PRODUCT INTRODUCTION
Brand name
Xarelto
uses
Rivaroxaban is used in the following ways: (1) Treating or preventing deep vein thrombosis (blood clots in the legs) or pulmonary embolism (blood clots in the lungs...). (2) Preventing stroke in atrial fibrillation (a condition in which the heart rhythm is irregular). (3) Preventing blood clots after hip or knee replacement surgery. (4) Taken with aspirin to reduce the risk of serious heart disease, heart attack, and stroke in patients with coronary artery disease (a condition in which the blood supply to the heart is reduced or blocked).
mechanism of action
Rivaroxaban is an oral direct factor Xa inhibitor that binds directly and reversibly to factor Xa via the S1 and S4 pockets. Rivaroxaban competitively inhibits Factor Xa, is more than 10,000 times more selective for Factor Xa than other related serine proteases, and does not require cofactors (e.g., antithrombin) for its anticoagulant effect. Unlike indirect factor Xa inhibitors, rivaroxaban inhibits both free and clot-bound factor Xa as well as prothrombinase activity, thereby prolonging clotting time.
Description
Rivaroxaban is a new oral anticoagulant (NOAC), often referred to as a blood thinner. It can be used to treat and control venous thromboembolism, is a postoperative thromboprophylactic agent for orthopaedic surgery patients, prevents stroke in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation, and has recently been approved as an add-on agent for the secondary prevention of acute coronary syndromes and peripheral arterial disease.
side effects
A common side effect of Rivaroxaban is haemorrhage, including intracranial haemorrhage, gastrointestinal haemorrhage, retinal haemorrhage, epidural haematoma, adrenal haemorrhage. Occasional side effects include: central nervous system: dizziness, insomnia, fatigue, depression, anxiety, syncope; skin problems: wound discharge, itching, and skin blisters; gastrointestinal: abdominal pain; liver: serum aminotransferases elevated to >3 x ULN; neuromuscular and skeletal: back pain, limb pain, and muscle spasms. Other rare effects are bronchodilation and pulmonary haemorrhage.