Rivaroxaban and Anxiety: What Users Say

• Hol...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 7, 2019

Rivaroxaban for Atrial Fibrillation "Had a freak 1-time afib event. 54-year-old Male. No history of heart issues in the family. Rushed to ER with a heart rate of 152. Felt weak, sweaty, generally terrible. At the ER, the heart went back into rhythm, was given Xarelto 1 per day 30mg for precaution. Saw a doctor 6 days later. Felt horrible for every day on this drug. Pain, dizzy.. felt like I was being poisoned. Got worse every day. If I didn't get off this poison, I would have lost my job, as I could not function! The doctor at the cardio clinic took me off this drug immediately after the stress test came back perfect, and all blood work perfect. Been off this now for 6 days and almost free of side effects. Still some episodes of anxiety, tiredness, and dizziness. Started feeling better the next day after stopping. Stay away from this drug at all costs.. I'm wondering if I will ever feel normal again.. I was only on it for a week and wow.. unbelievable."

• kat...
• May 2, 2019

Rivaroxaban for Deep Vein Thrombosis "I started on Xarelto after having a bleed out with Warfarin through my kidneys. I was on this drug for almost 8 years. In the last two years, I kept telling my doctors the side effects this drug was giving my body. Nobody listened. Eventually, I received some helpful information on the neurological side of this drug. Everything it said was what I was experiencing. So I have now switched to Eliquis (which is recommended by cardiologists almost worldwide) and it has been heaven ever since. No Xarelto-induced crazy dreams, leg twitching, cramps, headaches, tremors, anxiety, etc. Take control, people, over your own body."

• Fru...
• April 12, 2016

Rivaroxaban for Pulmonary Embolism "I was put on Xarelto after a small P.E. in the lower lobe of my right lung and have not felt right since. I am tired all the time, have no energy, migraines, dizzy, and also increased anxiety. The reason I decided to take Xarelto over the other blood thinners was because of not having to go to the doctor monthly, which I believe is the only good thing about this medication. Can't wait to go off of it in a month. I'm so thankful to read the comments and see I am not the only one suffering these side effects."

• Zls...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 22, 2019

Rivaroxaban for Pulmonary Embolism "At 17 years of age, my daughter was admitted to the ER for breathing discomfort. She was diagnosed with pulmonary embolism in both lungs and DVT. The cause of the embolism was from taking birth control pills for only one week. She gave herself Lovenox injections for one year with no side effects but bruising. She was then put on Xarelto for 6 months. The first couple of weeks of taking Xarelto, she started experiencing hair loss, leg pain, headaches, and severe anxiety. She has lost more than half of her hair and she hardly has any eyebrow hair. We are absolutely certain the medication is the cause. She takes 25 mg once daily. The doctor will not take her off of the Xarelto. Thankfully, she only has 2 more months to go. But with all the bad reviews such as uncontrolled bleeding, stroke, and death, it has me worried sick all day and night."

• Jim...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 26, 2019

Rivaroxaban for Pulmonary Embolism "On Xarelto 15 mg for 4 weeks twice a day and now 20 mg once a day. I have one month left. I went to the ER after one month of treatment for what felt like another PE ...only to find out that my original PE site was clear and I have nothing else. Therefore, I’m convinced the symptoms I’m experiencing are side effects from the drug. Constant tiredness, lightheadedness, bouts of shortness of breath followed by random body aches and anxiety. The anxiety is body anxiety where I get shaky... I can’t deal with any type of interaction or social stimulation or I get short of breath and anxious. Prior to this, I was a very socially active person, but now I cannot withstand a short visit from anyone. From the infarctions from a PE, I still have lingering side effects with physical exertion, but I still do believe that they are intensified from this drug, especially the neurological side effects. Xarelto does have horrible side effects (not for everyone), but it saved my life, so I hate to complain about it."

• PBa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 10, 2019

Rivaroxaban for Pulmonary Embolism "Horrible side effects from this drug. I have a page full of side effects experienced, but the worst of it was rapid heartbeat, no energy spells, feeling like passing out, and anxiety with some sleepless nights. Been off of it for a little over a week and still feel some effects from it! Stay away from this drug if you can."

• Spe...
• April 19, 2020

Rivaroxaban for Deep Vein Thrombosis "This drug sent me insane. Recently had DVT in arm. 1st tablet caused burning nerves in face and spine, rushed to A&E, who were dumbfounded. Within 1 week, I was pacing the house all night. Heart racing severely. Anxiety out of control (never suffered from anxiety). Week 2, lips and mouth burning. Anxiety and heart rate worse. Week 3, pacing house 16 hours a day, paranoia, intense pressure in head, muscle spasms, unable to close eyes. Nerves on skin. Reduced dose didn't help improve situation. Eventually, the doctor switched me to Eliquis, which I'm absolutely fine on. I believe this drug is okay for a lot of people, however, if you have a reaction, it's severe. Lost over a stone in 3 weeks, hyperventilated daily, my behavior and personality changed dramatically. Within 48 hours on Eliquis, all symptoms ceased. I'll be reporting this drug, as having done some research, I've found it can cause anxiety, paranoia, and muscle spasms, which are not listed in the literature."

• Loa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 26, 2018

Rivaroxaban for Deep Vein Thrombosis "I was put on 15 mg of Xarelto for a DVT. I experienced terrible fatigue and anxiety. I was an active person, but on Xarelto I could no longer walk a block or do basic activities without feeling exhausted. I also started to experience numbness and tingling in my toes and fingers. My doctor switched me to Eliquis and the fatigue was gone. I finally feel like myself again. Xarelto was a terrible drug for me."

• Roa...
• October 29, 2022

Rivaroxaban for Deep Vein Thrombosis "It's horrible, horrible nightmares, depression, thoughts of suicide, overwhelming fatigue, panic attacks, rashes, back pains, muscle spasms, feelings of total overwhelm, fear. I'm scared. I've never had thoughts of suicide, or not wanting to get out and go for a walk. The doctors are not hearing me. I want off this medicine ASAP."

• Kha...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 12, 2020

Rivaroxaban for Deep Vein Thrombosis "Suffered from multiple clots in the right leg that ended up traveling to my lungs. Had to have emergency surgery because a clot broke off and was blocking the left artery of my heart. After 8 days in the hospital, I was put on Xarelto. Started out as 15 mg twice a day to 20 mg once a day. Was originally supposed to be on it for 6 months, but my insurance wasn’t approving my follow-up CT scan and ultrasound. Ended up being on it for a year and 6 months. While taking Xarelto, I experienced numbness and tingling in the leg where the clots were, horrible anxiety, leg swelling, leg pain, heavy menstrual cycles, and bruising. I recently stopped the drug cold turkey, doctor's orders. Anxiety has gotten worse as I’m afraid of experiencing another DVT/PE. Overall, it did the job. No sign of clots in legs or lungs."

• Fir...
• August 21, 2021

Rivaroxaban for Deep Vein Thrombosis "I’ve got a DVT, but compared to a lot of the stories here, mine doesn’t seem as extreme. It is in my left calf muscle after knee surgery. Developed blood in urine that came and went, and I am currently awaiting to be seen by a urologist. First time suffering extreme anxiety and paranoia, fatigued and stressed, beating the end of my 3-week point. Have started developing problems with my sinuses and ears. Am worried but trying to think positive. Will see my GP first thing Monday. Good to read about some success stories :) Will have to wait and see at the end if I would recommend this medicine. But the alternative, not taking it, isn’t very good either."

• Fir...
• August 21, 2021

Rivaroxaban for Deep Vein Thrombosis "I’ve got a DVT, but compared to a lot of the stories here, mine doesn’t seem as extreme. It is in my left calf muscle after knee surgery. Developed blood in urine that came and went, and I am currently awaiting to be seen by a urologist. First time suffering extreme anxiety and paranoia, fatigued and stressed, beating the end of my 3-week point. Have started developing problems with my sinuses and ears. Am worried but trying to think positive. Will see my GP first thing Monday. Good to read about some success stories :) Will have to wait and see at the end if I would recommend this medicine. But the alternative, not taking it, isn’t very good either."

• Mou...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 23, 2019

For Deep Vein Thrombosis "On Xarelto for 2.5 years. I have immunoglobulin infusions that put me at risk for clots. I believe this drug is the reason I feel severe vein pain in my left arm, behind my knee, and below my knee. I also believe that it causes swelling in the tissues around my brain stem. I believe the Xarelto I take is causing this swelling, which is causing the decreased respirations which wake me up. I experience severe agitation and anxiety when I try to put hours in between my doses to wean myself off. I cannot wean myself off. I also believe it causes intracranial hypertension, idiopathic if anything, but have yet to see a neuro for a spinal tap to test the pressure in my head."

• her...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 1, 2023

For Pulmonary Embolism "I had a PE in 2017 and was on Xarelto for 6 months. In that time, the main side effect I felt was body aches. Now, in 2022, I was on them again for another 6 months for a clot in my right leg but stopped a month early due to the terrible side effects and good test results. I'm never taking this stuff again. I had to go to the ER for internal bleeding twice, dizzy, dry skin, hair loss, lack of appetite, weight gain, crippling anxiety, headache, enlarged spleen, kidney pain, confusion, all kinds of GI issues. I've been off for one week and am feeling better every day but still have some less severe symptoms. I'm taking turmeric and bromelain now, which both are proven blood thinners, and bromelain can actually dissolve clots. I would suggest people look for a natural alternative if possible. That said, the drug did clear my first PE pretty fast, along with a clot buster injection in the stomach. Trust your own gut on these issues, my choices are my own."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 29, 2016

For Deep Vein Thrombosis "Not many people take this drug for my condition (Antiphospholipid Syndrome) in the UK, so I'm what you might call an 'experiment,' but I begged and pleaded to go on it as I'd had enough of taking warfarin. My INR was never steady, and I was having blood tests taken every week sometimes. It does have some not-so-good side effects. When I first started taking it, I felt dizzy and faint within a couple of hours, so my hematologist suggested I take it just before bed instead of in the morning, which solved the problem. It makes me more tired than before I was on it, and I don't have as much energy. I've always been a stressful person and have noticed I seem to get more anxiety now. The good outweighs the bad, though, I've had no more mini-strokes, so it's doing its job!"