summary

Here is a passage from the XARELTO PRESCRIBING INFORMATION which may be helpful to address your question:

What is the recommended dosing of XARELTO for the treatment of blood clots in the veins of your legs (deep vein thrombosis [DVT]) or lungs (pulmonary embolism [PE])?

• Take XARELTO 1 or 2 times a day as prescribed by your doctor.¹
• Take the XARELTO 15 mg tablet twice daily for 21 days, followed by XARELTO 20 mg tablet once daily with food at the same time each day.¹
• If you miss a dose¹:
  • If you take the XARELTO 15 mg tablet 2 times a day (a total of 30 mg of XARELTO in 1 day):
    • Take XARELTO as soon as you remember on the same day. You may take 2 doses at the same time to make up for the missed dose. Take your next dose at your regularly scheduled time.
  • If you take XARELTO 1 time a day:
    • Take XARELTO as soon as you remember on the same day. Take your next dose at your regularly scheduled time.

Recommended dosing of XARELTO in the treatment of blood clots in the veins of your legs or lungs is shown in the Figure: Recommended Dosing of XARELTO for the Treatment of Blood Clots in the Veins of Your Legs or Lungs.

How should I take XARELTO?

• Take XARELTO exactly as prescribed by your doctor.¹
• Do not change your dose or stop taking XARELTO unless your doctor tells you to. Your doctor may change your dose if needed.¹
• Your doctor will decide how long you should take XARELTO.¹
• XARELTO may need to be stopped for one or more days before any surgery or medical or dental procedure. Your doctor will tell you when to stop taking XARELTO and when to start taking XARELTO again after your surgery or procedure.¹
• If you need to stop taking XARELTO for any reason, talk to the doctor who prescribed XARELTO to you to find out when you should stop taking it. Do not stop taking XARELTO without first talking to the doctor who prescribed it to you.¹
• If you have difficulty swallowing XARELTO tablets whole, talk to your doctor about other ways to take XARELTO.¹
• Do not run out of XARELTO. Refill your prescription of XARELTO before you run out. When leaving the hospital following a hip or knee replacement, be sure that you will have XARELTO available to avoid missing any doses.¹
• If you take too much XARELTO, go to the nearest hospital emergency room or call your doctor right away.¹

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT XARELTO

• Early discontinuation of XARELTO may increase the risk of formation of blood clots. People with atrial fibrillation (a type of irregular heartbeat) that is not caused by a heart valve problem (nonvalvular) are at an increased risk of forming a blood clot in the heart, which can travel to the brain, causing a stroke, or to other parts of the body. XARELTO lowers your chance of having a stroke by helping to prevent clots from forming.¹
  • Do not stop taking XARELTO without talking to the doctor who prescribes it for you. If you have to stop taking XARELTO, your doctor may prescribe another blood thinner to prevent a blood clot from forming. 
• XARELTO can cause bleeding which can be serious and may lead to death. During treatment with XARELTO, you are likely to bruise more easily, and it may take longer for the bleeding to stop. You may have a higher risk of bleeding if you take XARELTO and have certain other medical problems or take other medicines that increase your risk of bleeding. Please see the MEDICATION GUIDE for a list of other medications that increase your risk of bleeding and signs or symptoms of bleeding.¹
  • Call your doctor or get medical help right away if you or your child develops any signs or symptoms of bleeding.
• People who take a blood thinner medicine (anticoagulant) like XARELTO, and have medicine injected into their spinal and epidural area, or have a spinal puncture have a risk of forming a blood clot that can cause long-term or permanent loss of the ability to move (paralysis).Please see MEDICATION GUIDE for a list of risk factors and symptoms of spinal or epidural blood clots.¹

additional information

This information is provided ONLY in response to your request and is not intended as medical advice, to promote the use of our product, or suggest using it in any manner other than as described in the PRESCRIBING INFORMATION. All decisions regarding your medical treatment should be made with your healthcare professional(s). Please contact your healthcare professional(s) to discuss the information in this response.

Please refer to the attached full PRESCRIBING INFORMATION and the PATIENT MEDICATION GUIDE for XARELTO.¹