Rivaroxaban

Rivaroxaban is given to patients who have hip or knee surgery to reduce the risk that blood clots will develop in their legs and/or lungs. The medication decreases the blood’s ability to clot so that blood clos are less likely to form after surgery.

Side Effects/Warnings

Do not take this medication if you are having work done on your spine, especially if you need spinal punctures or spinal anesthesia. Spinal patients who take blood thinning medications are at risk for a hematoma in their spine–a condition where blood pools in the spine, causing long-term and sometimes permanent paralysis.

It is also important to avoid other blood thinning medications while on this medication. Don’t take aspirin, as it is a blood thinner, and avoid drinking alcohol for the same reason.