What it means
A direct oral anticoagulantan-tee-koh-AG-yoo-luntA drug that slows the blood's ability to form clots.anti- againstcoagul/o clotting-ant an agent that doesFull entry used to prevent stroke in atrial fibrillation, to treat and prevent deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, and after hip or knee replacement. Routine blood tests are not needed. The main risk is bleeding. Stopping it early raises the risk of clots, and spinal or epidural procedures carry a risk of bleeding around the spinal cord.
For the nurse
The higher doses (15 and 20 mg) are taken with the evening meal. Teach the client to report bleeding gums, blood in urine or black stools, to avoid NSAIDs unless approved, and never to stop it without the prescriber. Andexanet alfa can reverse it.
At a glance
| Drug class | anticoagulant (factor Xa inhibitor) |
|---|---|
| Brand names | Xarelto |
| Also written | Xarelto |
Related terms
deep vein thrombosis
A blood clot in a deep vein, most often in the leg or pelvis.
atrial fibrillation
An irregular heart rhythm in which the upper chambers of the heart quiver instead of beating in an organized way.
anticoagulant
A drug that slows the blood's ability to form clots.
pulmonary embolism
A blockage of an artery in the lungs, usually by a blood clot that has traveled there from elsewhere in the body.