Xarelto And Weight Gain
(Newest replies first)

I have been on 15mg of Xarelto along with 40mg of Crestor for approximatley 8 months and have suffered through a distended abdomen and burning and aching in my hips, legs and feet. After blood tests and scans ruled out anything sinister I chose to stop taking Crestor altogether. Within a week my abdomen was no longer distented and much of the pain in my hips and legs reduced to a point where I actually got some sleep. I have now started back doing my walking and concentrating on eating everything right but my weight inexplicably is going up and up. I have also noticed my tension type headache and tinnitus which I have had both for 11 years has intensified and difficult to ignore. I can only think the weight gain can be caused by Xarelto...there seems to be no other explanation and I have asked my doctor to put me back to Warfarin. The increase to my tension headache and tinnitus may have been caused by Crestor although it has not diminished since stopping that medication 3 weeks ago. Has anybody else noticed these side effects taking Xarelto?

REPLY

REPORT

Re: Germangirl (# 18)

What kind of side effects did you have when you stopped taking it?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Dale (# 8)

I too have had weight gain. Hardly eat and can’t lose a pound. Went off Xarelto today because I’m literblerding to death with my period( I’m in menopause) I have only been on it for three months due to Afib so fr said I could go off it. My knees hurt hips hurt all the time I’m I’m hoping it’s the Xarelto..

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Dale (# 14)

I read your message on gaining weight with xarelto. Have you managed to lose it and how?

Thks Sante

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I gained weight taking Xarelto. In the first three months I gained 19 pounds. I am 5'-8" and normally weighed 135 but gained to 154. My waist was normally 29 - 30" and increased to 43". It is still at 40" after having stopped xarelto 3 years ago and after having lost weight (down to 143.) I don't eat very much. My lifestyle and habits did not change - the only difference was having taken Xarelto.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Just like everyone, I started Xarelto after a provoked DVT. I was prescribed the med for 3 months. In my second month, the sudden weight came on. I was bloated and tired. My body structure changed.

When I finished my 3-month therapy, the ore joints and weakness and fatigue persisted. I couldn’t do much without running out of breath.
The frustration forced me to research and focus on getting my body and wellness back. Here are some of the things I did:

- I started taking apple cider vinegar (2 tablespoons mixed with warm water) every morning.
- As soon as I stopped Xarelto, I started taking turmeric capsules and omega 3 supplements. You can research the benefits of each. They both helped me with the pain in my joints.
- I also started taking ginger and lemon in hot water, at different times from the apple cider vinegar. Ginger and lemon aid weight loss.
I did these for about 6 weeks, didn’t see any change with my weight but I started feeling better and stronger.

Because I was feeling healthier, I added daily walking (or every other day). To my surprise, this simple activity brought back strength to my joints and bones. It increased my endurance. I recommend staying away from heavy exercise or cardio until your body feels stronger.

Along with these, I was taking vitamin D and zinc to help strengthen my weakened immune system.

About 8 weeks later, which coincided with the new year 2021, I started a 21-day Daniel fast (no wheat, bread or dairy products but grains, vegetables, fruits and legumes). This was when I literally started seeing the combined results from all these interventions.

I don’t think the diet/fast alone would have helped me lose weight. I needed to heal/treat the inflammation and pain first, then build some endurance.

Now I have added some weight exercise to help build my lost muscles from inactivity over the period of 3 months that Xarelto kept me fatigued.

If you are struggling to lose the weight, consider that you may need a sequence, for me it was:
Treat inflammation - build endurance - strengthen immune system - low-key exercise - diet restriction - add some cardio

I believe it’s not possible to lose weight when the body has a lot of inflammation. I focused on treating the inflammation before I started seeing some weight loss.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 2

Re: Kendall (# 54)

Warfarin literally did the same thing for me that most are saying xarelto does. I think its blood thinners in general that make it easier to put on weight, and numbness, fatigue, all that.....I was the biggest I've ever been while on Warfarin.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: J (# 70)

Hi! I am on Xarelto for afib, which my doctor pushes very hard to keep me on. I am 71, a woman overweight and have always had a fight with my weight but always able to lose too. (If I have to ) Not grossly overweight but anyway...But doc says you will have a stroke....Ok, how does he know this? I am not in permanent afib, and I can get natural foods to thin blood. I have been on X for one year and gained 15 pounds, and cannot lose it!! I have the stabbing pains in my feet and hands, swelling in feet, Every muscle and joint hurts. I am ready to stop it and do something else. The big pharmaceuticals and Docs get their pockets filled while we suffer....Now I am at a point where the Medicare has a coverage gap and its costing me triple what I was paying. I cant win with this drug and I have heard so many others say their doctors wont even give it to them because it is not determined to be safe and still in the experimental stages. I am no guinea pig and at 71 want my life back,......I can barely walk anymore.. Sorry to get on about this drug, but I know your pain and frustration...One yer of my life has went by and its not getting better...but worse. I wish you luck and keep me posted as to how you do..

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Hey all,

Been on xarelto for 6 months now for a femoral DVT, and have been gaining weight steadily despite eating like a rabbit and exercising regularly. I'm a 38-year-old male and have always fought with weight issues (6'3, average weight 275-300lb), but since I've started taking this drug, no matter what I do, I can't drop the lbs. Swelling in both my ankles, high BP (have never had issues before xarelto) and severe, stabbing pain in the right front area of my head are also common, some of which have dropped me to my knees (both from the severity and surprise, as they come out of nowhere). Doc says that this is common, but I'm at the point of wondering if the risks outweigh (pun) the gains. If the weight gain continues regardless of lifestyle, a heart-attack is certainly imminent.

I realize that this drug is relatively new, and that the docs are pushed by the pharmaceutical companies to use these drugs, but damn, man.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Re: Dale (# 14)

Oh man, I feel your pain. Did you get off Xarelto? I have had afib since way back before 2000 and it was a big episode that put me in hospital. Then in 2013 I had another light one. One year ago I had a cardioversion and put on X. I hate this drug and my doctor will not agree for me to go off it. My age, my afib, my history. My afib is under control, but I am still 71, overweight and it makes me so mad, they find all the excuses. I don't care anymore and I want off this so the pain, out of breath,dizziness and weight will get better. If you have gotten off this terrible drug, let me know how you did it. My doctors wont do it. They need their pockets full.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 2

Re: Jerell (# 2)

Me too! Im a workout fanatic, 6x a week gym..I had a six pack stomach, then after 8 mos of xeralto i have a balloon beer belly!! I have before and after shots! Incredible.. They lied on clinical trials, they had to, too too many of us.. Again, i have pictures shirt off, before and after... disgusting

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Re: curtis (# 4)

I started it in December and my Pulmonary embolism is now gone.Now at the end of the month I gained 25lbs.So thankfully I am starting to take a 81 milgran of aspirin.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Hi. I've been off xarelto since May 2016. In February I started taking Bromelain, Serrapeptase (120,000 2x's a day on empty stomach. when i wake up, and at 5pm), and Nanokinase (2000 2x's also) google!! I'm encouraged. I also took 1 teaspoon of L-Glutamine powder in small glass of water with a splash of juice on an empty stomach. Cures leaky gut.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 2

Re: Mila (# 28)

I’ve been on Coumadin for years and apart from the blood test, no side effects at all. Most Drs hate the drug but it seems the new breed of anticoagulants are very suss.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I have been on Xarelto for the past seven months for PE from birth control and I gained about 25 lbs. The third month I literally walked 8 miles a day and I still can't shake the weight. I have lost about 13 lbs since the first of the year but that is depressing given the anount cardio I put in. I gained have always been active/athletic so usually four months of cardio (some days I do 16 miles). I would be very toned. But the weight settle around my stomach which has never happened (I am 34). I have two more weeks and I am praying the side affects leave. I bought a suna suit to walk/jog in because I am so desperate.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: judithcorey59 (# 6)

Hi Judith. What has happened since your post? Did the odor stop? I think your body was releasing toxins through your skin at a very rapid rate. That happened to me many years ago when I had started taking a lot of vitamins and a wild rose hip concentrated homebrew concoction. My lower arm and the back of my hand even smelled bad after a through scrubbing. I took epsom salt baths to help eliminate the odor. The good thing is after a few weeks the odor stopped and my facial skin had become "peaches and cream."

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Marion (# 60)

Hi all. Well, things have progressed remarkably since my last blog in that I was able to see the specialist who has taken over from the guy who prescribed Xarelto 4 years ago. I actually thought that it was 6 years but the Physician's records show 4 years which fits in with the timeline of when this dreadful drug seems to have become available. He was sceptical of my insistence that the problems I was experiencing were in any way related to Xarelto. Like another one of your contributors I know my body and what it tells me. This guy insisted that it was neuropathy so he sent me in for evaluations in that area. Fortunately, I was given a cancellation rather than having to wait the usual 4 to 6 months to see him. The result of all that was 'mild peripheral neuropathy of axonal type'. Then back to the Physician who then agreed that I could safely come off Xarelto and replace it with Aspirin. I'm not sure what my GP will think about that when I have my next consultation because he was so insistent that I was dreaming. Why won't these medicos look at these sites which contradict their views? I'm sure it's because they take the word of the Pharma's list of side effects and don't have the time or inclination to look past their noses....not to mention kickbacks...don't really want to go there. Today is only the second day I have been off Xarelto and I feel better already but it's probably just the relief of having someone listen to me.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Re: Dale (# 14)

Yes. Work out all the time. Gained 20 lbs in 3 months. Hate the drug

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Re: Dale (# 8)

I have been on Xarelto for about 6 years and I hate it. I changed GPs because it seems that most of them are not concerned about symptoms and actually blame my burning limbs at night from arthritis. I have had pins and needles for most of those 6 years and it has now deteriorated to the burning. The strange thing is, that I am fine when I'm awake but dreadful when I lie down. Having said that my GP is not concerned I have to tell you that he referred me to a specialist neurologist but on discovering that his fees were $800 for an hour consultation I chose not to go.I am an age pensioner so you will understand that call. I think he would probably just prescribe something else anyway. Also there would necessarily be a follow up consultation so where does it all stop with these guys? I have yet to face my current GP with that fact. My problem stems from my Protein C deficiency which causes blood clotting so I'm wary of going off it. The specialist who prescribed Xarelto has retired so I can't go back to see him. I was interested in all the comments about weight gain. I didn't connect my prob in that area until I read the posts here but we eat well (seriously) and walk regularly.I weigh 68kgs now at the age of 78 and have never been more than 60 kgs but mostly low 50 kgs in my childbearing years. It's a big concern to say the least. Another interesting point is the fact that we need to stop Xarelo if facing surgery...how is it then dangerous for us to go off it permanently. Thank you to all those who have posted here. It is extremely encoraging to know I'm not alone with these probs.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I have been on Xarelto for 3 months and have gained about 15 pounds. My hair has also taken a hit, it is very depressing. When I ask the questions about the side affects on one seem to have an answer.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Dale (# 14)

The doctors get kick backs from these expensive drugs. I have been on xeralto for 4 years and I have gained weight and my health has gone down the tubes.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

I have been taking xarelto for about 4 months post PE I have gained about 20 pounds and am breaking out horribly non sto...

14 REPLIES

I still have leg pain every now and then with xarelto. I have also gain 13 lbs within 5 month period while exercising. H...

6 REPLIES

ive been anticoagulated for 8 years. recently switched from lovenox to xarrelto. i am hoping the weight gain and the hai...

3 REPLIES

I have gained about 40 pounds in 8 months, I don't attribute all of that to xarelto, however I work out pretty vigor...

2 REPLIES

I just started (09/29/2016) Xarelto - 15 mg 2x/day for a large DVT and multiple PE's. In one month I have ballooned ...

32 REPLIES

I'm trying to determine if weight gain is possible with Xarelto? I have been taking this for about 2 years now (20 m...

4 REPLIES

I have been on Xarelto for about a month and my weight went up 25 to 30 lbs. Before I was on Xarelto I was taking Warfin...

10 REPLIES

I take Xarelto 20 mg per day. I take it because I am a Factor V Leiden. Would there be any side affects if I started to ...

3 REPLIES

I weaned myself off Pristiq over the summer and felt fine for a couple months. Then I gained 40 POUNDS in what couldn...

4 REPLIES

I have successfully lost 100lbs over the last 2 years. I went off chlorthalidone three weeks ago and I have gained about...

4 REPLIES