NICE clears Xarelto for pulmonary embolism

The U.K.’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended the anticoagulant rivaroxaban as a possible treatment for adults with pulmonary embolism and to prevent recurrent deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism.

Rivaroxaban (Xarelto, Janssen Pharmaceuticals/Bayer HealthCare) is a factor Xa inhibitor. In April, NICE issued a draft guidance in favor of rivaroxaban after it determined that the drug was a clinically effective and cost-effective treatment.  

The recommendation, which defined rivaroxaban as “an option,” requires the National Health Service to make it available for use within three months. The guidance may be reviewed in May 2015, according to NICE.