If you need a medication to prevent or treat blood clots, your doctor might suggest Xarelto as a treatment option for you.

Xarelto is a prescription drug used to treat or prevent certain kinds of blood clots in adults and some children in specific situations. An example of the kind of blood clot the drug treats is deep vein thrombosis (DVT). It may also be used to decrease the risk of serious heart and blood vessel problems in certain adults.

The active ingredient in Xarelto is rivaroxaban. An active ingredient is what makes a drug work. It’s part of a group of drugs called blood thinners.

You can take a liquid suspension or a tablets with Xarelto. The doctor may recommend taking the drug for a long time. This depends on the condition you are treating.

For more information about Xarelto, including details about its uses, see this in-depth article.

Xarelto can cause mild to serious side effects. Continue reading to learn more.

Some people may have side effects from their treatment. Some of the reported side effects of Xarelto include:

The side effects explained section is where you can learn more about this side effect.

Mild side effects have been reported with Xarelto.

The side effects explained section is where you can learn more about this side effect.
† An allergic reaction is possible after using Xarelto. But this side effect was only reported after the drug became available on the market.

These side effects should be temporary. Some may be easy to manage. If you have any symptoms that bother you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Unless your doctor recommends it, you should not stop taking it.

Xarelto may cause mild side effects other than the ones listed above. See the drug’s prescribing information for details.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Xarelto, visit MedWatch.

Mild side effects are common with Xarelto. It is possible to develop serious side effects from this medication. There have been serious side effects with Xarelto.

  • It may be life threatening if you have There was bleeding..
  • risk of blood clots after stopping Xarelto treatment too early*
  • Blood can build up around the brain or spine after certain injections.
  • changes in mood, such as anxiety or depression†
  • severe allergic reaction†‡

* Xarelto has a boxed warning for this side effect. This is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To learn more, see the “Side effects explained” section below.
† To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.
‡ An allergic reaction is possible after using Xarelto. But this side effect was only reported after the drug became available on the market.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Xarelto, call your doctor. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you have a medical emergency, immediately call the emergency number.

If you are an older adult, you may wonder if you will have the same side effects as someone younger.

In studies, most of the people taking Xarelto were ages 65 years and older. For the most part, side effects in older adults were the same as those in younger people. But older adults may have an increased risk of blood clots or There was bleeding. from the drug compared with younger adults.

If you have questions about the side effects of Xarelto, you should talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

The most common side effects reported from Xarelto are in children.

Children may have the same side effects as adults. The sections forMild side effects andSerious side effects are available.

“If you have questions about the side effects of Xarelto, you can talk to your child’s doctor or a pharmacist.”

Get answers to questions about the drug.

Does Xarelto cause weight gain or weight loss?

“No, Xarelto shouldn’t change your weight.”

In studies of people taking Xarelto, weight gain and weight loss were not reported as a side effect.

But it’s possible to lose weight from side effects that Xarelto causes. The drug can cause stomach aches, such as stomach flu, or vomiting, which could affect body weight.

If you notice a change in your weight, you should talk to your doctor. They can find out what is causing your weight change and how to manage it.

Does the risk of Xarelto side effects vary based on the strength (such as 10-mg tablets vs. 20-mg tablets)?

It’s possible that you may have an increased risk of side effects when you take a higher dose of Xarelto. But this wasn’t reported in studies of the drug.

The tablets have strengths of 2.5, 10, 15 and 20. It has 1 dose of medication per liter.

The amount of drug in your body is higher if you take a higher strength of Xarelto. This may increase the risk of side effects.

If you are having side effects from Xarelto, talk to your doctor. They can determine if your dose needs adjusting.

For more information about Xarelto’s dosages, see this article.

Are hair loss or headaches side effects of Xarelto?

No, hair loss and headaches are not side effects that you should have from taking Xarelto. These were not reported in studies of the drug.

Other blood thinners, such as Jantoven (warfarin), may cause hair loss. But this does not seem to be the case with Xarelto. If you have hair loss during Xarelto treatment, talk with your doctor about what may be causing it.

Headaches also were not reported in studies of Xarelto. But headaches may be a sign of There was bleeding., which is a side effect of the drug. In addition to headache, other symptoms of There was bleeding. include:

If you have symptoms of There was bleeding., contact your doctor immediately or go to a hospital right away.

Does Xarelto cause thrombocytopenia (low platelet count)?

It’s possible that Xarelto may cause a low platelet count. This side effect was not reported in studies of the drug. But it was reported after the drug became available on the market.

There are symptoms of a low platelet count.

If you notice a low platelet count, you should tell your doctor. If you have low platelet levels, they can order a blood test to see if you need to treat it.

Could I experience liver problems from taking Xarelto?

It’s possible that Xarelto may cause liver problems. This side effect was not reported in studies of Xarelto. But it was reported after the drug became available on the market.

There are symptoms of the liver.

If you have symptoms of a problem with the bile duct, talk to your doctor. They can find out what is causing the problem and discuss the best way to treat it.

Learn about the side effects of Xarelto.

Risk of blood clots after stopping Xarelto treatment too early

Xarelto has a boxed warning for the risk of blood clots after stopping treatment too early. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They alert doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.

If you stop taking any blood thinner such as Xarelto too early, you may increase your risk of blood clots. This can lead to serious or even life threatening reactions, such as a heart attack or stroke.

What might help

If you need to stop the treatment, you should talk to your doctor. They can recommend a different medication for you to help reduce your risk of blood clot.

Risk of blood building up around the brain or spine after certain spinal injections

Xarelto has a boxed warning for the risk of blood building up around the brain or spine after certain spinal injections. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the FDA. They alert doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.

If you have a certain kind of spinal injection while taking Xarelto, your risk of blood building up around your brain or spine increases. Examples of spinal injections that might cause this side effect include spinal or epidural blocks and lumbar punctures.

Buildup of blood around the brain or spine can cause serious side effects, such as paralysis.

There are symptoms of blood build up around the brain.

What might help

If you need to have a procedure, tell your doctor. They recommend that you have the lowest amount of Xarelto in your body if you have the procedure done early. This can help decrease your risk of side effects.

The symptoms of blood build up are listed above. If you develop any of these symptoms, you should go to the hospital.

Talk to your doctor about the side effect.

Fatigue

It’s possible to develop fatigue (low energy) during your treatment with Xarelto. This side effect was common in studies of the drug.

What might help

Over time, fatigue will go away. If it affects your daily activities, tell your doctor. They may recommend another treatment.

Mental health problems, such as anxiety or depression

It’s possible to develop a mental health condition, such as anxiety or depression, from taking Xarelto. This was reported in studies of people taking the medication, though it happened rarely.

This side effect can have symptoms.

  • You used to be interested in activities.
  • “It’s lonely or sad.”
  • “I feel like I’m being very irritable.”
  • Changes in sleep patterns can be caused by things.

What might help

If you develop any symptoms of a mental health problem during your treatment with Xarelto, tell your doctor right away. They’ll be able to recommend ways to manage this side effect. In some cases, they may suggest that you speak with another specialist, such as a psychiatrist.

If you have a mental health problem that is severe, your doctor may recommend a different treatment.

Back pain

It’s possible to develop Back pain. during treatment with Xarelto. But Back pain. was not a common side effect reported in studies of Xarelto.

What might help

If you have Back pain. during your treatment, tell your doctor. It’s possible for Back pain. to be a sign of a more serious condition, such as blood buildup around your brain or spine.* Your doctor will try to determine what is causing your Back pain..

If Xarelto is causing your Back pain., your doctor may recommend taking an over-the-counter pain medication to treat it. An example is Tylenol (acetaminophen).

* Xarelto has a boxed warning for this side effect. This is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To learn more, see “Risk of blood building up around the brain or spine after certain spinal injections” above.

Allergic reaction

Like most drugs, Xarelto can cause an allergic reaction in some people. This side effect wasn’t reported in studies, but it was reported after the drug became available on the market.

Mild to serious symptoms can be present.

  • There is a skin rash.
  • It is itchy.
  • flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
  • “It’s usually under your skin, but it can be anywhere.”
  • It can be hard to breathe if you have swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat.

What might help

If you have a mild rash, call your doctor. They may suggest a treatment to help you. Examples include:

  • an antihistamine you take by mouth, such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
  • You apply a product to your skin.

If your doctor confirms you have an allergy to Xarelto, they will decide if you should continue using it.

If you have a severe allergic reaction, you should call the emergency number. These symptoms could be life threatening and need immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you have had a serious allergic reaction to Xarelto, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Keeping track of side effects

Take notes on any side effects you are having during your treatment with Xarelto. You can share this information with your doctor. This is helpful when you are starting to use a combination of treatments.

Side effect notes can include things.

  • When you had the side effect, what dose of the drug was taking?
  • How soon did you experience the side effect?
  • What are your symptoms?
  • How did it affect your daily activities?
  • What other drugs were you taking?
  • Other information is important to you.

Sharing your notes with your doctor will help them learn more about how Xarelto affects you. If needed, they can use this information to adjust your treatment plan.

The drug comes with warnings, which may affect whether it is a good treatment for your condition. The warnings are discussed.

Boxed warnings

Xarelto has the boxed warnings listed below. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

  • Risk of blood clots after stopping Xarelto too early. If you stop taking Xarelto too early, you may have an increased risk of developing a blood clot. If you need to stop Xarelto treatment for any reason, talk with your doctor. They may recommend that you take a different blood thinner to decrease the risk of this side effect.
  • Risk of blood building up around the brain or spine after certain spinal injections. If you have a certain kind of spinal injection during Xarelto treatment, you may have an increased risk of blood buildup in your brain or spine. Let your doctor know if you’ve got a spinal procedure planned while taking Xarelto. They can let you know when you should take your doses of the drug around the time of your procedure.

To learn more, see the “Side effects explained” section above.

Other warnings

If you have certain medical conditions, you may not be a good choice for Xarelto. These are drug-condition interactions. Other factors may affect whether or not you should use Xarelto.

Before starting Xarelto, you should talk to your doctor about your health history. The list has factors to consider.

Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Xarelto or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Xarelto. Ask them what other medications are better options for you.

Liver problems. Xarelto is broken down in the body by the liver. If your liver isn’t working properly, Xarelto may build up in your body. This can increase the risk of side effects from the drug. If you have liver problems, tell your doctor before taking Xarelto. This can help them determine if Xarelto is a safe treatment option for you.

Kidney problems. If your kidneys aren’t working properly, Xarelto may build up in your body, increasing your risk of side effects. Before starting treatment with Xarelto, tell your doctor about any kidney problems that you have. They may recommend that you take a lower dose of Xarelto. Or they may suggest a different medication to treat your condition.

Triple positive antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). People with triple positive APS may have an increased risk of blood clots from Xarelto. If you have this condition, talk with your doctor before you start taking Xarelto. They’ll likely recommend a different treatment option for you.

Artificial heart valve. Xarelto is not recommended for use in people with artificial heart valves. If you have an artificial heart valve, tell your doctor before starting Xarelto treatment. Your doctor will suggest a different treatment option for you.

Current There was bleeding.. If you currently have There was bleeding., Xarelto may worsen the There was bleeding.. In this case, your doctor will likely not prescribe Xarelto. Instead, they’ll recommend treating your There was bleeding. before you start Xarelto.

Alcohol and Xarelto

There are no known interactions between alcohol and Xarelto. But it’s possible that alcohol may increase your risk of There was bleeding.. Bleeding is also a possible side effect of Xarelto. So drinking alcohol during Xarelto treatment can worsen this side effect.

If you would like to consume alcohol while taking a drug, talk to your doctor. They can tell you how much alcohol is safe to drink.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking Xarelto

It’s not known if it’s safe to take Xarelto during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Taking Xarelto during pregnancy can increase the risk of There was bleeding. for the person who is pregnant as well as the developing fetus.

If you take roxalate during your pregnancies, your doctor will monitor you for blood loss. This may include doing more blood tests. They recommend that you watch for symptoms of blood loss.

  • fatigue (low energy)
  • weakness
  • There is confusion.

Breast milk can be contaminated with Xarelto. It is not known if this will affect a child who is breastfed.

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should talk with your doctor about taking Xarelto. They can discuss with you the risks and benefits of the drug.

Xarelto has side effects that are usually mild. It is possible for serious side effects to occur from taking this drug.

Before starting treatment with Xarelto, you should talk to your doctor about any possible side effects. Some questions to help you get started.

  • Does my risk of side effects increase when I take other medications?
  • What should I do if I become pregnant while taking Xarelto?
  • How do the side effects of Xarelto compare with side effects of other medications to prevent or treat blood clots?
  • Is my risk of There was bleeding. higher when I first start taking Xarelto?

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Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.