FDA Approves Johnson & Johnson's Xarelto to Reduce Risk of Blood Clots after Hip, Knee Replacements

On July 1, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Xarelto (rivaroxaban) to reduce the risk of blood clots, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and pulmonary embolism (PE) following knee or hip replacement surgery. Xarelto is a pill taken once daily. Those undergoing a knee replacement should take the medication for 12 days and patients undergoing a hip replacement procedure should take Xarelto for 35 days. The safety and effectiveness of Xarelto was evaluated in patients undergoing hip replacement surgery and patients undergoing knee replacement surgery. Clinical studies were designed to identify occurrence of venous thromboembolic events (VTE), DVT, PE or death in patients treated. Treatment with Xarelto was compared to treatment with enoxaparin, a drug that prevents DVTs or blood clotting.

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