What does it do?

Rivaroxaban is used to treat and prevent clots in your blood. It reduces your risk of having a stroke and stops new clots in your legs or lungs.

Before you start

• Tell your doctor if you have kidney, bleeding, liver or stomach problems.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.

How should you take it?

Take rivaroxaban regularly as directed. Take the tablets with food and a glass of water. If you are only taking 10mg once a day, you can take the tablets with or without food.

What if you forget a dose?

If you take rivaroxaban once a day:
Take the missed dose if you remember on the same day. If not, skip the dose and carry on as normal. Do not take two doses at the same time.

If you take rivaroxaban twice a day:
Take the missed dose as soon as possible. You can take two doses together at the same time. Carry on as normal the next day.

Can you take other medicines?

Some medicines available without a prescription may react with rivaroxaban including:

• anti-inflammatories, such as diclofenac (e.g. Voltaren®), ibuprofen (e.g. Nurofen®), or aspirin (e.g. Disprin®, in doses used for pain relief). These can also be found in some cold and flu medicines (e.g. Nurofen Cold and Flu®).
• low-dose aspirin (e.g. Cartia®) - sometimes used with rivaroxaban, check with your doctor.
• fluconazole (e.g. Diflucan®)

Tell your pharmacist or doctor about all medicines or treatments that you may be taking, including vitamins, herbal products (e.g. St John's wort) or recreational drugs.

What side effects might you notice?

Side Effects	Recommended action
Reduced number of blood cells that help your blood to clot - symptoms include: easy or unusual bruising or bleeding Coughing or vomiting of blood, vomit that looks like coffee grounds Nose bleeds Red or dark brown urine, red or black bowel motions Headache, dizziness, changes in vision or speech, fainting	Tell your doctor immediately
Stomach pain Tiredness, pale skin	Tell your doctor

If you notice any other effects, discuss them with your doctor or pharmacist.

Other information:

• It is important to tell anyone who gives you medical or dental treatment (e.g. doctor, dentist, pharmacist or podiatrist) that you are taking rivaroxaban.