Rivaroxaban has been recommended by the U.K. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) as a treatment option for prevention of blood clots in adults who have had acute coronary syndrome with elevated cardiac biomarkers, the agency announced in a statement.
NICE officials recommended rivaroxaban (Xarelto), in combination with aspirin plus clopidogrel or aspirin alone, as an option for preventing atherothrombotic events in patients who have had a heart attack. Assessment of clinical-effectiveness evidence was based on data from an international, multicenter, randomized controlled trial. An independent appraisal committee considered clinical and cost-effectiveness evidence before making the recommendation.
Rivaroxaban, manufactured by Bayer and marketed by Janssen Pharmaceuticals, is an orally active direct factor Xa inhibitor.
Clinicians should regularly reassess the benefits and risks of continuing treatment with rivaroxaban, the agency recommended, and a decision on continuation of treatment should be made no later than 12 months after starting treatment.
Read the full guideline statement here.