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NICE has recommended rivaroxaban in final draft guidance as an option for preventing blood clots in people who have had an acute coronary syndrome (ACS).
The drug is licensed for adults who have an ACS severe enough to result in the release of cardiac biomarkers into the blood that show heart muscle has been damaged. It is given with aspirin and clopidogrel, another drug that helps to prevent the blood from clotting, or with aspirin alone.
Rivaroxaban is given as a tablet. It prevents the formation of blood clots by stopping a substance called Factor Xa from working. Factor Xa is necessary in the formation of thrombin and fibrin, the key components in blood clot formation.
Rivaroxaban helps to maintain blood flow to the heart muscle to prevent further damage to the heart.
Professor Carole Longson, NICE Health Technology Evaluation Centre Director, said:
“Based on the evidence considered, the independent Appraisal Committee concluded that rivaroxaban, in combination with aspirin plus clopidogrel or with aspirin alone, was more effective than aspirin plus clopidogrel or aspirin alone for preventing further cardiovascular deaths and heart attacks in people with acute coronary syndrome and raised cardiac biomarkers. The Committee therefore recommended rivaroxaban as a cost-effective use of NHS resources.
“Because rivaroxaban is associated with a higher risk of causing bleeding than clopidogrel in combination with aspirin or aspirin alone, the draft guidance recommends that before starting treatment doctors should carry out a careful assessment of a person’s bleeding risk.
“The decision to start treatment should be made after an informed discussion between the doctor and patient about the benefits and risks of rivaroxaban. Also, because there is limited experience of treatment with rivaroxaban up to 24 months, the draft guidance recommends careful consideration should be given to whether treatment is continued beyond 12 months.”