What is the drug Xarelto used for?

October 14, 2025 •

2 min read

Approximately one in three people who experience a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) will have long-term complications, emphasizing the critical need for effective treatment. This brings up the question, what is the drug Xarelto used for? It is a potent direct oral anticoagulant prescribed to prevent and treat dangerous blood clots across a range of medical conditions.

Quick Summary

Xarelto (rivaroxaban) is a Factor Xa inhibitor medication used to prevent strokes in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, as well as to treat and prevent deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.

Key Points

Factor Xa Inhibitor: Xarelto is a direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) that blocks a specific clotting factor called Factor Xa, preventing blood clots from forming or enlarging.
Approved Uses: Xarelto is used to reduce the risk of stroke in adults with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation and to treat and prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). It is also used to prevent DVT and PE after hip or knee replacement surgery and to reduce major cardiovascular events in patients with CAD or PAD.
Reduced Monitoring: Xarelto typically does not require regular blood tests or have dietary restrictions, unlike warfarin.
Bleeding Risk: The most significant risk is bleeding. Patients should not stop taking it without a doctor's advice.
Contraindications: Xarelto is not suitable for individuals with certain conditions like active bleeding, artificial heart valves, or severe kidney/liver issues.

Understanding the role of Xarelto (rivaroxaban)

Xarelto, known generically as rivaroxaban, is a direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) or "blood thinner". It prevents or reduces blood clots by inhibiting Factor Xa, a key clotting factor. Unlike older drugs like warfarin, Xarelto offers predictable dosing and fewer interactions with food.

How Xarelto prevents blood clots

Xarelto works by blocking Factor Xa, an enzyme essential for the blood clotting process. By inhibiting Factor Xa, Xarelto disrupts the formation of fibrin, the protein that forms stable blood clots. This targeted action makes Xarelto's effects more predictable than warfarin, which affects multiple clotting factors.

Primary medical uses of Xarelto

Xarelto is FDA-approved for several conditions involving blood clots. The specific uses and dosages of Xarelto can vary. For detailed information on specific conditions such as stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation, treatment and prevention of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, prevention of DVT and PE after surgery, and reduction of major cardiovascular events, please refer to the {Link: XARELTO® Official Patient Website https://www.xarelto-us.com/}.

Comparing Xarelto with traditional anticoagulants

For a detailed comparison between Xarelto (Rivaroxaban) and Warfarin (Coumadin) covering features such as drug class, mechanism, routine monitoring requirements, dietary interactions, onset/offset times, reversal agents, cost, and dosage, please see the information available on the {Link: XARELTO® Official Patient Website https://www.xarelto-us.com/}.

Important considerations and risks

The main risk of Xarelto is bleeding. Other potential side effects include back pain, stomach pain, muscle spasms, and dizziness. Xarelto may not be suitable for individuals with active pathological bleeding, artificial heart valves, severe kidney or liver problems, those undergoing spinal procedures, or individuals with triple-positive antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). Stopping Xarelto prematurely increases the risk of blood clots. Patients should never stop the medication without consulting their doctor.

Conclusion

Xarelto is an important oral anticoagulant used to prevent and treat various blood clot-related conditions. Its mechanism of inhibiting Factor Xa offers advantages over older drugs like warfarin, including ease of use with no routine blood monitoring or dietary restrictions. The key uses and comparisons with traditional anticoagulants like Warfarin are detailed on the {Link: XARELTO® Official Patient Website https://www.xarelto-us.com/}. While bleeding is the primary risk, strict adherence to the prescribed dosage is crucial to avoid complications. Patients should consult their healthcare provider to determine if Xarelto is appropriate for their specific needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Xarelto is an anticoagulant, commonly referred to as a 'blood thinner.' It works by blocking a specific clotting factor (Factor Xa) in the blood to prevent clots from forming or getting larger.

Xarelto and warfarin are both anticoagulants but belong to different drug classes. Xarelto is a Factor Xa inhibitor with a fixed dose that doesn't require frequent blood monitoring or dietary restrictions. Warfarin is a vitamin K antagonist that requires regular blood tests (INR) and is affected by diet.

The most common side effect of Xarelto is bleeding, which can manifest as easy bruising, nosebleeds, or bleeding gums. Other possible side effects include stomach pain, back pain, and muscle spasms.

No, you should never stop taking Xarelto without consulting your doctor. Prematurely stopping treatment increases the risk of dangerous blood clots and stroke.

Yes, there is a reversal agent called Andexxa (andexanet alfa) that can be used to reverse the anticoagulant effects of Xarelto in cases of severe, uncontrollable bleeding.

You should not take Xarelto if you have active pathological bleeding, a severe allergic reaction to its ingredients, an artificial heart valve, or severe kidney or liver disease.

Xarelto has a relatively short half-life compared to warfarin, and it is typically cleared from the body within 24 hours in younger adults. This is a factor doctors consider before surgery.