rivaroxaban

Patient/Family Teaching

• Instruct patient to take medication as directed. Take missed doses as soon as remembered that day; do not double doses. Inform health care professional of missed doses at time of checkup or lab tests. Inform patients that anticoagulant effect may persist for 2–5 days following discontinuation. Advise patient to read Medication Guide before starting therapy and with each Rx refill in case of changes. Caution patients not to discontinue medication early without consulting health care professional.

• Advise patient to report any symptoms of unusual bleeding or bruising (bleeding gums; nosebleed; black, tarry stools; hematuria; excessive menstrual flow) and symptoms of spinal or epidural hematoma (tingling; numbness, especially in lower extremities; muscular weakness) to health care professional immediately.

• Instruct patient not to drink alcohol or take other Rx, OTC, or herbal products, especially those containing aspirin or NSAIDs, or to start or stop any new medications during rivaroxaban therapy without advice of health care professional.

• Advise female patients to notify health care professional if pregnancy is planned or suspected or if breastfeeding.