Rivaxib (Rivaroxaban)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Rivaxib Used For?
Rivaxib contains rivaroxaban, which belongs to a group of medicines called anticoagulants. It helps prevent your blood from forming dangerous clots that could cause serious health problems.
Primary Uses
Rivaxib is used to prevent blood clots in your veins after hip or knee replacement surgery, prevent blood clots in your brain (stroke) and other blood vessels if you have irregular heart rhythm called non-valvular atrial fibrillation, and treat blood clots in leg veins (deep vein thrombosis) and lung clots (pulmonary embolism) while preventing them from coming back.
How It Works
Rivaxib works by blocking a blood clotting protein called Factor Xa, which reduces your blood’s tendency to form clots.
Good to know: Rivaxib is only available with a doctor’s prescription and should only be used in adults under medical supervision.
How to Take Rivaxib
Always follow your doctor’s instructions exactly when taking Rivaxib. The dosage and timing depend on what condition you’re treating.
Dosage Instructions
For preventing clots after hip or knee surgery: one 10 mg tablet once daily with or without food. For preventing stroke: one 20 mg tablet once daily (or 15 mg if you have kidney problems). For treating blood clots: one 15 mg tablet twice daily for first three weeks, then one 20 mg tablet once daily. The 15 mg and 20 mg tablets must be taken with food. Swallow tablets whole with a full glass of water.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If taking once daily: take the missed dose as soon as you remember, but don’t take more than one tablet in a single day. If taking twice daily: take the missed dose as soon as you remember, or you can take two 15 mg tablets at the same time if needed to get your total daily dose.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a forgotten tablet, as this may increase your chance of getting unwanted side effects.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Diarrhea, indigestion, or stomach pain
- Constipation
- Feeling sick (nausea)
- Fast heart beat
- Tiredness, pale skin and breathlessness
- Fever
- Headache
- Pain in arms or legs
- Frequent infections with severe chills, sore throat and mouth ulcers
- Mild rash, itchy skin
- Bruising
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Prolonged or excessive bleeding from gums, nose, or heavy menstrual bleeding
- Allergic reactions (rash, swelling, breathing problems)
- Signs of liver problems (yellowing of skin/eyes)
- Blood in urine or stool
- Vomiting or coughing up blood
- Breathlessness, chest pain
- Dizziness, fainting
- Exceptional weakness
- Numbness in arms and legs
- Unexplained swelling
- Severe skin blistering and bleeding in lips, eyes, mouth, nose and genitals
- Extensive skin rash with fever
- Oozing from surgical wound
Important Warnings
There are several important situations where Rivaxib should not be used or requires special caution.
Who Should Not Take Rivaxib
Do not take Rivaxib if you are allergic to rivaroxaban, bleeding excessively or at increased risk of bleeding, have liver disease that increases bleeding risk, have end stage kidney disease or are on dialysis, are taking certain antifungal medicines (ketoconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, posaconazole) unless only applied to skin, are taking HIV medicines like ritonavir, had brain bleeding within the last 6 months, or if the medicine is expired or damaged.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, prosthetic heart valves, liver disease, severe antiphospholipid syndrome, increased bleeding risk (including bleeding disorders, very high blood pressure, active or recent stomach ulcers, eye blood vessel problems, recent brain bleeding, recent brain/spinal/eye surgery), coronary artery disease with severe heart failure, active cancer, or intolerance to lactose.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Do not take Rivaxib if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Women should use reliable contraception while taking this medicine. Do not take Rivaxib if you are breastfeeding, as it’s unknown whether the medicine passes into breast milk.
Surgery Warning: Tell your doctor, dentist, or pharmacist if you need any operation or dental work while taking Rivaxib. Special timing instructions are critical before and after procedures.
Drug Interactions
Several medicines can interfere with Rivaxib and affect how it works, either increasing bleeding risk or reducing effectiveness.
Important: Your doctor may need to adjust your dose or provide additional stomach protection if you’re taking medicines that increase bleeding risk.
- Other blood-thinning medicines (enoxaparin, clopidogrel, warfarin)
- Depression medicines (SSRIs, SNRIs)
- Anti-inflammatory and pain medicines (naproxen, aspirin)
- Epilepsy medicines (phenytoin, carbamazepine)
- St John’s Wort herbal product
- Rifampicin antibiotic
Alcohol & Driving
Be careful with activities that require alertness until you know how Rivaxib affects you.
Alcohol
No specific alcohol warnings mentioned in the source material.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before driving or using machines until you know how Rivaxib affects you. This medicine may cause dizziness or light-headedness in some people. If you experience these symptoms, do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous.
Storage
Store Rivaxib below 25°C in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat, and sunlight. Keep tablets in their blister pack until it’s time to take them. Don’t store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills. Keep out of reach of children in a locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half meters above ground.
Overdose Information
If you think you or anyone else has taken too much Rivaxib, urgent medical attention may be needed as it increases bleeding risk. Immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department, even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
The source doesn’t specify exact timing, but Rivaxib begins working to reduce blood clotting once you start taking it. Your doctor will determine how long you need to continue treatment based on your condition.
Yes, it depends on the strength. The 10mg tablet can be taken with or without food, but the 15mg and 20mg tablets must be taken with food.
Do not stop taking Rivaxib suddenly without checking with your doctor first. If you stop suddenly, your condition may worsen or you may have unwanted side effects. Your doctor may gradually reduce your dose before stopping completely.
You must tell your doctor, dentist, or pharmacist if you need any operation or dental work while taking Rivaxib. It’s very important to take Rivaxib exactly at the times your doctor tells you before and after any procedure.
If taking once daily: take the missed dose as soon as you remember, but don’t take more than one tablet in a single day. If taking twice daily: take it as soon as you remember, or you can take two 15mg tablets at the same time if needed.
If you have difficulty swallowing tablets whole, talk to your doctor. The tablet may be crushed and mixed with water or apple puree immediately before taking, and this should be followed immediately by food.
Like other anticoagulants, Rivaxib may cause bleeding which could potentially be life-threatening. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any signs of unusual or excessive bleeding, including prolonged bleeding from cuts, heavy menstrual bleeding, or blood in urine or stool.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.