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Xarelto (Rivaroxaban) - Warnings and Precautions

 
 



WARNINGS: (A) DISCONTINUING XARELTO IN PATIENTS WITH NONVALVULAR ATRIAL FIBRILLATION INCREASES RISK OF STROKE, (B) SPINAL/EPIDURAL HEMATOMA

A. DISCONTINUING XARELTO IN PATIENTS WITH NONVALVULAR ATRIAL FIBRILLATION

Discontinuing XARELTO places patients at an increased risk of thrombotic events. An increased rate of stroke was observed following XARELTO discontinuation in clinical trials in atrial fibrillation patients. If anticoagulation with XARELTO must be discontinued for a reason other than pathological bleeding, consider administering another anticoagulant [see Dosage and Administration, Warnings and Precautions, and Clinical Studies].

B. SPINAL/EPIDURAL HEMATOMA

Epidural or spinal hematomas have occurred in patients treated with XARELTO who are receiving neuraxial anesthesia or undergoing spinal puncture. These hematomas may result in long-term or permanent paralysis. Consider these risks when scheduling patients for spinal procedures. Factors that can increase the risk of developing epidural or spinal hematomas in these patients include:

  • use of indwelling epidural catheters
  • concomitant use of other drugs that affect hemostasis, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), platelet inhibitors, other anticoagulants
  • a history of traumatic or repeated epidural or spinal punctures
  • a history of spinal deformity or spinal surgery

[see Warnings and Precautions (5.2, 5.3) and Adverse Reactions].

Monitor patients frequently for signs and symptoms of neurological impairment. If neurological compromise is noted, urgent treatment is necessary [see Warnings and Precautions].

Consider the benefits and risks before neuraxial intervention in patients anticoagulated or to be anticoagulated for thromboprophylaxis [see Warnings and Precautions].

 

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Increased Risk of Stroke after Discontinuation in Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation

Discontinuing XARELTO in the absence of adequate alternative anticoagulation increases the risk of thrombotic events. An increased rate of stroke was observed during the transition from XARELTO to warfarin in clinical trials in atrial fibrillation patients. If XARELTO must be discontinued for a reason other than pathological bleeding, consider administering another anticoagulant [see Dosage and Administration and Clinical Studies].

Risk of Bleeding

XARELTO increases the risk of bleeding and can cause serious or fatal bleeding. In deciding whether to prescribe XARELTO to patients at increased risk of bleeding, the risk of thrombotic events should be weighed against the risk of bleeding.

Promptly evaluate any signs or symptoms of blood loss. Discontinue XARELTO in patients with active pathological hemorrhage.

A specific antidote for rivaroxaban is not available. Because of high plasma protein binding, rivaroxaban is not expected to be dialyzable [see Clinical Pharmacology]. Protamine sulfate and vitamin K are not expected to affect the anticoagulant activity of rivaroxaban. There is no experience with antifibrinolytic agents (tranexamic acid, aminocaproic acid) in individuals receiving rivaroxaban. There is neither scientific rationale for benefit nor experience with systemic hemostatics (desmopressin and aprotinin) in individuals receiving rivaroxaban. Use of procoagulant reversal agents such as prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC), activated prothrombin complex concentrate (APCC), or recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa) may be considered, but has not been evaluated in clinical trials.

Concomitant use of drugs affecting hemostasis increases the risk of bleeding. These include aspirin, P2Y12 platelet inhibitors, other antithrombotic agents, fibrinolytic therapy, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) [see Drug Interactions, , ].

Concomitant use of drugs that are combined P-gp and CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g. ketoconazole and ritonavir) increases rivaroxaban exposure and may increase bleeding risk [see Drug Interactions].

Spinal/Epidural Anesthesia or Puncture

When neuraxial anesthesia (spinal/epidural anesthesia) or spinal puncture is employed, patients treated with anticoagulant agents for prevention of thromboembolic complications are at risk of developing an epidural or spinal hematoma which can result in long-term or permanent paralysis [see Boxed Warning ].

An epidural catheter should not be removed earlier than 18 hours after the last administration of XARELTO. The next XARELTO dose is not to be administered earlier than 6 hours after the removal of the catheter. If traumatic puncture occurs, the administration of XARELTO is to be delayed for 24 hours.

Risk of Pregnancy Related Hemorrhage

XARELTO should be used with caution in pregnant women and only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the mother and fetus. XARELTO dosing in pregnancy has not been studied. The anticoagulant effect of XARELTO cannot be monitored with standard laboratory testing nor readily reversed. Promptly evaluate any signs or symptoms suggesting blood loss (e.g., a drop in hemoglobin and/or hematocrit, hypotension, or fetal distress).

Severe Hypersensitivity Reactions

There were postmarketing cases of anaphylaxis in patients treated with XARELTO to reduce the risk of DVT. Patients who have a history of a severe hypersensitivity reaction to XARELTO should not receive XARELTO [see Adverse Reactions].

USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS

Pregnancy

Pregnancy Category C

There are no adequate or well-controlled studies of XARELTO in pregnant women, and dosing for pregnant women has not been established. Use XARELTO with caution in pregnant patients because of the potential for pregnancy related hemorrhage and/or emergent delivery with an anticoagulant that is not readily reversible. The anticoagulant effect of XARELTO cannot be reliably monitored with standard laboratory testing. Animal reproduction studies showed no increased risk of structural malformations, but increased post-implantation pregnancy loss occurred in rabbits. XARELTO should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to mother and fetus [see Warnings and Precautions].

Rivaroxaban crosses the placenta in animals. Animal reproduction studies have shown pronounced maternal hemorrhagic complications in rats and an increased incidence of post-implantation pregnancy loss in rabbits. Rivaroxaban increased fetal toxicity (increased resorptions, decreased number of live fetuses, and decreased fetal body weight) when pregnant rabbits were given oral doses of ≥10 mg/kg rivaroxaban during the period of organogenesis. This dose corresponds to about 4 times the human exposure of unbound drug, based on AUC comparisons at the highest recommended human dose of 20 mg/day. Fetal body weights decreased when pregnant rats were given oral doses of 120 mg/kg. This dose corresponds to about 14 times the human exposure of unbound drug.

Labor and Delivery

Safety and effectiveness of XARELTO during labor and delivery have not been studied in clinical trials. However, in animal studies maternal bleeding and maternal and fetal death occurred at the rivaroxaban dose of 40 mg/kg (about 6 times maximum human exposure of the unbound drug at the human dose of 20 mg/day).

Nursing Mothers

It is not known if rivaroxaban is excreted in human milk. Rivaroxaban and/or its metabolites were excreted into the milk of rats. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk and because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants from rivaroxaban, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or discontinue XARELTO, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.

Pediatric Use

Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established.

Geriatric Use

Of the total number of patients in the RECORD 1—3 clinical studies evaluating XARELTO, about 54% were 65 years and over, while about 15% were >75 years. In ROCKET AF, approximately 77% were 65 years and over and about 38% were >75 years. In clinical trials the efficacy of XARELTO in the elderly (65 years or older) was similar to that seen in patients younger than 65 years. Both thrombotic and bleeding event rates were higher in these older patients, but the risk-benefit profile was favorable in all age groups [see Clinical Pharmacology and Clinical Studies].

Females of Reproductive Potential

Females of reproductive potential requiring anticoagulation should discuss pregnancy planning with their physician.

Renal Impairment

The safety and pharmacokinetics of single-dose XARELTO (10 mg) were evaluated in a study in healthy subjects [CrCl ≥80 mL/min (n=8)] and in subjects with varying degrees of renal impairment (see Table 4). Compared to healthy subjects with normal creatinine clearance, rivaroxaban exposure increased in subjects with renal impairment. Increases in pharmacodynamic effects were also observed.

Table 4: Percent Increase of Rivaroxaban PK and PD Parameters from Normal in Subjects with Renal Insufficiency from a Dedicated Renal Impairment Study
Renal Impairment Class
[CrCl (mL/min)]
Parameter Mild Moderate Severe
[50 to 79]
N=8
[30 to 49]
N=8
[15 to 29]
N=8
PT = Prothrombin time; FXa = Coagulation factor Xa; AUC = Area under the concentration or effect curve; Cmax = maximum concentration; Emax = maximum effect; and CrCl = creatinine clearance
Exposure AUC 44 52 64
(% increase relative to normal) Cmax 28 12 26
FXa Inhibition AUC 50 86 100
(% increase relative to normal) Emax 9 10 12
PT Prolongation AUC 33 116 144
(% increase relative to normal) Emax 4 17 20

Patients with renal impairment taking P-gp and weak to moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors may have significant increases in exposure which may increase bleeding risk [see Drug Interactions].

Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation

In the ROCKET AF trial, patients with CrCl 30 to 50 mL/min were administered XARELTO 15 mg once daily resulting in serum concentrations of rivaroxaban and clinical outcomes similar to those in patients with better renal function administered XARELTO 20 mg once daily. Patients with CrCl 15 to 30 mL/min were not studied, but administration of XARELTO 15 mg once daily is also expected to result in serum concentrations of rivaroxaban similar to those in patients with normal renal function [see Dosage and Administration].

Prophylaxis of Deep Vein Thrombosis

The combined analysis of the RECORD 1—3 clinical efficacy studies did not show an increase in bleeding risk for patients with moderate renal impairment and reported a possible increase in total VTE in this population. Observe closely and promptly evaluate any signs or symptoms of blood loss in patients with moderate renal impairment (CrCl 30 to <50 mL/min). Avoid the use of XARELTO in patients with severe renal impairment (CrCl <30 mL/min) [see Dosage and Administration and Warnings and Precautions].

Hepatic Impairment

The safety and pharmacokinetics of single-dose XARELTO (10 mg) were evaluated in a study in healthy subjects (n=16) and subjects with varying degrees of hepatic impairment (see Table 5). No patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh C) were studied. Compared to healthy subjects with normal liver function, significant increases in rivaroxaban exposure were observed in subjects with moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh B). Increases in pharmacodynamic effects were also observed.

Table 5: Percent Increase of Rivaroxaban PK and PD Parameters from Normal in Subjects with Hepatic Insufficiency from a Dedicated Hepatic Impairment Study
Hepatic Impairment Class
(Child-Pugh Class)
Parameter Mild Moderate
(Child-Pugh A)
N=8
(Child-Pugh B)
N=8
PT = Prothrombin time; FXa = Coagulation factor Xa; AUC = Area under the concentration or effect curve; Cmax = maximum concentration; Emax = maximum effect
Exposure AUC 15 127
(% increase relative to normal) Cmax 0 27
FXa Inhibition AUC 8 159
(% increase relative to normal) Emax 0 24
PT Prolongation AUC 6 114
(% increase relative to normal) Emax 2 41

Avoid the use of XARELTO in patients with moderate (Child-Pugh B) and severe (Child-Pugh C) hepatic impairment or with any hepatic disease associated with coagulopathy [see Dosage and Administration and Warnings and Precautions].

Page last updated: 2011-12-08

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