The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) just approved a new drug called Xarelto (rivaroxaban). Xarelto is a blood thinner (anti-coagulant). A large study which included over 15,000 patients found that Xarelto significantly reduced the risk of death when it was added to standard therapy after a heart attack (myocardial infarction) or other acute coronary syndrome episode.
As with other anti-coagulants, the big side effect (noted at this time) is major bleeding, especially gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. Also, because it’s a new drug, expect it to be pricey (one source mentioned the higher dosage (the study trialed two dosages) pill might cost up to $7 a day).
More information about this study and findings can be found at Medpagetoday at http://www.medpagetoday.com/Cardiology/AcuteCoronarySyndrome/29637
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