Rivaroxaban
Rivaroxaban is a blood thinner (anticoagulant) found in 1 medicine sold in India, such as Xarelto. Below: what it is for, how it works, how to take it, side effects, interactions and pregnancy advice.
What it is used for
Prevents and treats blood clots and stroke in irregular heartbeat.
How it works
A direct oral anticoagulant (factor Xa blocker) to prevent strokes in atrial fibrillation and to treat or prevent leg and lung clots. No routine INR tests.
How to take it
Doses of 15 mg and 20 mg must be taken with food; 10 mg with or without. Take at the same time daily; do not stop without advice.
Common side effects
- Bleeding gums
- Nosebleeds
- Bruising
- Anaemia
Get medical help straight away if
- Serious bleeding, black stools, blood in urine
- Sudden severe headache
- Fall with a head injury
Be careful
Increases bleeding risk; do not miss or double doses.
Other medicines and interactions
Bleeding risk with NSAIDs, aspirin, clopidogrel and SSRIs. Ketoconazole, itraconazole and ritonavir raise levels; rifampicin, carbamazepine and phenytoin lower them.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Not used in pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Brands of Rivaroxaban (1)
Common questions
What is Rivaroxaban used for?
Prevents and treats blood clots and stroke in irregular heartbeat.
How does Rivaroxaban work?
A direct oral anticoagulant (factor Xa blocker) to prevent strokes in atrial fibrillation and to treat or prevent leg and lung clots. No routine INR tests.
How should I take Rivaroxaban?
Doses of 15 mg and 20 mg must be taken with food; 10 mg with or without. Take at the same time daily; do not stop without advice.
What are the side effects of Rivaroxaban?
Common: Bleeding gums, nosebleeds, bruising, anaemia. Get help straight away for: Serious bleeding, black stools, blood in urine, sudden severe headache, fall with a head injury.
Does Rivaroxaban interact with other medicines?
Bleeding risk with NSAIDs, aspirin, clopidogrel and SSRIs. Ketoconazole, itraconazole and ritonavir raise levels; rifampicin, carbamazepine and phenytoin lower them.
Is Rivaroxaban safe in pregnancy and breastfeeding?
Not used in pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Does Rivaroxaban need a prescription in India?
Yes. In India it is a prescription (Schedule H) medicine, so a pharmacist should sell it only with a doctor's prescription.
Which brands contain Rivaroxaban?
Xarelto.
Sources and further reading
- Rivaroxaban: NHS · MedlinePlus
NHS (UK National Health Service) and MedlinePlus (US National Library of Medicine) are free, reviewed medicine guides. Brand names and doses there may differ from India.
Last reviewed 31 October 2026. Written by Satya Babu from standard prescribing information.
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