Atrial Fibrillation And Rivaroxaban

[mazzywoo]

Hi everyone
I have recently had a 'flare up' of my atrial fibrillation (the Bisopralol tablets don't seem to be helping much) and today I saw a cardiologist at the hospital. I am to have further investigations (echocardiogram and a 24 hour heart trace) and the consultant thinks I need to be on a blood thinner to reduce the risk of a stroke. He suggested a drug called Rivaroxaban. Unlike warfarin, you don't need regular blood tests whilst taking it.
Is anyone here taking this medication? If so I would be very interested to hear what it's like.
Many thanks
Maz xx

[patsyann]

My Husband has been on rivaroxabin for the last 18 months because he had so much trouble trying to give blood from veins and ended up with black and blue arms.His cardiologist then took him off warfarin and on to rivaroxiban which now means a very occasional blood test. There is a risk of bleeding badly as here is no antidote but coming off the tablet only takes a day to have blood back to normal for any operations to take place and back on the tablets the following day. So yes he is very happy with the outcome.

[mazzywoo]

Hi Patsyann. Thank you for your reply! I must admit that I am scared of going on this medication because of the bleeding risk but even more scared of the stroke risk if I don't take it. I will talk to my GP and see what she thinks too.
Best wishes
Maz