Can something replace the drug Xarelto in atrial fibrillation

Among the most common heart rhythm diseases, atrial fibrillation is distinguished. In the treatment of cardiac fibrillation, the primary role is given to the elimination of complications and death of patients due to the use of antithrombotic drugs. The anticoagulant Xarelto is considered an effective drug that prevents the formation of blood clots. The dosage of Xarelto for atrial fibrillation is selected by the attending physician individually and depends on the characteristics of the pathological processes in the patient's body.

Brief Description of Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation is the most common form of all cardiac arrhythmias. It accounts for 30% of hospitalizations of patients diagnosed with arrhythmia. The increase in the number of cases of the disease depends on age: among people under 60 years old, the disease occurs in 1% of patients, over 60 years old - in 6% of patients. An imbalance in the rhythm of heart beats is accompanied by chaotic work of the atria or twitching of groups of muscle fibers.

Despite its wide distribution, many people are unaware of the presence of a dangerous disease. Often, pathology is detected by patients by chance during an electrocardiogram.

1. Permanent (chronic).
2. Persistent.
3. Transient (paroxysmal).

The first and second forms of arrhythmia last more than 7 days, there are relapses of the disease. With paroxysmal manifestation, the attack manifests itself in less than 24 hours.

Pathology proceeds through two types of arrhythmias of the upper heart: flicker (fibrillation) and atrial flutter .

In addition to dysfunction of the heart muscle, pathology appears with possible violations of the thyroid gland and other organs.

• congenital heart disease;
• Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome;
• diabetes;
• alcohol abuse with constant intoxication of the body;
• high blood pressure;
• ischemia accompanied by complicated processes;
• decreased levels of potassium and magnesium.

• feeling of fear;
• shiver;
• pulsation of the neck veins;
• weakness;
• increased sweating;
• nausea, vomiting.

After the restoration of cardiac rhythms, the manifestations of arrhythmia disappear.

The disease develops as an independent only in 1% of cases. The doctor should establish the diagnosis after a complete examination of the patient: biochemical tests, diagnostics of internal organs and other studies.

The main danger of the disease is the occurrence of a blood clot in the region of the left atrium, which is able to break away and enter the arteries of the brain with blood flow, causing an ischemic stroke. To avoid complications and deaths, it is imperative to prescribe drugs that prevent the appearance of blood clots.

Medical treatment of the disease

To establish the frequency of pulsation and reduce the risk of bleeding, stroke during ischemia and sudden death, several types of effective medicines are used:

1. Beta-blockers (Esmolol, Metoprolol). The most common way to deal with emerging atrial fibrillation in hospitals. These drugs are indicated for patients suffering from ischemic disease. With a high activity of the sympathetic system, they are most effective.
2. Calcium blockers (Verapamil, Diltiazem). Recommended for patients with no symptoms of cardiac insufficiency, as well as in the presence of restrictions on beta-blockers. Not applicable in patients with symptoms of asthma.
3. Kordaron. Highly effective and strong drug used for short-term use. With prolonged use, serious problems with internal organs are possible. It is forbidden to treat patients with iodine intolerance, magnesium and potassium deficiency, endocrine system disorders.
4. Digoxin. It is indicated for patients with prolonged treatment under the control of the pulse and contractions of the heart ventricles. The drug eliminates rhythm disturbances and stimulates the work of the heart muscle. Therefore, it is suitable for use in patients with cardiac insufficiency.

Modern developments in the field of studying atrial fibrillation have revealed that the decisive role in its origin belongs to mental processes. This discovery made it possible to adjust the treatment taking into account the nervous state of the person. To eliminate the attacks of pathology, taking ordinary valerian makes it possible to get a quick result.

In addition to drugs to eliminate signs of atrial fibrillation, a competent doctor prescribes anti-thrombotic drugs (Aspirin, Warfarin, Xarelto), which prevent blood accumulation and the progression of thrombus formation.

Xarelto: composition, contraindications, dosage and side effects

The drug manufactured by Bayer is registered in the European Union, the USA and the CIS countries. Xarelto is approved for use in the prevention of stroke in patients with a common form of palpitations among the population. The drug has a fairly low threshold for side effects and significantly reduces the number of thromboembolic manifestations.

The active ingredient in Xarelto is rivaroxoban. It is an anticoagulant - a substance that prevents blood clots. The mechanism of action of the drug is to block blood clotting. As a result, the blood does not coagulate into clots and does not clog the vessels. To increase bioavailability, the drug contains lactose.

The medicine is used for thrombosis of the pulmonary artery, veins, for the prevention of blockage of blood vessels after orthopedic operations. A person's weight does not affect the dose adjustment of Xarelto.

With atrial fibrillation, the use of Xarelto significantly reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes. According to statistics, the number of thromboembolic complications in people using Xarelto is 33% lower than in patients using standard treatment.

For patients with atrial fibrillation of non-valvular origin, Xarelto is prescribed 20 mg per day as a single dose. With moderate renal failure (creatinine clearance less than 50-30 ml / min), the drug is taken at 15-20 mg per day at a time. The maximum dose of Xarelto per day is 20 mg.

Xarelto 15 mg or 20 mg should be taken orally with meals. If it is not possible to swallow the tablet completely, it is crushed and mixed with liquid. After using the crushed tablet, you must definitely eat. If necessary, it is possible to administer the drug using a gastric tube. Before taking the medicine, the position of the probe in the gastrointestinal tract is agreed with the doctor. A powdered tablet is injected into the probe in a small volume of water. Then enteral nutrition is taken immediately.

If you miss a dose of Xarelto, you need to take the capsule of the drug as soon as possible. The next day, the regular regimen of rivaroxoban continues. It is impossible to double the dosage to compensate for the previously missed tablet.

1. Surgical interventions, childbirth, gastrointestinal or intracranial hemorrhages.
2. Increased sensitivity to the main or auxiliary components of the drug.
3. Renal failure with a creatinine clearance in the blood of 15 ml / min and below.
4. Cirrhosis of the liver of moderate activity.

• pregnancy;
• during breastfeeding;
• severe form of hypertension;
• stomach ulcer;
• decompensated cirrhosis of the liver;
• pathology of cerebral vessels;
• bronchiectasis.

Drug therapy for patients under the age of 18 is not carried out, since there are no reliable data on the effects of anticoagulant on patients of this age.

Like other medicines, Xarelto has a number of side effects. The manufacturer indicates possible bleeding, severe cases of pathology were encountered sporadically. Approximately 25% of patients suffered from bloating, exacerbation of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, nausea.

In 2% of patients taking Xarelto, the following symptoms were recorded: drowsiness, fatigue, tachycardia, abdominal and chest pain, fever.

Patients with lactose intolerance have had problems due to the lactose content in Xarelto tablets.

Conclusion

A new type of oral anticoagulant is being produced to replace the old drug Warfarin for atrial fibrillation that is not associated with a violation of the heart valves.

1. Xarelto.
2. Eliquis.
3. Pradax.

Analogue drugs contain a similar active ingredient, but differ in quality, price, brand and manufacturer. The drug Xareltopol has no analogues.

The effectiveness of new drugs in the prevention of blood clots is equivalent to Warfarin. But the undoubted advantage is the absence of a special diet, a reduced risk of side effects in the form of bleeding. Also, patients do not need to undergo laboratory control to measure the international normalized ratio (INR).

Treatment with Xarelto becomes lifelong. It is carried out as long as the benefit of the drug outweighs the risk of complications.

The process of switching to Xarelto from another drug and vice versa does not cause difficulties for patients, but it is necessary to discuss this action with the doctor and clarify the dosages of the drugs. The best treatment option is selected by the doctor individually.