Side effects of Xarelto
Xarelto® acts on blood coagulation and thus influences an important control process in the body. This can lead to sometimes serious side effects. The side effects of Xarelto® can be classified according to frequency.
Common side effects are: Anemia, dizziness and headaches, bleeding from the eyes and conjunctiva, nosebleeds, bleeding gums, bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract, nausea and vomiting, constipation or diarrhea, itching, pain in the extremities, blood in the urine, fever, water retention, fatigue and post-surgical bleeding. Occasional side effects are: Blood count changes, allergic reactions, cerebral hemorrhage and liver dysfunction. Rare side effects are: jaundice, muscle bleeding and inflammation of the liver.
Very rare side effects are: allergic shock, Stevens-Johnson syndrome and DRESS syndrome. Due to the frequent small bleedings throughout the body, a blood deficiency, i.e. anemia, can develop when taking Xarelto®, as the new blood cannot keep up with the loss. This leads to an oxygen deficiency throughout the body.
The body prioritizes which cells are vital and therefore the first to be supplied with oxygen. Since hair is not essential for life, even a slight deficiency causes the hair follicles to be poorly supplied and the hair falls out. Blood formation can be promoted by certain dietary supplements and medications and hair loss can be stopped.
It is important, however, that large sources of bleeding are identified and the cause is fought. In studies, no connection could be found between the intake of Xarelto® and a significant weight gain. People who report weight gain often have other factors that can explain this change in body weight.
Xarelto® is often used after operations to prevent thrombosis and these operations are often associated with a lack of exercise. Restricted mobility can contribute to excess calories and weight gain. Diarrhea or general gastrointestinal complaints are among the more frequent side effects of Xarelto®.
This can have various reasons. About half of Xarelto® is excreted in the stool. This can cause irritation in the intestine and disturb the absorption of water in the bowel.Intolerance to components of the drug may also cause diarrhea.
If the diarrhea is bloody, the cause of bleeding should be sought. Fatigue is a typical symptom of anemia, which is a relatively common side effect of Xarelto. The red blood cells transport the oxygen in the body and especially the brain needs a lot of oxygen.
Frequent bleeding therefore leads to the loss of red blood cells and thus to a poorer oxygen supply. The brain saves oxygen by reducing the performance and the affected persons feel tired and listless. Especially in the cold season, the mucous membranes of the nose are often irritated and dry.
With slight irritation, such as when blowing the nose, the veins can burst and bleed. Bleeding can be heavier in people who take Xarelto® because Xarelto® restricts normal hemostasis. This can lead to a large loss of blood.
Local compression, i.e. squeezing the nose, can often stop the bleeding. If bleeding does not stop, a doctor should be consulted or, in the case of very heavy bleeding and associated circulatory problems, the emergency medical services should also be informed. When Xarelto® is taken, the probability of bleeding increases in all parts of the body.
In the case of minor injuries, which do not normally lead to heavy bleeding, sufferers develop bruising. This also occurs in joints and muscles and therefore often leads to movement pain after sports activities or minor injuries. In the case of larger blunt injuries, there is a risk of compartment syndrome. This is a constriction of nerves and muscle tissue due to increased bleeding and represents an acute danger. In case of significant movement restrictions, the treating physician should be consulted.
