Xarelto is a medication that helps to thin the blood. It’s a prescription anticoagulant that helps to reduce the risks of stroke for those who have been diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat that is not caused by a heart valve issue. It is also used to treat deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and other unusual blood clots that may occur in the hip or knee following surgical procedures.
Why is Xarelto prescribed for these individuals? Because it is a low maintenance prescription when compared to a common anticoagulant like warfarin. Instead of requiring regular blood tests to monitor the effectiveness of the medication, Xarelto requires to regular blood monitoring at all. There are also no dietary restrictions that are known and it doesn’t have the frequent dosing changes that other anticoagulants tend to have.
This is why Xarelto is the #1 anticoagulant in its class. More than 11 million prescriptions have been written at the time of this writing.
What Makes Xarelto Different?
Instead of blocking the body’s ability to create clots by through interference with available Vitamin K, Xarelto blocks the enzyme Factor 10a that is needed to form clots. Once the first blood tests are confirmed to create a diagnosis of a blood clot or there is the threat of an inappropriate clot forming, no further regular tests are needed.
Certain medications, however, may lead to an increased level of testing to make sure that a person’s health is still following the treatment plan guidelines. The most important medication to avoid is aspirin, as it also thins the blood, but certain supplements, herbs, and other medications may also need to be avoided. If they are not, then regular testing may be necessary to measure blood clotting levels.
Once Xarelto is recommended, most people will receive the same dose of the medication every day. There are no changes to how the blood clotting happens as with warfarin, which is why regular blood testing is eliminated.
What Are the Side Effects of Xarelto?
The most common unwanted side effect of Xarelto is unusual bleeding. Many people have reported experiencing nosebleeds while taking this medication. Having larger than normal bruises or bruising more easily is also common because of the blood being thinner than normal. Others may feel dizzy, tired, or faint.
Xarelto is also known to cause an upset stomach if it is taken without food. It may also cause indigestion or a feeling of general malaise. Certain blood tests may also be affected and circulation changes that cause fluid buildup in the extremities may also occur. If this happens or if any unusual bleeding occurs after an injury, it is important to seek medical help right away.
There is always the potential for side effects that have not been documented occurring as well. If unusual symptoms do occur while taking Xarelto, then be sure to discuss this situation with a medical provider immediately. The potential benefits of this medication, however, may outweigh the potential risks that the side effects may bring.
What If I’m on Warfarin Already?
Patients that are already taking warfarin can be successfully switched over to Xarelto based on the results of their INR blood test. As soon as the ratio is below 3.0, then the switch may occur because this will help people be able to avoid dangerous periods of anticoagulation which may occur during the transfer period.
Most people can successfully take Xarelto, but it is not for everyone. Warfarin is a better anticoagulant for individuals that have a sensitivity to rivaroxaban, which is the medication used in Xarelto. People who have major bleeding that remains active are also not suited for this medication. It has not been studied in patients who have a prosthetic heart valve or in women who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant.
People who receive spinal anesthesia injections or epidurals may also wish to avoid Xarelto because of an increased risk of blood clotting. Hematomas have occurred during this procedure in the past that have led to long-term neurological consequences that have negatively impacted individual health.
The Xarelto blood test results explained here are based on the initial tests that would confirm a blood clot. Once that has occurred, no further testing is typically necessary. No INR testing is required and that is what gives this medication a tremendous advantage. Speak with your doctor about the pros and cons of taking Xarelto to see if this anticoagulant could be a better choice to meet your health needs.