Rivaroxaban rivals enoxaparin for VTE prevention

The oral antithrombotic agent, rivaroxaban [BAY 597939], is effective in preventing venous thromboembolism (VTE), according to the results of two phase II studies presented at the 20th Congress of the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) [Sydney, Australia; August 2005]. The studies involved > 1300 patients and showed that rivaroxaban was as effective as enoxaparin sodium in reducing the incidence of VTE following knee or hip replacement surgery. Furthermore, there were no significant differences between the two treatments in the incidence of bleeding. Rivaroxaban may offer advantages over current antithrombotic therapies as it can be administered orally and does not require monitoring. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data presented at the meeting indicate that rivaroxaban can be administered in combination with enoxaparin or aspirin.