RIVAROXABAN 2.5 MG FILM-COATED TABLETS - patient leaflet, side effects, dosage

Patient leaflet - RIVAROXABAN 2.5 MG FILM-COATED TABLETS

Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine because it contains important information for you.

– Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
– If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
– This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their signs of illness are the same as yours.
– If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.

What is in this leaflet

1. What Rivaroxaban is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you take Rivaroxaban
3. How to take Rivaroxaban
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Rivaroxaban
6. Contents of the pack and other information

1. what rivaroxaban is and what it is used for

You have been given Rivaroxaban because you have been diagnosed with an acute coronary syndrome (a group of conditions that includes heart attack and unstable angina, a severe type of chest pain) and have been shown to have had an increase in certain cardiac blood tests.

Rivaroxaban reduces the risk in adults of having another heart attack or reduces the risk of dying from a disease related to your heart or your blood vessels.

Rivaroxaban contains the active substance rivaroxaban and belongs to a group of medicines called antithrombotic agents. It works by blocking a blood clotting factor (factor Xa) and thus reducing the tendency of the blood to form clots.

Rivaroxaban will not be given to you on its own. Your doctor will also tell you to take either:

acetylsalicylic acid (also known as aspirin) or
acetylsalicylic acid plus clopidogrel or ticlopidine.

2. what you need to know before you take rivaroxaban- if you are allergic to rivaroxaban or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed

in section 6)

– if you are bleeding excessively
– if you have a disease or condition in an organ of the body that increases the risk of serious bleeding (e.g., stomach ulcer, injury or bleeding in the brain, recent surgery of the brain or eyes)
– if you are taking medicines to prevent blood clotting (e.g. warfarin, dabigatran, apixaban or heparin), except when changing anticoagulant treatment or while getting heparin through a venous or arterial line to keep it open
– if you have an acute coronary syndrome and previously had a bleeding or a blood clot

in your brain (stroke)

– if you have a liver disease which leads to an increased risk of bleeding
– if you are pregnant or breast feeding

Do not take Rivaroxaban and tell your doctor

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Rivaroxaban.

Rivaroxaban should not be used in combination with certain other medicines which reduce blood clotting such as prasugrel or ticagrelor other than aspirin and clopidogrel/ticlopidine.

Take special care with Rivaroxaban

– if you have an increased risk of bleeding, as could be the case in situations such as:

■ severe kidney disease, since your kidney function may affect the amount of medicine that works in your body
■ if you are taking other medicines to prevent blood clotting (e.g. warfarin, dabigatran, apixaban or heparin), when changing anticoagulant treatment or while getting heparin through a venous or arterial line to keep it open (see section „Other medicines and Rivaroxaban“)
■ bleeding disorders
■ very high blood pressure, not controlled by medical treatment
■ diseases of your stomach or bowel that might result in bleeding, e.g. inflammation of the bowels or stomach, or inflammation of the oesophagus (gullet) e.g. due to gastroesophageal reflux disease (disease where stomach acid goes upwards into the oesophagus)
■ a problem with the blood vessels in the back of your eyes (retinopathy)
■ a lung disease where your bronchi are widened and filled with pus (bronchiectasis), or previous bleeding from your lung
■ you are older than 75 years
■ you weigh 60 kg or less

If any of the above apply to you, tell your doctor before you take Rivaroxaban. Your doctor will decide, if you should be treated with this medicine and if you should be kept under closer observation.

If you need to have an operation:

– it is very important to take Rivaroxaban before and after the operation exactly at the times you have been told by your doctor.
– If your operation involves a catheter or injection into your spinal column (e.g. for epidural or spinal anaesthesia or pain reduction):

■ it is very important to take Rivaroxaban before and after the injection or removal of the catheter exactly at the times you have been told by your doctor
■ tell your doctor immediately if you get numbness or weakness of your legs or problems with your bowel or bladder after the end of anaesthesia, because urgent care is necessary.

Children and adolescents

Rivaroxaban is not recommended for people under 18 years of age. There is not enough information on its use in children and adolescents.

Other medicines and Rivaroxaban

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription.

If you are taking:

■ some medicines for fungal infections (e.g. ketoconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, posaconazole), unless they are only applied to the skin
■ some anti-viral medicines for HIV / AIDS (e.g. ritonavir)
■ other medicines to reduce blood clotting (e.g. enoxaparin, clopidogrel or vitamin K antagonists such as warfarin and acenocoumarol)
■ anti-inflammatory and pain relieving medicines (e.g. naproxen or acetylsalicylic acid)
■ dronedarone, a medicine to treat abnormal heart beat

If any of the above apply to you, tell your doctor before taking Rivaroxaban, because the effect of Rivaroxaban may be increased. Your doctor will decide, if you should be treated with this medicine and if you should be kept under closer observation.

If your doctor thinks that you are at increased risk of developing stomach or bowel ulcers, he may also use a preventative ulcer treatment.

- If you are taking:

■ some medicines for treatment of epilepsy (phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital)
■ St John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum), a herbal product used for depression
■ rifampicin, an antibiotic

If any of the above apply to you, tell your doctor before taking Rivaroxaban, because the effect of Rivaroxaban may be reduced. Your doctor will decide, if you should be treated with Rivaroxaban and if you should be kept under closer observation.

Pregnancy and breast feeding

Do not take Rivaroxaban if you are pregnant or breast feeding. If there is a chance that you could become pregnant, use a reliable contraceptive while you are taking Rivaroxaban. If you become pregnant while you are taking this medicine, tell your doctor immediately, who will decide how you should be treated.

Driving and using machines

Rivaroxaban may cause dizziness (common side effect) or fainting (uncommon side effect) (see section 4, ‚Possible side effects‘). You should not drive or use machines if you are affected by these symptoms.

Rivaroxaban contains lactose

If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicine.

3. how to take rivaroxaban

Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

How much to take

The recommended dose is one 2.5 mg tablet twice a day. Take Rivaroxaban around the same time every day (for example, one tablet in the morning and one in the evening). This medicine can be taken with or without food.

If you have difficulty swallowing the tablet whole, talk to your doctor about other ways to take Rivaroxaban. Rivaroxaban should not be crushed prior to administration. Rivaroxaban is not suitable to be administered after crushing e.g. in patients who are unable to swallow whole tables or through gastric tubes.

Rivaroxaban will not be given to you on its own. Your doctor will also tell you to take either:

acetylsalicylic acid (also known as aspirin) or
acetylsalicylic acid plus clopidogrel or ticlopidine.

Your doctor will tell you how much of these to take (usually between 75 to 100 mg acetylsalicylic acid daily or a daily dose of 75 to 100 mg acetylsalicylic acid plus a daily dose of either 75 mg clopidogrel or a standard daily dose of ticlopidine).

When to start Rivaroxaban

Treatment with Rivaroxaban should be started as soon as possible after stabilisation of the acute coronary syndrome, at the earliest 24 hours after admission to hospital and at the time when parenteral (via injection) anticoagulation therapy would normally be stopped. Your doctor will decide how long you must continue treatment.

If you take more Rivaroxaban than you should

Contact your doctor immediately if you have taken too many Rivaroxaban tablets. Taking too much Rivaroxaban increases the risk of bleeding.

If you forget to take Rivaroxaban

Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose. If you miss a dose, take your next dose at the usual time.

If you stop taking Rivaroxaban

Take Rivaroxaban on a regular basis and for as long as your doctor keeps prescribing it.

Do not stop taking Rivaroxaban without talking to your doctor first. If you stop taking this medicine, it may increase your risk of having another heart attack or stroke or dying from a disease related to your heart or your blood vessels.

If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

4. possible side effects

Like all medicines, Rivaroxaban can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Like other similar medicines (antithrombotic agents), Rivaroxaban may cause bleeding which may potentially be life threatening. Excessive bleeding may lead to a sudden drop in blood pressure (shock). In some cases the bleeding may not be obvious.

Possible side effects which may be a sign of bleeding:

Tell your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following side effects:

– long or excessive bleeding
– exceptional weakness, tiredness, paleness, dizziness, headache, unexplained swelling, breathlessness, chest pain or angina pectoris, which may be signs of bleeding.

Your doctor may decide to keep you under closer observation or change how you should be treated.

Overall list of possible side effects:

Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):

– bleeding in the stomach or bowel, urogenital bleeding (including blood in the urine and heavy menstrual bleeding), nose bleed, bleeding in the gum
– bleeding into the eye (including bleeding from the whites of the eyes)
– bleeding into tissue or a cavity of the body (haematoma, bruising)
– coughing up blood
– bleeding from the skin or under the skin
– bleeding following an operation
– oozing of blood or fluid from surgical wound
– swelling in the limbs
– pain in the limbs
– fever
– reduction in red blood cells which can make the skin pale and cause weakness or breathlessness
– stomach ache, indigestion, feeling or being sick, constipation, diarrhoea
– low blood pressure (symptoms may be feeling dizzy or fainting when standing up)
– decreased general strength and energy (weakness, tiredness), headache, dizziness
– rash, itchy skin
– impaired function of the kidneys (may be seen in tests performed by your doctor)
– blood tests may show an increase in some liver enzymes

Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):

– bleeding into the brain or inside the skull
– bleeding into a joint causing pain and swelling
– fainting
– feeling unwell
– dry mouth
– faster heartbeat
– allergic reactions, including allergic skin reactions
– hives
– impaired function of the liver (may be seen in tests performed by your doctor)
– blood tests may show an increase in bilirubin, some pancreatic or liver enzymes or in the number of platelets

Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people):

– bleeding into a muscle
– localised swelling
– yellowing of the skin and eye (jaundice)
– collection of blood (haematoma) in the groin as a complication of the cardiac procedure where a catheter is inserted in your leg artery (pseudoaneurysm)

Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data):

– increased pressure within muscles of the legs or arms after a bleeding, which leads to pain, swelling, altered sensation, numbness or paralysis (compartment syndrome after a bleeding) – kidney failure after a severe bleeding

The following side effects have been reported since authorisation:

– Angioedema and allergic oedema (swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue or throat)
– Cholestasis (decreased bile flow), Hepatitis incl. hepatocellular injury (inflamed liver incl. liver injury)
– Thrombocytopenia (low number of platelets, which are cells that help blood to clot).

Reporting of side effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via Yellow Card Scheme. Website:.

By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

5. how to store rivaroxaban

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and on each blister after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.

This medicine does not require any special storage conditions. Store in the original package in order to protect from moisture.

Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.

6. contents of the pack and other information- the active substance is rivaroxaban. each tablet contains 2.5 mg of rivaroxaban.

– The other ingredients are:

What Rivaroxaban looks like and contents of the pack

Rivaroxaban 2.5 mg film-coated tablets are yellow, round, biconvex, debossed with “E21” on one side and plain on the other side.

Rivaroxaban 2.5 mg film-coated tablets is available in PVC-PVdC / Aluminium blisters: 10, 14, 28, 30, 42, 56, 60, 90, 98, 168 or 196 film-coated tablets or unit dose blisters in cartons of 10 × 1 or 100 × 1 or in multipacks comprising 10 cartons, each containing 10 × 1 film-coated tablets.

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

Marketing Authorisation Holder

TOWA Pharmaceutical Europe, S.L.

C/ de Sant Marti, 75–97,

Martorelles, 08107 Barcelona, Spain

Manufacturer

TOWA Pharmaceutical Europe, S.L., C/de Sant Marti, 75–97

08107, Martorelles, Barcelona, Spain.

Pharmadox Healthcare Ltd.

KW20A Kordin Industrial Park

Paola – PLA3000 – Malta

This leaflet was last revised in 07/2020