Xarelto® and alcohol

Introduction

Xarelto® is the proper name of the active ingredient rivaroxaban and is used for blood thinning. It is an oral anticoagulant and is used to prevent blood clots (thrombosis) in the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias, artificial heart valves or thrombosis. Preventing the formation of a blood clot is very important because if the clot is spread, it can have serious consequences such as a pulmonary embolism or a stroke.

The effect of Xarelto® is based on the inactivation of coagulation factor Xa. X stands for the Roman number 10 and a means active. The coagulation factors are proteins and enzymes that are responsible for coagulating the blood.

In wounds, coagulation stops bleeding, and in some diseases the probability of “false” formation of a blood clot is increased. This means that a blood clot is formed without any injury. If this is carried into small blood vessels, these are blocked, which can lead to a stroke or heart attack. In general, taking the drug also increases the tendency to bleed.

Is it allowed to drink alcohol while taking it?

The consumption of alcohol while taking Xarelto® is not recommended. Alcohol itself has a blood-thinning effect. This effect increases in combination with a blood-thinning medication, so that there is a high risk of dangerous bleeding. In addition, alcohol dilates the blood vessels, which further increases the risk of bleeding.

Possible side effects

The risk of bleeding increases dramatically, especially with prolonged, excessive alcohol consumption. Alcohol is known to damage the liver. The liver is the place where the clotting factors are formed.

Permanent alcohol abuse leads to a functional impairment of the liver, certain proteins can no longer be produced in sufficient quantity or quality, including the clotting factors. If there is a deficiency of coagulation factors or if their function is restricted, dangerous non-stoppable bleeding can occur. Persistent alcohol consumption also leads to fatty degeneration of the liver and increased formation of connective tissue in the liver.

As a result, the blood in front of the liver is congested and the blood vessels that precede the liver are dilated. This can lead to very dangerous bleeding, especially in the area of the esophagus. Due to the blood-thinning effect of Xarelto, it is more difficult to stop these bleedings.

This situation represents an absolute emergency and requires immediate treatment in hospital. The bleeding must then be stopped by an intervention. Another danger is that under the influence of alcohol the risk of falling or injury is increased.

If a bleeding injury occurs in this case, it is more difficult to stop it. Alcohol promotes the development of stomach ulcers. A dreaded complication of these ulcers is that they start to bleed. This bleeding is intensified by anticoagulant medication.