Janssen Pharmaceuticals and Bayer presented results from two postmarket studies of Xarelto, looking at real-world data on its use in reducing recurrence of blood clots.

One study showed that patients taking Xarelto (rivaroxaban) for longer than three months had a lower risk of recurrence compared to those taking the drug for only three months. The second study found that rates and patterns of major bleeding in routine clinical practice were consistent with those reported in clinical trials. Both studies were presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Chest Physicians.

In nearly 5,000 people who were diagnosed with their first venous thromboembolism, including deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, researchers found that after one year, recurrence occurred in 1.45 percent of patients who continued treatment, and in 2.60 percent of patients who stopped treatment after three months. Major bleeding occurred in 1.06 percent and 1.13 percent, respectively.

The second study examined data from more than 9,600 people, and showed that 1.3 percent experienced a major bleeding event, primarily in gastrointestinal sites. Patients who experienced major bleeding were typically older, female and had more comorbidities.