Lack of significant bleeding despite large acute rivaroxaban overdose confirmed with whole blood concentrations

Abstract

Background: Since intentional overdose with rivaroxaban is expected to lead to significant coagulopathy and bleeding, prophylactic reversal has been suggested. We report a single massive ingestion confirmed by a blood concentration that was managed with expectant therapy alone.

Case report: A 71-year-old man with atrial fibrillation, aortic valve replacement, and congestive heart failure presented to the emergency department after an intentional ingestion of 97 (1940 mg total) rivaroxaban tablets in a suicide attempt. Initial laboratories revealed: PT, 60.2 s; INR 7.2; aPTT, 55.7 s; BUN 28 mg/dL; and creatinine 1.2 mg/dL. A whole-blood rivaroxaban concentration obtained on hospital-day three was 160 ng/mL. The patient was admitted for continued observation and the coagulation markers trended downward with no major bleeding events. No reversal agents or blood products were given during his hospitalization.

Conclusion: In the setting of a single, acute rivaroxaban overdose, with normal renal function, and no active bleeding, conservative therapy alone may be sufficient.

Keywords:

• Rivaroxaban
• overdose
• anticoagulant
• toxicity

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.