Title:Rivaroxaban - Metabolism, Pharmacologic Properties and Drug Interactions
VOLUME: 18 ISSUE: 7
Author(s):Tomas Kvasnicka*, Ivana Malikova, Zuzana Zenahlikova, Karolína Kettnerova, Radka Brzezkova, Tomas Zima, Jan Ulrych, Jan Briza, Ivan Netuka and Jan Kvasnicka
Affiliation:Thrombotic Centre of Institute of Medical Biochemistry and Laboratory Diagnostics, General University Hospital, Karlovo Namesti 32, 121 11 Prague 2, Central Hematological Laboratory of Institute of Medical Biochemistry and Laboratory Diagnostics, 1st Faculty of Medicine of Charles University, Prague, Thrombotic Centre of Institute of Medical Biochemistry and Laboratory Diagnostics, General University Hospital, Karlovo Namesti 32, 121 11 Prague 2, Thrombotic Centre of Institute of Medical Biochemistry and Laboratory Diagnostics, General University Hospital, Karlovo Namesti 32, 121 11 Prague 2, Thrombotic Centre of Institute of Medical Biochemistry and Laboratory Diagnostics, General University Hospital, Karlovo Namesti 32, 121 11 Prague 2, Institute of Medical Biochemistry and Laboratory Diagnostics, General University Hospital and 1st Faculty of Medicine of Charles University, Prague, 1st Department of Surgery, General University Hospital and 1st Faculty of Medicine of Charles University, Prague, , 1st Department of Surgery, General University Hospital and 1st Faculty of Medicine of Charles University, Prague, , Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Cardiovascular Surgery Dept., Prague, Thrombotic Centre of Institute of Medical Biochemistry and Laboratory Diagnostics, General University Hospital, Karlovo Namesti 32, 121 11 Prague 2
Keywords:Anticoagulants, rivaroxaban, direct factor Xa inhibitor, venous thromboembolism, stroke, atrial fibrillation, pharmacodynamics.
Abstract:Background: Rivaroxaban represents a selective direct inhibitor of activated coagulation factor X (FXa)
having peroral bioavailability and prompt onset of action.
Objective: The absorbtion of rivaroxaban is quick, reaching maximum plasma concentration 2-4 hours following its
administration. Peroral bioavailability is high (80-100 %) and pharmacokinetic variability is considered to be moderate
(coefficient of variation 30-40 %). This review discusses the properties, drug interactions, pharmacokinetics
and clinical indications of rivaroxaban.
Method: Dosing regimen of rivaroxaban was derived from pharmacologic data of the development program aimed
to gain strong antithrombotic drug and balance between efficacy and risk of bleeding in patients. Results of doseranging
trials, pharmacokinetic models and randomised studies of phase III advocate the use of such schemes in
everyday practice.
Results: The drug has been manufactured to fulfill clinical requirements in a variety of indications in adults: prophylaxis
of venous thromboembolism (VTE) following elective knee or hip replacement surgical intervention, therapy
and secondary prophylaxis of VTE, prophylaxis of ischemic stroke and embolism in individuals diagnosed with
nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) with risky characteristics, and in Europe the prophylaxis of atherothrombotic
episodes following an acute coronary syndrome in subjects with increased levels of cardiac biomarkers.
Conclusion: Rivaroxaban may offer benefit in many clinical situations. In comparison with low molecular weight
heparin and fondaparinux requiring subcutaneous way of administration, and with vitamin K antagonists (VKAs),
which require regular monitoring of international normalized ratio, rivaroxaban is relatively easy to use. However,
adjustments of dose are needed in individuals with impaired renal functions.
