Rivaroxaban and Fatigue: What Users Say

• Jer...
• May 3, 2019

Rivaroxaban for Atrial Fibrillation "My cardiologist recommended Xarelto because of age (83) and I experienced a fib one time. I started the drug 20mg and on the second day I had a fib and my heart rate was 104, and two days later another afib with heart rate of 105, and on the fourth day another afib and heart rate at 104 again. During that time, I had extreme fatigue and my feet and ankles swelled up. My knees became very painful and my stomach was upset most of the time. My vision was blurred. My blood pressure rose significantly. My normal blood pressure is 118/70, and heart rate is normally 64. I stopped taking the drug on my own. My heart rate has returned to normal of 64. Blood pressure is still abnormal for me at 140/80. Ankles and feet swelling has gradually been doing better. Vision is a little better. Stomach is still painful. For me, this drug is a killer. Stay away from it. It’s a mystery to me why doctors prescribe it."

• Cha...
• May 7, 2016

Rivaroxaban for Pulmonary Embolism "I've been on Xarelto now for a month, and I'm sure it's working quickly, as I noticed within 24 hours of my incident (small PE in left lung). I couldn't believe the sharp pains subsided and breathing improved in that short amount of time. Since I've been taking this for a month now and actually lowered the dose from 30 mg to 20 mg daily, I feel worse and worse. I feel like I have the hangover of the century all the time, no alcohol. I cannot tolerate it on this drug. Burning eyes, constant headache, extreme headache, and fatigue, exhausted, in bed by 6:00 PM usually. I have two teenagers and a job, finding it hard to carry on with my life. I'm so depressed. It's bad enough to have this happen, but this Xarelto is making me miserable!"

• Nes...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 25, 2020

Rivaroxaban for Pulmonary Embolism "Absolutely hate Xarelto. Hate it. I had PEs in both lungs discovered in December 2019 when I had severe shortness of breath. 22 at the time, female. Had started birth control two weeks prior, was dehydrated, and was doing a lot of sitting down due to finals. 15 mg twice a day worked for me, only had fatigue and night sweats to deal with. I've been on the 20 mg once a day for about 5 months now, and I feel worse every day. Headaches all the time, fatigue, excessive sweating, rapid heart rate, leg pains that give me anxiety about more possible clots, heavy periods, chest pains that make me feel like I'm not getting better. It's hard for me to sleep at night with how uncomfortable I always am. Off it mid-June. Can't wait."

• Mac...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 7, 2019

Rivaroxaban for Deep Vein Thrombosis "This drug did great for resolving a clot in a deep vein in my right leg. At the six-month mark when I was cleared to come off it, no one ever told me, nor any of the safety literature indicated that what happened could happen. After one day of stopping Xarelto, I was so instantly fatigued and sick I couldn’t function for days. It made my blood pressure spike, and I had to see a doc about getting that under control. It finally took about 10 days for that medicine to let me go, and trust me, it was a miserable 10 days. A vascular surgeon and a cardiologist both told me they’ve never heard of this side effect. Kind of scary that this kind of stuff is not out there for patients to see early. Also, I consider it dangerous because where I live, there is no reversing agent available. If you decide to take Xarelto, you would be better off going to Vegas and betting on a dice throw. Your chances are better. If I need another blood thinner, I will go with the tried and tested Coumadin. It’s safer."

• Den...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 24, 2020

Rivaroxaban for Deep Vein Thrombosis "I experienced a proximal (whole leg) DVT 5 months ago with extreme swelling and tightness. 15 mg Xarelto daily was prescribed in the ER for 1 month, followed by 20 mg daily. I did a lot of walking when able and have only slight discoloration above the ankle, along with tightness near the Achilles’ tendon now. The swelling has all gone. I experienced bouts of belching after 2 months, but that has subsided now. Extreme fatigue upon little exertion has been a recent issue. 72 years old."

• LEO...
• May 31, 2018

Rivaroxaban for Pulmonary Embolism "I was treated at a local hospital for minor chest pains. The chest X-ray and EKG came back normal. Advised docs that the pain was mountains pass 10; however, I was subsequently prescribed a narcotic, which I refused. Two days later, the pain returned, so I visited the local VA hospital. A subsequent CT scan determined a PE in my right lung. Docs prescribed me 20 mg Xarelto for 90 days. They later extended my medication due to a heterozygous mutation because they wanted to do further research. I’ve exhibited symptoms of dizziness (initially), minor leg pain, and fatigue. Anxiety increased over time because neither of them were excruciating, and I never had any shortness of breath. After telling the doc of my initial symptoms, which I no longer have with the exception of the minor leg pain, he assumed that it was in my imagination. Three months later, I broke out in hives. I was upset at the fact that they basically refused to discuss the side effects."

• Jab...
• July 15, 2017

Rivaroxaban for Pulmonary Embolism "I had a PE in 2014. Will be on blood thinners for life. Specialist switched me from warfarin to Xarelto last February, and life has been three shades of hell ever since. Weight gain, pain, headaches, hair loss, ridiculous fatigue... my period was out of control-like Carrie (Stephen King) style-until I finally got an IUD device (which I have never really wanted to do, but at least my iron stores have recovered). I found a new family doctor who agreed to put me back on warfarin, but the specialist talked me out of it this winter. I'm so weak and tired I can't stand it. Started on warfarin yesterday and get to quit the Xarelto in two days. Can't wait."

• 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."

• Ind...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 28, 2021

Rivaroxaban for Pulmonary Embolism "Had COVID/PE/pneumonia. Prescribed Xarelto. Couldn’t walk for three weeks due to leg pain and then felt extreme fatigue for months after, with consistent lower back pain and weight gain. The fatigue has been devastating. Unable to work or fully function as a parent. Forgot to take my pills with me on holiday last week and felt great. Took one pill on return and fatigue, nausea, GI issues, and brain fog are back. I will not take another. Stops today."

• Ind...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 28, 2021

Rivaroxaban for Pulmonary Embolism "Had COVID/PE/pneumonia. Prescribed Xarelto. Couldn’t walk for three weeks due to leg pain and then felt extreme fatigue for months after, with consistent lower back pain and weight gain. The fatigue has been devastating. Unable to work or fully function as a parent. Forgot to take my pills with me on holiday last week and felt great. Took one pill on return and fatigue, nausea, GI issues, and brain fog are back. I will not take another. Stops today."

• The...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 7, 2024

Rivaroxaban for Atrial Fibrillation "I had an ablation. I already had five stents. The procedure went well. The recuperation was a bear. They prescribed Xarelto. Maybe it was good to prevent clotting after the post-op. Horrible stuff. Three-dimensional dreams and not sure sometimes if I was awake or not. After 21 days, I begged to get off. The dreams and low energy continued for a few more weeks. The Doc did not want me off, it protects them from bigger problems. Back to two baby aspirin. It costs $750 for thirty if you don’t have insurance. Horrible stuff!"

• Kol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 18, 2017

Rivaroxaban for Deep Vein Thrombosis "I had a DVT in my right lower calf muscle. I was on a training schedule and was doing very intense workouts. I did lots of flying for work, and as well taking some supplements, my blood became thicker and ended with my calf swelling up. I've been on Xarelto for the last four months. The first two months were all good, now in the last two months, the side effects of it have really come out. I started getting sore ribs, and my sternum feels like my body has spasms. Sometimes I can't bear the pain. I'm also on tramadol to calm my spasms. I don't like tramadol because I don't feel in control. I get fatigued faster and tire easily. Does anybody else get these side effects from Xarelto?"

• Anonymous
• August 26, 2017

Rivaroxaban for Deep Vein Thrombosis "Xarelto seems to work for thinning the blood and allowing clot reabsorption, but it causes bleeds, particularly heavy periods. This major side effect, which obviously affects women but not men, does not seem to be addressed by Xarelto and therefore it is under-researched. Heavy periods are associated with anemia, which in turn can cause heart and other organ problems, as well as cause fatigue and a weak immune system, apart from the obvious lifestyle inconvenience to women sufferers."

• 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."

• kit...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 25, 2023

Rivaroxaban for Congenital Heart Disease "Hair fell out in batches, shortness of breath all day, low energy, sleep issues, and sex drive down. Most like testosterone was affected. I was on for 4 months and now on Plavix. I was unable to play sports as the first 3 minutes was unbearable because of the shortness of breath. I also had issues with Brilinta. Now on Plavix for 10 days and the hair stopped falling out."

• Anonymous
• June 3, 2016

Rivaroxaban "My 23-year-old son was diagnosed with a portal vein thrombosis. There was no reason, and after extensive testing, still unable to determine why this happened to him. He was placed on Xarelto, and 3 months later, the thrombosis has completely cleared. He had very minimal side effects (some oral bleeding, fatigue, occasional headache), and I was thrilled he didn't have to deal with Coumadin. He is anxious to be done with the medication, but overall, it has been pretty easy to deal with."

• JJP...
• September 18, 2016

For Pulmonary Embolism "My 14-year-old daughter suffered from pulmonary embolism after a long haul flight. After long discussions with doctors, it was agreed she would be on Xarelto. She has the height and weight of an adult, so it made sense for her to be on Rivaroxaban. Various tests are being carried out as she is too young to have blood clots, so there may be an underlying problem. Initially, she experienced headaches, had a nosebleed and bleeding gums, blurred vision, fatigue, dizziness, and some bruises, but some of these symptoms have subsided. She still suffers from fatigue and some bruising, but all under control. She takes 20 mg daily and will be taking the medicine for a period of 6 months, at least. It will all be dependent on her test results!"

• 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."

• Lin...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 9, 2025

Rivaroxaban for Pulmonary Embolism "Started on Xarelto 10 mg in 12/2023. Tolerated well. Dose increased to 20 mg once daily after 1 month. I read that side effects were insomnia and fatigue. I worked for years on the night shift because of insomnia, so I really didn't notice. Fatigue increased, and I needed a nap during the day. Sometimes I do fall asleep, and other times, I lie there and rest the body. Not a bad thing. I'm retired, so napping doesn't interfere with my life. The huge plus of Xarelto is that it does not require regular blood tests."