IMPORTANT WARNING
If you have epidural or spinal anesthesia or a spinal puncture while taking a 'blood thinner' such as rivaroxaban, you are at risk for having a blood clot form in or around your spine that could cause you to become paralyzed. Tell your doctor if you have an epidural catheter that is left in your body or have or have ever had repeated epidural or spinal punctures, spinal deformity, or spinal surgery. Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking anagrelide (Agrylin); other anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven); aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen (Oruvail), naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox, Naprelan), or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs); cilostazol (Pletal); clopidogrel (Plavix); dipyridamole (Persantine); eptifibatide (Integrilin); prasugrel (Effient); sulfinpyrazone (Anturane); ticlopidine (Ticlid); and tirofiban (Aggrastat). If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: muscle weakness, numbness or tingling (especially in your legs), or inability to move your legs.
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Why is this medication prescribed?
Rivaroxaban is used to prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT; a blood clot, usually in the leg), which can lead to pulmonary embolism (PE; a blood clot in the lung), in people who are having hip replacement or knee replacement surgery. Rivaroxaban is in a class of medications called factor Xa inhibitors. It works by decreasing the clotting ability of the blood.
National Library of Medicine | National Institutes of Health | Department of Health and Human Services
