Skip to content
ClinCalc Pro
Menu
Calculators Drugs Pathways AI Dx Donate Get the App
Direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) — Factor Xa inhibitor

Rivaroxaban

Brand names: Xarelto

Used in: Venous Thromboembolism (DVT & PE)

Rivaroxaban is a direct oral factor Xa inhibitor (DOAC) for atrial-fibrillation stroke prevention, VTE treatment/prevention and, at low dose, vascular protection.

Dosing — being independently re-sourced

ClinCalc Pro is rebuilding its dose data from primary open sources — the manufacturer SmPC (eMC), the WHO Model Formulary and other official references — under clinician review. This drug's structured dose is not yet published here. Confirm all doses against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.

US labelling (FDA)

Reference — US labelling, may differ from UK

Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation : 15 or 20 mg, once daily with food ( 2.1 ) Treatment of DVT and/or PE : 15 mg orally twice daily with food for the first 21 days followed by 20 mg orally once daily with food for the remaining treatment ( 2.1 ) Reduction in the Risk of Recurrence of DVT and/or PE in patients at continued risk for DVT and/or PE : 10 mg once daily with or without food, after at least 6 months of standard anticoagulant treatment ( 2.1 ) Prophylaxis of DVT Following Hip or Knee Replacement Surgery : 10 mg orally once daily with or without food ( 2.1 ) Prophylaxis of VTE in Acutely Ill Medical Patients at Risk for Thromboembolic Complications Not at High Risk of Bleeding : 10 mg …

Source: US FDA prescribing information (openFDA / DailyMed), label dated 2026-01-16. Accessed 2026-06-12. US dosing and indications can differ from UK practice — use UK sources for prescribing decisions.

Clinical monograph

How it works

It directly inhibits factor Xa.

Prescribing in practice

  • The higher treatment doses must be taken with food for adequate absorption; most indications are once daily.
  • Dose-reduce in renal impairment and avoid if severe; avoid in significant hepatic impairment with coagulopathy.
  • Bleeding is the main risk (andexanet alfa reversal where available).

Monitoring

Monitor renal and hepatic function and the full blood count; watch for bleeding.

Counselling the patient

  • Take the higher treatment dose with food, at the same time each day.
  • Report any bleeding.
  • Tell clinicians you take it before procedures.

Evidence & guidelines

Effective for AF and VTE (ROCKET-AF, EINSTEIN; NICE NG196).

Reference: NICE NG196; EINSTEIN trials; ROCKET-AF trial; Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).

Related

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

Calculators
Drugs
Pathways