Anaphylaxis following rivaroxaban ingestion: report of an extremely rare case

Abstract

We reported an anaphylactic reaction following ingestion of rivaroxaban in a 48-years-old male, who was recently discharged from the hospital as a case of deep vein thrombosis. At home, the patient developed a diffuse itchy skin rash, shortness of breath, and vomiting 30 minutes after rivaroxaban ingestion. Emergency Medical Service found that the patient had severe dyspnea, low blood pressure, and decreased blood oxygen saturation. The patient was given oxygen, intramuscular epinephrine, intravenous hydrocortisone, diphenhydramine, salbutamol nebulizer, and was immediately transferred to the emergency department of Hamad General Hospital. Subcutaneous enoxaparin was initiated, while hydrocortisone and salbutamol nebulizer continued. On the next day, his vital signs had stabilized, and intravenous hydrocortisone was switched to prednisolone tablets, and salbutamol nebulizer was switched to budesonide/salmeterol inhaler, whereas enoxaparin was overlapped with warfarin. After achieving the target international normalized ratio (INR), enoxaparin was discontinued and the patient was discharged with significant clinical and laboratory improvement.

Keywords

• rivaroxaban
• anaphylactic reaction
• enoxaparin
• deep vein thrombosis
• case report