

Some of the most common side effects of this medication are becoming easily bruised or minor bleeding (such as a nose bleed or bleeding gums). While these are the most common side effects, they are not the only ones that are listed. Be aware that there are many different possible side effects that may occur. Also keep in mind that side effects are a normal response of the body when taking a new medication and should not alarm you. If they do become unmanageable or do not subside with time, consult with your doctor.

Why is Xarelto so expensive?

Xarelto's high price point is due to its active patent that prevents competitors from driving the price down. There is also a high demand for Xarelto because it is a very effective anticoagulant. The good news is that online Canadian pharmacies like My Drug Center make it possible for you to order medication internationally from the comfort of your own home and have it shipped directly to your front door for an easy and affordable way to fill your prescription. This significantly lowers the price of Xarelto and makes it more accessible to patients in the U.S.

How long has Xarelto been on the market?

Xarelto has been approved for prevention of deep vein thrombosis in patients undergoing surgery since 2011. In 2012, the approved uses for Xarelto were expanded to treat and reduce recurrence of blood clots and in 2017, were approved to market a 10 mg tablet. In 2018, another approved use was added; reducing the risk of major cardiovascular events in patients with chronic coronary artery disease or peripheral artery disease, and again in 2019 for the prevention of blood clots in acutely ill medical patients.