Xarelto® (rivaroxaban) tablets for stroke and clot prevention

What Xarelto® Is and How It Works

Xarelto® (rivaroxaban) is a direct oral anticoagulant. It blocks Factor Xa to reduce blood clot formation. It is taken by mouth as film‑coated tablets. Common strengths include 10 mg, 15 mg, and 20 mg. Many people compare xarelto price when choosing where to fill a prescription. Xarelto is used for stroke prevention in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. It treats deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), and helps prevent recurrence. It also prevents DVT after hip or knee replacement. Lower doses (such as 2.5 mg) may be used with aspirin to reduce cardiovascular risk in coronary or peripheral artery disease.

YouDrugstore is a licensed Canadian pharmacy in Manitoba that meets Canadian pharmacy standards. Pharmacists review each prescription before dispensing. We offer brand and generic medicines at Canadian prices, and you can also find OTC health products here. We work with licensed, vetted partner pharmacies to source authentic brands and a broad selection at affordable pricing.

If you wonder “Xarelto is used for what,” doctors prescribe it to prevent stroke in atrial fibrillation and to treat and prevent blood clots. It is a blood thinner taken once daily for many uses. Some conditions use twice‑daily dosing at the start.

Dosage and Usage

Exact dosing is set by the prescriber. Typical regimens are well established:

• Atrial fibrillation: 20 mg once daily with the evening meal. Some patients with reduced kidney function use 15 mg once daily with food.
• Acute DVT/PE treatment: 15 mg twice daily with food for 21 days, then 20 mg once daily with food.
• DVT/PE prevention after treatment: 10 mg once daily; some higher‑risk patients remain on 20 mg once daily with food.
• Post‑hip or knee replacement DVT prevention: 10 mg once daily, with or without food.
• CAD/PAD risk reduction: 2.5 mg twice daily with low‑dose aspirin.

Xarelto and food: take 15 mg and 20 mg doses with food. The 10 mg dose can be taken with or without food. Swallow tablets whole with water. For patients unable to swallow whole tablets, prescribers may direct specific administration methods.

Missed dose guidance:

• Once‑daily dosing: take the missed tablet as soon as remembered on the same day. Then take the next dose at the usual time the next day.
• 15 mg twice‑daily start phase: take the missed dose as soon as possible to reach the total daily 30 mg. It is acceptable to take two 15 mg tablets together to meet the day’s total.

Storage and travel:

• Store at room temperature, about 20–25 °C (68–77 °F).
• Keep tablets dry, in the original bottle or blister.
• When you travel, keep your supply in hand luggage. Avoid heat and moisture.
• Use a reminder tool if helpful. You can turn on reorder reminders in your account.

For more detail on 20 mg dosing, see our article Xarelto 20 Mg Key Information On Uses And Safety.

Benefits and Savings

Clinical benefits are well studied. Xarelto reduces the risk of stroke in atrial fibrillation without routine INR checks. It treats DVT and PE and lowers the chance of another clot. After joint surgery, it lowers the risk of a first clot. It is a once‑daily option for most long‑term uses. The tablet is small and easy to take.

Many patients compare xarelto cost per month to local options. Buying from a Canadian pharmacy can offer 60–80% savings vs typical US prices. Total cost depends on strength and tablet count. The xarelto 20mg price may differ from 10 mg or 15 mg. Some customers look at xarelto price with insurance and still choose a Canadian fill for value. Multi‑month supplies can lower the per‑month price, and we run bulk promotions when available.

Side Effects and Safety

Bleeding is the most common effect. Many people do well, but some may notice mild signs like easy bruising. Seek urgent help for signs of major bleeding.

• Common: bruising, nosebleeds, gum bleeding, heavier menstrual bleeding, mild GI upset.
• Less common: anemia, dizziness, headache, fatigue, nausea.
• Serious: prolonged or heavy bleeding, black stools, coughing blood, severe headache, weakness on one side, vision changes. Spinal or epidural hematoma can occur with spinal procedures.

Do not stop Xarelto suddenly without prescriber guidance, as clot risk can rise. Tell healthcare providers about Xarelto before any procedures. Avoid combining with other blood thinners or NSAIDs unless directed. Strong CYP3A4 and P‑gp inhibitors (for example, ketoconazole, ritonavir) can raise rivaroxaban levels. Strong inducers (such as rifampin, carbamazepine) can lower levels.

Not for patients with active bleeding. Avoid use in severe liver disease with coagulopathy. Use in pregnancy is not recommended unless the benefit outweighs risk. For concerns in older adults, see How To Manage Side Effects Of Xarelto In The Elderly.

Onset Time

Rivaroxaban starts working within two to four hours after a dose. Peak effect follows shortly after. The half‑life is about 5–9 hours in younger adults and 11–13 hours in older adults. Anticoagulant effect fades within about a day after stopping, but timing varies by kidney function and dose.

Compare With Alternatives

Apixaban is another Factor Xa inhibitor. It often uses a twice‑daily maintenance dose and has a strong evidence base for stroke prevention and VTE treatment. Some patients switch due to dosing preference or interaction profiles. Compare options with a prescriber, and see our product page for Eliquis® if brand apixaban is preferred.

Dabigatran is a direct thrombin inhibitor. It is given twice daily and may cause more dyspepsia in some patients. An antidote (idarucizumab) is available. See Pradaxa® for details on the brand option.

Warfarin is a vitamin K antagonist. It is effective and inexpensive but needs INR monitoring and has many food and drug interactions. Some patients still use warfarin for mechanical heart valves, where DOACs are not indicated. For an overview comparing agents, review Xarelto Vs Eliquis Which Anticoagulant Suits You Best.

Combination Therapy

Xarelto may be paired with low‑dose aspirin in stable coronary or peripheral artery disease at 2.5 mg twice daily. This combination lowers cardiovascular events but increases bleeding risk. It should be used only when the benefit outweighs the risk. Combining with other antiplatelets or NSAIDs increases bleeding risk and needs careful oversight. For pre‑procedure planning, clinicians weigh clot risk versus bleed risk and may adjust timing around surgery or neuraxial anesthesia.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

Good candidates include adults with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation who need stroke prevention, and those treating DVT or PE. Patients after hip or knee replacement often use short‑term 10 mg dosing. People with mechanical heart valves or moderate‑to‑severe mitral stenosis should not use DOACs for stroke prevention. Caution applies in severe kidney or liver impairment. Xarelto in pregnancy and during breastfeeding is generally not advised unless benefits are clear. Clinicians consider age, weight, renal function, and other drugs when choosing dose.

Cost tips: consider a larger supply to reduce shipping cost per month. Reorder reminders can help prevent gaps in therapy. If you compare xarelto 20mg cost, also check 15 mg and 10 mg pricing since strengths differ. Prices vary by quantity, strength, and brand versus generic. For current deals and bulk options, see our xarelto coupon page.

You can browse related conditions to learn more about risks and goals of care. See Atrial Fibrillation and Deep Vein Thrombosis for general education. Our team can answer ordering questions by chat during posted office hours. Pharmacists are available to address medication questions.

Authoritative Sources

Xarelto Prescribing Information (Janssen)

Health Canada Drug Product Database: Xarelto

FDA Labeling for Rivaroxaban

YouDrugstore offers Canadian pricing on brand Xarelto and select generics where available. Order online or by phone. We ship to the US with prompt, express, cold-chain shipping and discreet packaging.

This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with questions about medications, dosing, and interactions.