Xarelto and Headaches: What Users Say

• kat...
• May 2, 2019

For Deep Vein Thrombosis "I started on Xarelto after having a bleed out with Warfarin through my kidneys. I was on this drug for almost 8 years. In the last two years, I kept telling my doctors the side effects this drug was giving my body. Nobody listened. Eventually, I received some helpful information on the neurological side of this drug. Everything it said was what I was experiencing. So I have now switched to Eliquis (which is recommended by cardiologists almost worldwide) and it has been heaven ever since. No Xarelto-induced crazy dreams, leg twitching, cramps, headaches, tremors, anxiety, etc. Take control, people, over your own body."

• Smi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 12, 2018

For Atrial Fibrillation "First 5 weeks on Xarelto I had explosive diarrhea. A sac of blood formed at the back of my mouth and broke while brushing teeth. I had wondered if the sac was pus signaling abscess, however, after the sac broke and blood flowed, no other problems occurred. My eyes have sandy substances that I am continually rubbing away, eyes are red, irritated, look tired. Sometimes I cannot read what is on a computer screen or in a book. I have tiredness/weakness. Also, headaches/neck aches, which are not normal for me. Will be discussing these at an appointment in July. I have been on Xarelto for 4 1/2 months."

• Ric...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 17, 2014

For Deep Vein Thrombosis "Was on Xarelto for three months and enjoyed the freedom from warfarin... BUT went back to warfarin because headaches, constant sore upset stomach, weird dreams, and hallucinations at night... Three weeks off Xarelto and back on warfarin, am feeling normal again... Just me, and if Xarelto works for you, stay with it..."

• Zls...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 22, 2019

For Pulmonary Embolism "At 17 years of age, my daughter was admitted to the ER for breathing discomfort. She was diagnosed with pulmonary embolism in both lungs and DVT. The cause of the embolism was from taking birth control pills for only one week. She gave herself Lovenox injections for one year with no side effects but bruising. She was then put on Xarelto for 6 months. The first couple of weeks of taking Xarelto, she started experiencing hair loss, leg pain, headaches, and severe anxiety. She has lost more than half of her hair and she hardly has any eyebrow hair. We are absolutely certain the medication is the cause. She takes 25 mg once daily. The doctor will not take her off of the Xarelto. Thankfully, she only has 2 more months to go. But with all the bad reviews such as uncontrolled bleeding, stroke, and death, it has me worried sick all day and night."

• Cha...
• May 7, 2016

For Pulmonary Embolism "I've been on Xarelto now for a month, and I'm sure it's working quickly, as I noticed within 24 hours of my incident (small PE in left lung). I couldn't believe the sharp pains subsided and breathing improved in that short amount of time. Since I've been taking this for a month now and actually lowered the dose from 30 mg to 20 mg daily, I feel worse and worse. I feel like I have the hangover of the century all the time, no alcohol. I cannot tolerate it on this drug. Burning eyes, constant headache, extreme headache, and fatigue, exhausted, in bed by 6:00 PM usually. I have two teenagers and a job, finding it hard to carry on with my life. I'm so depressed. It's bad enough to have this happen, but this Xarelto is making me miserable!"

• Cha...
• May 7, 2016

For Pulmonary Embolism "I've been on Xarelto now for a month, and I'm sure it's working quickly, as I noticed within 24 hours of my incident (small PE in left lung). I couldn't believe the sharp pains subsided and breathing improved in that short amount of time. Since I've been taking this for a month now and actually lowered the dose from 30 mg to 20 mg daily, I feel worse and worse. I feel like I have the hangover of the century all the time, no alcohol. I cannot tolerate it on this drug. Burning eyes, constant headache, extreme headache, and fatigue, exhausted, in bed by 6:00 PM usually. I have two teenagers and a job, finding it hard to carry on with my life. I'm so depressed. It's bad enough to have this happen, but this Xarelto is making me miserable!"

• Nes...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 25, 2020

For Pulmonary Embolism "Absolutely hate Xarelto. Hate it. I had PEs in both lungs discovered in December 2019 when I had severe shortness of breath. 22 at the time, female. Had started birth control two weeks prior, was dehydrated, and was doing a lot of sitting down due to finals. 15 mg twice a day worked for me, only had fatigue and night sweats to deal with. I've been on the 20 mg once a day for about 5 months now, and I feel worse every day. Headaches all the time, fatigue, excessive sweating, rapid heart rate, leg pains that give me anxiety about more possible clots, heavy periods, chest pains that make me feel like I'm not getting better. It's hard for me to sleep at night with how uncomfortable I always am. Off it mid-June. Can't wait."

• Dam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 13, 2016

For Atrial Fibrillation "I'm a 50 yr old female who is still menstruating. I started this drug in the hospital, and my cycle went from 3-5 days to up to 9 days then stopped. This month, I am on day 15 of an incredibly heavy cycle. I wear two extra long overnight pads (which should last 10 hours), and I go through them in less than 2 hours. I started this drug after a mild stroke that seems to have been a by-product of A-fib. I didn't want Coumadin (aka Rat Poison) and thought out of the 3 two-year-old medicines left, this seemed to be the best for my active lifestyle. It is not. The bleeding is so heavy, I am exhausted. Pains in my feet and ankles, back pains, neck pains, and migraine-like headaches on the opposite side of my stroke-affected side. Help!"

• Wil...
• December 2, 2018

For Pulmonary Embolism "Never had a PE, but I became sedentary, sitting for hours working on my laptop. I also stopped drinking lots of water. The only reason the hospital found for my saddle PE was long hours of sitting & reduced water intake. Water keeps blood flowing; so does exercise. I passed out & woke up with sweating, nausea, couldn't breathe; then my heart went into a-fib. The ER did a CT scan & found a 6-inch clot! Took Xarelto 15 mg. twice daily, then 20 mg. once daily. My awesome hematologist ordered a battery of 19 separate blood tests after I'd been on Xa for 6 months. With good test results & no further clots, dosage reduced to 10 mg. once daily. Side effects: hair loss (I had thick, long hair; over 60% now gone), bizarre dreams, muscle twinges, headaches, dizziness, increased skin/nerve sensitivity & bruising, tiredness, extreme weight gain. I barely eat 2 meals daily, but gained 40 lbs. since taking Xarelto! I hope to be weaned from this drug, but I know God & Xarelto saved my life!"

• Tsu...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 30, 2014

For Deep Vein Thrombosis "DVT in ankle, then again in the other ankle, then one in the knee. Tried Warfarin with many headaches, stopped on my own due to the side effect. That's how the DVT came back. Went to Coumadin, and the difference was Coumadin gave me a consistent test result. Still the headaches almost daily. From minimal to taking 800 mg of ibuprofen just to get rid of the pain. Already allergic to peanuts, then restricted by medicine with no greens or cranberry. Really tough to find a good meal. Begged my doctor for a prescription before it was approved for DVT, and that could be part of my positive reaction. Now on Xarelto for 2 years, headaches once in a while - maybe due to medicine but not consistent enough to believe. Eat anything and everything."

• Aut...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 17, 2020

For Atrial Fibrillation "Xarelto is very effective in providing an anticoagulant effect. For me, that resulted in almost uncontrollable nosebleeds (up to 14 hours) and 3-5 hours for very minor skin scratches. But the worst outcomes were the side effects: consistent headaches; severe shortness of breath; depression; bad mood (extremely grouchy); stomach aches; and constipation. I do not recommend this medicine to anyone. Warfarin ($6.00/month) is easy to manage, and it has almost NO side effects."

• you...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 29, 2015

For Deep Vein Thrombosis "This is my second DVT in 5 years. I'm only 26, and it's from a genetic disorder. I took warfarin the first time around, and her doctor gave me Xarelto this time. I was thrilled due to no strict diet, constant finger pricks, etc. However, from day 1 of Xarelto, I had horrible headaches that I could not get rid of. I took my dose with dinner, and if we had a late dinner, after 7, I would get vivid dreams that left me exhausted in the morning. It caused two ocular migraines, which I have never had, which scared me because I thought I was going blind! I was also hallucinating at all times of the day. I'm back on warfarin now, all side effects have stopped! Loved the promise of Xarelto, but believe it needs more testing!"

• Anonymous
• October 1, 2015

For Deep Vein Thrombosis "Had DVT in my calf, had a couple of clots get stuck in my lung 2 weeks after starting Xarelto. Now, after 2 1/2 months on it, I get headaches, dizzy, lightheadedness, weakness in legs and arms, and tingling in arms and hands. I had to leave work today because I was so weak. Going to have doc take me off it."

• Jab...
• July 15, 2017

For Pulmonary Embolism "I had a PE in 2014. Will be on blood thinners for life. Specialist switched me from warfarin to Xarelto last February, and life has been three shades of hell ever since. Weight gain, pain, headaches, hair loss, ridiculous fatigue... my period was out of control-like Carrie (Stephen King) style-until I finally got an IUD device (which I have never really wanted to do, but at least my iron stores have recovered). I found a new family doctor who agreed to put me back on warfarin, but the specialist talked me out of it this winter. I'm so weak and tired I can't stand it. Started on warfarin yesterday and get to quit the Xarelto in two days. Can't wait."

• Han...
• April 28, 2017

For Deep Vein Thrombosis "I am 20 years old, and I just started the rivaroxaban 2 weeks ago, after they found a clot in my arm! I'm on 20 mg twice a day for 3 weeks and then 15 mg for 3 months. I find I am really tired all the time, and I do get a good bit of sleep at night too! I never usually got headaches before, but now I find around an hour after taking the pill, I get a headache! Just wondering, is this due to the pill, or am I just overthinking it!"

• fiz...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 3, 2017

For Pulmonary Embolism, Recurrent Event "Xa inhibitors such as Xarelto are increasingly becoming more commonly prescribed and are very effective in treating antiphospholipid syndrome (an autoimmune disorder that causes 'sticky blood,' resulting in clots) as an alternative to warfarin, particularly in the cases of patients such as myself who had unstable INR results. The side effects have been minimal and possibly can't all necessarily be blamed on Xarelto as I take many other medications, some with similar side effects such as tiredness and headaches. The worst side effect for me is dizziness, but my specialist recommended I take it just before bed instead of in the morning as the dizziness wears off within several hours."

• Pre...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 4, 2017

For Pulmonary Embolism "I feel terrible taking this medication. My ankles are swollen, my back aches, my headaches. I have a BM after I eat anything, the shower spray feels like pinpricks on my arms, and I am tired and morose. I felt better with the pulmonary emboli."

• MrS...
• July 7, 2015

For Deep Vein Thrombosis, Recurrent Event "Put on Xarelto 2 months ago for DVT in left leg. 3rd such occurrence. Have a genetic disorder for blood clots. Only had mild headaches. As for the stomach problem, after reading info on this drug, I found out it has lactose in it. So, being lactose intolerant, I bought some pills for this condition and take them before I swallow my pill. Works fine. No more stomach problems. My one concern here is when I cut myself I do not bleed any more than I did before. So, I am wondering if this medication is working for me."

• Kin...
• December 11, 2017

For Deep Vein Thrombosis "In 2008, a kindergarten kiddo knocked me down, and I broke my femur. I ended up with a DVT and bilateral PEs. Took Warfarin, but my INR was all over the place, so the doctor put me on Lovenox until all was clear. Fast forward to this past October 13, 2017. Woke up with a swollen and hurting ankle. I feared a superficial clot. NEVER dreamed I had a DVT... much less three huge clots from behind my knee stretching all the way to my ankle. The doctor started me on Eliquis and, of course, I was allergic to it. I was switched to Xarelto. Three days later, I started having HORRIBLE headaches that began about one hour after taking the med and last ALL day long! I'm up and down all night, either insomnia or leg cramps. I am waiting to hear from the doctor on a plan. HATE this med!"

• Cha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 15, 2019

For Deep Vein Thrombosis "I started Xarelto in April due to an unprovoked DVT in my upper left axillary. It was coincidental. I started 15 mg x2 then 20 mg x1. After 2 months on it, I started noticing minimal blood in my stool and anal spasms. Went to my GI doctor and am now waiting for my colonoscopy to be done. I get headaches, muscle spasms, constipation, lightheadedness. My concern right now is mainly the blood in the stool. Even though it's minimal, I’m scared that it could be something else. I’ve heard and read stories about Xarelto causing blood in stool. Anyone out there having blood in stool and spasms in the anus due to this medicine? Please share. I’m off this pill next month since my clot went away."

• Nic...
• July 1, 2016

For Deep Vein Thrombosis "I've been taking Xarelto for 5 months for a blood clot in the brain. I've felt a range of side effects including: dizziness/vertigo, headaches, photosensitivity, lesions on my nose, ear, and tongue, sinusitis, nausea, diarrhea, heavy menstrual bleeding, and general aches/fatigue. Basically, any kind of infection I get is much worse than it would be normally. I haven't had any major bleeding events, but my periods have been debilitatingly heavy. As far as effectiveness, it has worked for me, and I have not developed any further clotting, which is the most important thing. Not sure if other blood thinners are as effective and have less severe side effects, but if they are, it probably would have been worth the extra trips to the doc for me."

• Anonymous
• June 3, 2016

"My 23-year-old son was diagnosed with a portal vein thrombosis. There was no reason, and after extensive testing, still unable to determine why this happened to him. He was placed on Xarelto, and 3 months later, the thrombosis has completely cleared. He had very minimal side effects (some oral bleeding, fatigue, occasional headache), and I was thrilled he didn't have to deal with Coumadin. He is anxious to be done with the medication, but overall, it has been pretty easy to deal with."

• Mys...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 22, 2017

For Deep Vein Thrombosis, Recurrent Event "Genetic factor 5 - inherited from my parents. My body produces more blood clots than the average person, therefore, my doctor put me on this anticoagulant almost a year ago. I take it at bedtime. Sometimes (not often at all) a pain in my head."

• A M...
• February 7, 2016

For Atrial Fibrillation "I have terrible headaches after 2 weeks. Some are so bad I vomit and have vertigo. Other days I will have head pain for 12 hours or more. At least 3 headaches a week now."

• tam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 1, 2015

For Pulmonary Embolism "I am 39 and was given Xarelto for pulmonary embolism. I have experienced nausea, dizziness, dreams, and mild headaches. Not sure this medicine is for me. Back to the doctor on Monday."