Let's take a minute to talk about your medication. 

This is Xarelto, and you should take your dose exactly as directed by your doctor. You should take it at the same time each day with food. 

Xarelto helps prevent and treat blood clots. If blood clots happen, or go untreated, they can cause serious problems, even death. Blood clots can occur after knee or hip replacement surgery, or if you have an irregular heart beat called 'atrial fibrillation'. 

Some side effects are expected with Xarelto, like mild bruising or easy bleeding. If these or other reasons make you want to stop taking this medicine, please talk to your doctor or pharmacist. But, don't stop taking it unless the doctor who prescribed it says it's okay. 

You should call your doctor right away if you have unusual changes to your body. This includes bleeding that is unexpected, prolonged or excessive, or if you have blood in your urine or stool. Xarelto can also cause pain in the stomach, back or elsewhere, and you should call your doctor promptly if this happens. 

To reduce side effects and interactions, ask your doctor or pharmacist to review all of the medicines you take, even if they don't require a prescription. 

Also, tell your dentists and other doctors that you take Xarelto. If you need to stop taking it for surgery, check with your prescribing doctor first. 

Women should not breastfeed or become pregnant without first talking to their doctor. 

For best results, continue taking Xarelto to help protect you from blood clots, and read the medication guide for full information.