{"id":19437,"date":"2021-02-17T13:00:32","date_gmt":"2021-02-17T18:00:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=19437"},"modified":"2026-03-27T10:36:57","modified_gmt":"2026-03-27T14:36:57","slug":"side-effects-of-xarelto-in-the-elderly","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/side-effects-of-xarelto-in-the-elderly\/","title":{"rendered":"What are the side effects of Xarelto in the elderly?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/xarelto\">Xarelto<\/a> is the brand-name version of rivaroxaban. It\u2019s a blood thinner that treats and reduces the risk of blood clots for people with certain cardiovascular conditions, and it can also reduce the risk of strokes. Xarelto is commonly prescribed to seniors but may cause more side effects in older adults than in younger adults. Let\u2019s take a more in-depth look at why this blood thinner is prescribed and the side effects of Xarelto in the elderly.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why are blood thinners prescribed to seniors?\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Blood thinners, also called anticoagulants, are medications that prolong the amount of time it takes the body to form a blood clot. Xarelto is a factor Xa inhibitor, which is a type of anticoagulant that prevents the enzyme thrombin from forming, which plays an important role in the formation of blood clots. Seniors often have a higher risk of getting blood clots, and blood thinners have a strong anticoagulation effect.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are many different health conditions seniors can have that may require them to take a blood thinner. Here are some conditions that would justify a blood thinner prescription:\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Nonvalvular atrial fibrillation: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This type of atrial fibrillation is not caused by a heart valve problem, but it causes a fast and irregular heartbeat. Because this condition disrupts blood flow and increases the risk of getting a blood clot, many people who have it will need to take a blood thinner, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/drugs\/drug-safety-and-availability\/fda-analyses-conclude-xarelto-clinical-trial-results-were-not-affected-faulty-monitoring-device\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">clinical trials<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> have shown that Xarelto is safe and effective for people with atrial fibrillation.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Deep vein thrombosis (DVT): <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DVT is a condition where a blood clot develops deep within a vein, usually in a lower leg or thigh. This condition can become life-threatening if it causes a pulmonary embolism. People with symptoms or a diagnosis of DVT may take a blood thinner to keep the blood clot from worsening and to prevent any new ones from forming.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Pulmonary embolism: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC7086161\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pulmonary embolism<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is what happens when a DVT blood clot loosens from where it formed and moves into one of the pulmonary arteries in the lungs. This can cause chest pain, shortness of breath, and can be life-threatening if it isn\u2019t treated with blood thinners or procedures.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Coronary artery disease (CAD): <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CAD is marked by the narrowing or blockage of the arteries in the heart. People with CAD have an increased risk of getting blood clots that can cause a stroke or heart attack.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Peripheral artery disease (PAD): <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Just like with CAD, people with peripheral artery disease have an increased risk of getting blood clots and experiencing heart attacks or strokes because of them. PAD is characterized by a narrowing of the arteries in the legs, arms, and head.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Knee or hip replacement surgery: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Older adults often need a knee or hip replacement surgery later in life, and these kinds of surgeries can increase the risk of getting a blood clot. Sometimes doctors will prescribe a blood thinner like Xarelto after a knee or hip replacement surgery.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What are the side effects of Xarelto in the elderly?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Blood thinners like Xarelto are great for treating and preventing blood clots but they also come with an increased risk of experiencing certain side effects. Because blood thinners affect the thickness of the blood, they\u2019re often associated with bleeding-related side effects. They also affect blood cell counts, which can cause a unique set of symptoms. <\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Common side effects<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are the most common side effects of Xarelto that seniors might experience:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Increased risk of bleeding<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bruising easily\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prolonged bleeding from cuts<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bleeding gums<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Back pain<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dizziness<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Headache<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nosebleeds<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Numbness<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bowel or bladder dysfunction<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Weakness<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Drug-drug interactions<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This risk of experiencing <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.xarelto-us.com\/what-is-xarelto\/xarelto-side-effects?sitelink=XARELTO+Side+Effects&amp;utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=cpc&amp;utm_campaign=GO-USA-ENG-PS-Xarelto-BC-EX-RN-DTC&amp;gclid=CjwKCAiA9bmABhBbEiwASb35V-6wluDKNtb5TBvTjGyQ2wfoO4x7hpUtkP1uRBw3NWk-b0KjysVInBoCQxcQAvD_BwE&amp;gclsrc=aw.ds\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">bleeding<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as a side effect of Xarelto will increase if it\u2019s taken at the same time as certain other medications. Here\u2019s a list of medications that can cause negative drug interactions:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other injectable or oral anticoagulants\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aspirin<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medications containing heparin<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Warfarin\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Clopidogrel<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Platelet inhibitors\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Serious side effects<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Taking Xarelto can also cause more serious side effects, especially for seniors. You should seek immediate medical care if you experience any of the following side effects while taking Xarelto:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Uncontrollable or unusual bleeding\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Red, pink, or brown urine<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bloody stools<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Black stools<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Coughing up blood<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Coughing up blood clots<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vomit that looks like coffee grounds\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s important that people who are taking Xarelto seek immediate medical attention if they\u2019re having any of these side effects because they may indicate that there\u2019s <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4736815\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">internal bleeding<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, gastrointestinal bleeding, or brain bleeding (intracranial hemorrhage) going on. These types of bleeding incidences are more common among seniors taking Xarelto and can be life-threatening if they\u2019re not addressed right away. Older patients who fall while taking Xarelto should let their doctor know what\u2019s happened and look for any signs of internal bleeding that may indicate it\u2019s time to seek medical advice.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Other warnings<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In addition to these side effects, Xarelto comes with a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/dailymed.nlm.nih.gov\/dailymed\/drugInfo.cfm?setid=10db92f9-2300-4a80-836b-673e1ae91610\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">boxed warning<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that cautions against prematurely stopping the medication because this can increase the risk of a blood clot blocking a vein or artery. The manufacturer\u2019s instructions suggest that a different blood thinner should be taken instead of Xarelto if the medication needs to be stopped for any reason other than major bleeding events. This will help ensure that the person who\u2019s been taking Xarelto doesn\u2019t experience unnecessary and potentially life-threatening blood clots.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xarelto comes with a second boxed warning for an increased risk of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/dailymed.nlm.nih.gov\/dailymed\/drugInfo.cfm?setid=10db92f9-2300-4a80-836b-673e1ae91610\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">spinal\/epidural hematomas<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. People with spinal punctures or people who receive injections into their spine or epidural area have a high risk of getting a blood clot that can cause long-term or permanent paralysis. Doctors will closely monitor their patients for signs of a blood clot, which may include tingling, numbness, back pain, incontinence, and muscle weakness. If you have a spinal puncture, epidural catheter, or receive injections into your spine and have any of these symptoms, you should seek medical care right away.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to take Xarelto<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Taking Xarelto properly is important to make sure it works as effectively as possible and that it causes the least amount of side effects. Xarelto tablets come in four dosage strengths: 2.5mg, 10mg, 15mg, and 20mg. Here are the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/dailymed.nlm.nih.gov\/dailymed\/drugInfo.cfm?setid=10db92f9-2300-4a80-836b-673e1ae91610\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">standard doses<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of Xarelto for different medical conditions:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Atrial fibrillation not caused by a heart valve problem:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> 15-20 mg taken once per day with an evening meal.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Deep vein thrombosis (DVT): <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">15 mg taken twice per day with a meal, at the same times each day.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Pulmonary embolism: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">15 mg taken twice per day with a meal, at the same times each day.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Coronary artery disease (CAD): <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2.5 mg taken twice per day with or without food.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Peripheral artery disease (PAD): <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2.5 mg taken twice per day with or without food.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Knee replacement surgery or hip replacement surgery: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10 mg taken once per day with or without food.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It takes about two to four hours for Xarelto to reach its maximum blood-thinning effect, but t<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">he exact amount of Xarelto that someone needs to take will vary based on their medical condition, medical history, and age, so it\u2019s always best to talk with your doctor about how much Xarelto you should be taking.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once you\u2019ve talked with your doctor and know how much Xarelto you should be taking, you can start taking it as long as you follow any guidelines your doctor gave you. Many doctors recommend that patients take Xarelto at night with an evening meal. This is because the Food and Drug Administration (<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.abcardio.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/REMS.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FDA<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) released information saying that Xarelto may be less effective if it\u2019s not taken that way.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Drug-food interactions<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most foods and beverages are safe to take with Xarelto, with the exception of alcohol, grapefruits, and grapefruit juice. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.therecoveryvillage.com\/alcohol-abuse\/alcohol-and-xarelto\/#:~:text=Mixing%20Xarelto%20and%20alcohol%20can,lasting%20longer%20than%2010%20minutes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Studies<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> have shown that consuming alcohol while taking Xarelto can increase the risk of experiencing bleeding, bruising, and headaches. For some patients, moderate alcohol consumption while taking Xarelto may be okay, but it\u2019s always a good idea to check with your doctor to be on the safe side.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">People who take blood thinners like Xarelto shouldn\u2019t eat grapefruits or drink grapefruit juice because they contain compounds that can interact with the medication and cause complications. Switching to another citrus fruit like oranges can help curb any cravings you might have for citrus fruit and help you stay safe while taking Xarelto.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Missed dose<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you end up missing a dose of Xarelto, it\u2019s best to take the missed dose as soon as you remember on the same day. If you remember that you missed a dose a day later, then it\u2019s best just to take the next dose you\u2019re scheduled to take. Xarelto has a half-life of about <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.xareltohcp.com\/frequently-asked-questions\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">11 to 13 hours<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for older patients, which means that it takes this long for the body to process half of a dose. Do not take an extra dose of Xarelto in the event that you miss a dose. Having extra medication in your system can cause serious side effects. Xarelto doses may need to be decreased in older patients with decreased renal function.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>How to avoid Xarelto side effects<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Taking Xarelto at the same time each day will help your body get used to the medication and will help you remember when to take it. This will also help reduce your chance of experiencing any side effects. If you do start to have side effects after starting Xarelto, you should continue to take the medication but let your doctor know. Stopping Xarelto abruptly can increase your risk of getting a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.xarelto-us.com\/atrial-fibrillation\/xarelto-for-afib\/starting-xarelto-for-afib\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">stroke<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or experiencing other serious side effects.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019ll have to be tapered off of Xarelto in order to safely discontinue using it. Your doctor will come up with a plan for you where you\u2019ll take lower doses of Xarelto over a certain period of time. This will help reduce your chance of experiencing withdrawal symptoms, adverse events, and blood clotting problems.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is the safest blood thinner?\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xarelto isn\u2019t the only blood thinner for seniors. Here are some other common blood thinners:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<table class=\" singlecare-table\" role=\"table\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th colspan=\"4\">\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Best blood thinners for seniors<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr class=\"header-row\">\n<td><b>Drug name<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Standard dosage in seniors (65+)*<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Common side effects in seniors<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>SingleCare savings<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xarelto <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(rivaroxaban)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2.5 mg-10 mg per day<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Increased risk of bleeding, back pain, and weakness<\/span><\/td>\n<td><a class=\"cta-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/xarelto\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Get coupon<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eliquis <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(apixaban)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2.5 mg-10 mg taken twice daily<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chest pain, bruising, and dizziness\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<td><a class=\"cta-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/eliquis\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Get coupon<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Coumadin (warfarin)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&lt; 5 mg per day<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bruising, bleeding, and weakness\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<td><a class=\"cta-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/warfarin-sodium\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Get coupon<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lovenox <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(enoxaparin)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1 mg-40 mg injected subcutaneously,<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bleeding, injection site reactions, and bruising<\/span><\/td>\n<td><a class=\"cta-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/lovenox\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Get coupon<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pradaxa <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(dabigatran)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">75 mg-150 mg taken twice per day<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bruising and minor bleeding, nausea, and heartburn\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<td><a class=\"cta-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/pradaxa\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Get coupon<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Arixtra <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(fondaparinux)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2.5 mg-10 mg injected once per day<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bleeding problems, anemia, and low red blood cell counts\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<td><a class=\"cta-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/arixtra\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Get coupon<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><em>* Dosage depends on the medical condition being treated<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Xarelto is the brand-name version of rivaroxaban. It\u2019s a blood thinner that treats and reduces the risk of blood clots for people with certain cardiovascular conditions, and it can also reduce the risk of strokes. Xarelto is commonly prescribed to seniors but may cause more side effects in older adults than in younger adults. Let\u2019s [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":19550,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4589],"tags":[9650,788,11278],"coauthors":[8861],"class_list":["post-19437","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drug-info","tag-blood-thinners","tag-drug-safety","tag-singlecare-for-seniors","wpautop"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.4 (Yoast SEO v27.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>What are the side effects of Xarelto in the elderly?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Bleeding and bruising are common side effects of Xarelto in the elderly, but there are serious side effects seniors should know before taking blood thinners.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/side-effects-of-xarelto-in-the-elderly\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Xarelto can have different side effects in older adults\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Here&#039;s what you should know before taking the blood thinner\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/side-effects-of-xarelto-in-the-elderly\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"The Checkup\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/singlecare\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2021-02-17T18:00:32+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-03-27T14:36:57+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Xarelto-Side-Effects-Seniors.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1920\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1080\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"SingleCare Team\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:title\" content=\"Xarelto can have different side effects in older adults\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:description\" content=\"Here&#039;s what you should know before taking the blood thinner\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@SingleCare\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@SingleCare\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"SingleCare Team\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"9 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/side-effects-of-xarelto-in-the-elderly\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/side-effects-of-xarelto-in-the-elderly\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"SingleCare Team\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/403ef50a9f402fb9ce49c429659555f5\"},\"headline\":\"What are the side effects of Xarelto in the elderly?\",\"datePublished\":\"2021-02-17T18:00:32+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-03-27T14:36:57+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/side-effects-of-xarelto-in-the-elderly\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1813,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/side-effects-of-xarelto-in-the-elderly\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2021\\\/02\\\/Xarelto-Side-Effects-Seniors.png\",\"keywords\":[\"Blood thinners\",\"Drug safety\",\"SingleCare for Seniors\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Drug Info\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/side-effects-of-xarelto-in-the-elderly\\\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/side-effects-of-xarelto-in-the-elderly\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/side-effects-of-xarelto-in-the-elderly\\\/\",\"name\":\"What are the side effects of Xarelto in the elderly?\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/side-effects-of-xarelto-in-the-elderly\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/side-effects-of-xarelto-in-the-elderly\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2021\\\/02\\\/Xarelto-Side-Effects-Seniors.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2021-02-17T18:00:32+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-03-27T14:36:57+00:00\",\"description\":\"Bleeding and bruising are common side effects of Xarelto in the elderly, but there are serious side effects seniors should know before taking blood thinners.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/side-effects-of-xarelto-in-the-elderly\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/side-effects-of-xarelto-in-the-elderly\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/side-effects-of-xarelto-in-the-elderly\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2021\\\/02\\\/Xarelto-Side-Effects-Seniors.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2021\\\/02\\\/Xarelto-Side-Effects-Seniors.png\",\"width\":1920,\"height\":1080,\"caption\":\"Spilled pill bottle: What are the side effects of Xarelto in the elderly?\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/side-effects-of-xarelto-in-the-elderly\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"What are the side effects of Xarelto in the elderly?\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/\",\"name\":\"The Checkup, a health blog by SingleCare\",\"description\":\"Read the latest in prescription, wellness, and healthcare news\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"SingleCare\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2020\\\/01\\\/placeholderimage-1.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2020\\\/01\\\/placeholderimage-1.jpg\",\"width\":1200,\"height\":630,\"caption\":\"SingleCare\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/singlecare\",\"https:\\\/\\\/x.com\\\/SingleCare\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.instagram.com\\\/singlecare\\\/?hl=en\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.linkedin.com\\\/company\\\/singlecare\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube.com\\\/channel\\\/UCd9kiPIjCQw95-2BHCYePKA\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/403ef50a9f402fb9ce49c429659555f5\",\"name\":\"SingleCare Team\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/7c56ea35da6164263b446caa5424dd8beeb331518803b6043b40932812936fb2?s=96&d=mm&r=gcda8e0f4c5718cb7f68c0ee812f6fafb\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/7c56ea35da6164263b446caa5424dd8beeb331518803b6043b40932812936fb2?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/7c56ea35da6164263b446caa5424dd8beeb331518803b6043b40932812936fb2?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"SingleCare Team\"},\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.singlecare.com\\\/blog\\\/author\\\/singlecareteam\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"What are the side effects of Xarelto in the elderly?","description":"Bleeding and bruising are common side effects of Xarelto in the elderly, but there are serious side effects seniors should know before taking blood thinners.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/side-effects-of-xarelto-in-the-elderly\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Xarelto can have different side effects in older adults","og_description":"Here's what you should know before taking the blood thinner","og_url":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/side-effects-of-xarelto-in-the-elderly\/","og_site_name":"The Checkup","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/singlecare","article_published_time":"2021-02-17T18:00:32+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-03-27T14:36:57+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1920,"height":1080,"url":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Xarelto-Side-Effects-Seniors.png","type":"image\/png"}],"author":"SingleCare Team","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_title":"Xarelto can have different side effects in older adults","twitter_description":"Here's what you should know before taking the blood thinner","twitter_creator":"@SingleCare","twitter_site":"@SingleCare","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"SingleCare Team","Est. reading time":"9 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/side-effects-of-xarelto-in-the-elderly\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/side-effects-of-xarelto-in-the-elderly\/"},"author":{"name":"SingleCare Team","@id":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/403ef50a9f402fb9ce49c429659555f5"},"headline":"What are the side effects of Xarelto in the elderly?","datePublished":"2021-02-17T18:00:32+00:00","dateModified":"2026-03-27T14:36:57+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/side-effects-of-xarelto-in-the-elderly\/"},"wordCount":1813,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/side-effects-of-xarelto-in-the-elderly\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Xarelto-Side-Effects-Seniors.png","keywords":["Blood thinners","Drug safety","SingleCare for Seniors"],"articleSection":["Drug Info"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/side-effects-of-xarelto-in-the-elderly\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/side-effects-of-xarelto-in-the-elderly\/","url":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/side-effects-of-xarelto-in-the-elderly\/","name":"What are the side effects of Xarelto in the elderly?","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/side-effects-of-xarelto-in-the-elderly\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/side-effects-of-xarelto-in-the-elderly\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Xarelto-Side-Effects-Seniors.png","datePublished":"2021-02-17T18:00:32+00:00","dateModified":"2026-03-27T14:36:57+00:00","description":"Bleeding and bruising are common side effects of Xarelto in the elderly, but there are serious side effects seniors should know before taking blood thinners.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/side-effects-of-xarelto-in-the-elderly\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/side-effects-of-xarelto-in-the-elderly\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/side-effects-of-xarelto-in-the-elderly\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Xarelto-Side-Effects-Seniors.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Xarelto-Side-Effects-Seniors.png","width":1920,"height":1080,"caption":"Spilled pill bottle: What are the side effects of Xarelto in the elderly?"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/side-effects-of-xarelto-in-the-elderly\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"What are the side effects of Xarelto in the elderly?"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/","name":"The Checkup, a health blog by SingleCare","description":"Read the latest in prescription, wellness, and healthcare news","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/#organization","name":"SingleCare","url":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/placeholderimage-1.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/placeholderimage-1.jpg","width":1200,"height":630,"caption":"SingleCare"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/singlecare","https:\/\/x.com\/SingleCare","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/singlecare\/?hl=en","https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/singlecare\/","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCd9kiPIjCQw95-2BHCYePKA"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/403ef50a9f402fb9ce49c429659555f5","name":"SingleCare Team","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/7c56ea35da6164263b446caa5424dd8beeb331518803b6043b40932812936fb2?s=96&d=mm&r=gcda8e0f4c5718cb7f68c0ee812f6fafb","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/7c56ea35da6164263b446caa5424dd8beeb331518803b6043b40932812936fb2?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/7c56ea35da6164263b446caa5424dd8beeb331518803b6043b40932812936fb2?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"SingleCare Team"},"url":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/author\/singlecareteam\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19437","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19437"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19437\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":635784,"href":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19437\/revisions\/635784"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/19550"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19437"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19437"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=19437"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=19437"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}