Abstract
Rivaroxaban is an oral factor Xa inhibitor used to prevent venous thromboembolism after total hip or knee replacement. The first dose is given 6–10 hours after surgery, once haemostasis is established, because of postoperative bleeding risk. At the 10 mg dose, oral bioavailability is already high (80–100%); therefore, improved systemic exposure from a transdermal formulation cannot be assumed.
Transethosomes contain phospholipid, ethanol, and an edge activator and have shown potential to enhance skin permeation of other drugs. For rivaroxaban, sufficient skin flux and systemic exposure must be demonstrated experimentally.
