I need to have a simple tooth extraction and I’m taking Rivaroxaban. Do I need to stop taking it prior to extraction?

[JMAc69]

I understood if it’s a simple extraction there was no need to stop taking Rivaroxaban.

[Finvola]

Talk to your dentist who knows your medical history. I take Apixaban and have had 2 large extractions without stopping it. One was planned and was done first thing in the morning so that I could delay my morning dose. The other was an emergency smash and grab in the middle of the day so I was four hours into my first dose - I had no bleeding problems with either one.

Best wishes.

[JMAc69 in reply to Finvola]

My dentist has asked me to get advice from my GP but my doctor is away and I don’t have any faith in anyone else at the practice! Thanks for sharing your experience, I’m hopeful I won’t need to stop taking my medication.

[Finvola in reply to JMAc69]

You might find these two publications helpful

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

southernguidelines.hscni.ne...

[JMAc69 in reply to Finvola]

Thank you

[johnMiosh in reply to Finvola]

My dentist refused point blank to do a wisdom extraction while I was anticoagulated. I had to make an appointment with the Maxilofacial department of the local hospital. The Head of Department there was scathing about the competence of typical "cosmetic dentists". On the plus side, he was good at his job and it was free.

I mentioned to him the issue with adrenalin injections and he explained that the adrenaline "holds the anaesthetic to the tooth". For AF and other heart patients, he uses less adrenaline, but not adrenaline-free, which he said would be counter-productive. He didn't use adrenaline-free as it was the adrenaline that binds the anaesthetic to the tooth. He said the extra pain from using adrenaline-free would be more of a trigger for AF than the adrenaline. He used a lower level of adrenaline than normal (by mixing adrenaline-free and normal. I had no problems, either with the extraction or AF.

[Finvola in reply to johnMiosh]

Irritating for you, John but glad you got it done. I've had both extractions done with adrenaline free injections but with the proviso that if I have pain, back up may be needed - none was fortunately.

[Caro57]

Seek advice from your dentist - also check if you need antibiotic cover

[DGET1]

I have had several extractions, and a couple of weeks ago had two dental implants fitted without stopping Apixaban, just delayed morning dose, with no bleeding 🙂.

I do think though that dentists and even doctors dont seem to know what to do about anti coags, both of mine couldnt give me a definite answer, and this made me lose confidence in my implantologist, but I was happy staying on meds.

Stroke versus bleed, well I'd rather deal with bleed, which luckily didnt happen.

[DGET1]

I also had Adrenalin in my anaesthetic at my request, otherwise it wears off too quickly. I took a beta blocker prio ( pip) to injections, and I had quite a lot for implants. No AF though🙂

[Tapanac]

I had a molar out when I was on rivaroxaban and I just had to stop on the morning of the procedure. However as I took my anticoagulant with my evening meal, it didn’t affect me. Good luck.

[Gunnersawus]

I go to my dentist a lot and she has never advised me to stop taking Rivaroxaban prior to treatment but she is aware that I will bleed easily and a lot due to being on it. I am aware of possible complications with losing blood quickly if I am injured etc but I would rather take that small risk and continue to protect myself from a possible stroke. Hope this helps.

[Georgeedgar]

Yes I've had teeth removed and my dentist told me rivoxaban was not a problem for him.He said Warfarin would have been a different story though.

[JMAc69 in reply to Georgeedgar]

Thank you, my doctor was unhelpful and said it was up to my dentist!