Xarelto – properties, indications, dosage

Proven content

Stroke, pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis are conditions that affect many people. The treatment of these diseases is carried out by the use of appropriate drugs. Xarelto is one of them. What properties does it have? What are the opinions about it? What’s in the package leaflet? Here is some information.

Xarleto – co to za lek?

Xarleto is an anticoagulant medicine. It can only be obtained with a prescription and is available as 2,5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg and 20 mg film-coated tablets. The tablet core contains substances such as: lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, sodium lauryl sulfate, hypromellose, magnesium stearate. In turn, the shell contains: iron oxide red (E172), hypromellose, titanium dioxide (E171), macrogol 3350.

The substance is rapidly absorbed and the maximum plasma concentration is reached after 2-4 hours. 2/3 of the dose is excreted in faeces and urine, and the remainder – unchanged – through the kidneys. Rivaroxaban is a direct and highly selective inhibitor of active factor X and therefore blocks the production of thrombin and the formation of a blood clot. It does not affect platelets and does not block active factor II.

Xarleto – indication for application

The active substance in Xarleto is rivaroxiban. Rivaroxiban has an anticoagulant effect and is used, among others, in in the prevention of stroke, systemic embolism in adults with atrial fibrillation, but not related to valvular disease. It also helps in the treatment of deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism and the prevention of recurrent deep vein syndrome.

Xarleto – contraindications to use

Xarleto should not be used by people who are allergic or hypersensitive to even one ingredient of the preparation. Contraindication are also recent or active bleeding of clinical significance, e.g. esophageal varices, veno-arterial malformations, malignant neoplasm with a high risk of bleeding, recent brain or spine injury, recent brain surgery, ophthalmic surgery or spine surgery.

The drug is not intended for:

1. people with liver disease with coagulopathy and a high risk of bleeding.
2. people taking anticoagulants in parallel, e.g. unfractionated heparin, low molecular weight heparins (enoxaparin, dalteparin, etc.), heparin derivatives (fondaparinux etc.), oral anticoagulants (warfarin, dabigatran etexilate, etc.),
3. pregnant women and women during breastfeeding.

Contraindication to the use of Xarleto is also recent intracranial hemorrhage, vascular aneurysm and abnormalities in the area of ​​intracerebral and intramedullary vessels. It should also not be taken by people with liver cirrhosis grade B and C according to. the Child Pugh classification and those with any disorder likely to cause serious bleeding.

Xarleto – interactions with other medications

The manufacturer of the drug does not recommend the use of Xarleto to patients who are receiving systemic antifungal treatment with azole derivatives such as ketoconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole and posaconazole. It should also not be used by patients treated with HIV-protease inhibitors. If not, rivaroxaban plasma concentrations may increase to clinically significant levels, resulting in bleeding.

1. Learn how to follow an anti-fungal diet

Caution should also be exercised by patients taking medical devices that affect the process of haemostasis, which include, among others, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, platelet aggregation inhibitors, anticoagulant preparations and ascetylsalicylic acid. Before using the drug, the patient should consult a physician and inform him of all recently taken drugs, including those sold without a prescription.

Xarleto – side effects

Xarleto, like any medical device, causes side effects. However, they will not occur in all people taking the preparation. However, in some cases, there may be:

1. dizziness,
2. Headache,
3. eye hemorrhage,
4. epistaxis,
5. arterial hypotension,
6. bleeding gums
7. rectal haemorrhage
8. stomach and stomach pains,
9. intestinal pain,
10. indigestion,
11. nausea,
12. vomiting,
13. itching
14. rash,
15. bruising
16. cutaneous and subcutaneous hemorrhage,
17. hematuria,
18. excessive menstrual bleeding
19. fever,
20. kidney problems
21. tiredness,
22. asthenia,
23. peripheral edema.

Other side effects, but less frequent than those mentioned above, include:

1. thrombocythemia,
2. Allergic reaction,
3. allergic dermatitis,
4. amylazy,
5. GGT,
6. dry mouth,
7. liver dysfunction
8. bleeding into a joint,
9. tachycardia,
10. fainting
11. cerebral hemorrhage,
12. intracranial hemorrhage,
13. allergic swelling.

Xarleto – dosage

The amount of the drug dose should be determined by the attending physician. The patient should not exceed it, as it will not increase the effectiveness of the treatment, but only pose a threat to health. The manufacturer’s recommended daily dose of Xarleto is 10 mg taken orally. The duration of treatment also depends on the patient’s health status, but for patients undergoing major hip surgery a treatment duration of 5 weeks is recommended; patients undergoing major knee joint treatments should be treated with the preparation for 2 weeks.

Xarleto – the effects of an overdose

Due to its pharmacodynamic properties, an excess of rivaroxaban may cause bleeding complications. There is no medical device that will neutralize this effect of Xarleto, so in the event of an overdose of the preparation, the manufacturer of the drug suggests the use of activated charcoal. It also indicates that if haemorrhage occurs, treatment may be discontinued or the next dose may be administered later, depending on the clinical situation.

Another option may be to implement symptomatic treatment, e.g. mechanical pressure, surgical interventions, transfusion of blood or blood components, or the use of haemodynamic support and fluid administration. It is worth knowing that bleeding can be life-threatening, so a possible solution to this problem may be the administration of recombinant factor VIIa – this is what the manufacturer recommends in the package leaflet. In the event of an overdose of the drug, it is worth consulting with the attending physician.

Xarelto – reviews

Xarelto has various opinions. They can be found on internet forums and portals. These are mostly positive statements. People treating Xarelto praise it for its effectiveness and convenient method of taking – the drug can be used in the form of a crushed tablet, which should be mixed with water or apple puree, and then taken orally.