News Articles

By Ben C. Martin | | Posted on May 5, 2015

Xarelto Medication– Who Manufactures The Drug and Why

Approved in 2011, Xarelto (rivaroxaban) is one of the drug industry’s newest blood thinner medications. The drug is manufactured by Bayer and marketed by Johnson & Johnson’s New Jersey-based subsidiary, Janssen Pharmaceuticals. Xarelto (rivaroxaban) is categorized as an anticoagulant (blood thinner) that stops blood clots from developing.

So, why would a doctor prescribe Xarelto? First, it is used to prevent or alleviate a blood clot called deep vein thrombosis (“DVT”), and blood clots in the lungs called pulmonary embolism. Notably, a DVT can occur after certain types of surgery. In addition, Xarelto Medication is used in people with atrial fibrillation (a heart rhythm disorder) with the goal of reducing the risk of stroke caused by a blood clot.

Xarelto Medication Obtains FDA Approval

Xarelto was first approved by the FDA as a blood thinning medication for people following surgery to replace a knee or hip. Subsequently, FDA-approval was obtained to treat reoccurring blood clots, as well as blood clots for those with atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat).

Xarelto’s original FDA-approved use was to thin the blood for patients recovering from knee or hip replacement surgery. Since then, the agency approved the drug for blood clots in patients with irregular heartbeat (atrial fibrillation), and to prevent reoccurring blood clots despite their own panel’s disapproval.

Xarelto vs. Warfarin – The Disturbing Comparative Results

The New England Journal of Medicine announced a study that compared Warfarin and Xarelto. Warfarin is a medication that has been prescribed by doctors for more than 50 years to treat individuals with an irregular heartbeat. The comparison demonstrated that Xarelto lacked heightened effectiveness over the drug Warfarin. Also disconcerting was that Xarelto has been known to be the source of further bleeding compared to Warfarin.

Dangerous Side Effects of Xarelto Medication

One of the most prominent and serious xarelto rivaroxaban side effects is uncontrolled bleeding. Unfortunately, there is no antidote at this time for this side effect. Notably, Pradaxa (dabigatran), another anticoagulant used to prevent strokes due to atrial fibrillation, may also cause uncontrolled bleeding and death, and has no antidote. Additional Xarelto Rivaroxaban side effects include:

  • Abdominal Bleeding
  • Diminished Platelets
  • Brain Haemorrhage
  • Abnormal Bleeding
  • Abdominal Bleeding

How Safe is Xarelto?

The FDA has issued a warning which states that individuals who suddenly discontinue the use of Xarelto are at a higher risk of developing blood clots.

Moreover, patients who have self-administered higher amounts of Xarelto medication had a higher likelihood of experiencing problems from bleeding. In fact, in a Phase III Study aimed at exploring the safety of the medication, a whopping 73% of the over 16,000 individuals who took a minimum of one dose of Xarelto developed side effects!


If you or a loved one has been prescribed Xarelto, contact the Law Offices of Ben C. Martin at (214) 761-6614, or contact us for a free initial consultation. We are an aggressive, service-oriented firm that offers immediate answers. Call today.