Rivaroxaban is used for: Preventing and treating blood clots in certain patients. It is also used to reduce the risk of stroke and serious blood clots in certain patients with atrial fibrillation. Rivaroxaban is also used to treat and prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which can lead to blood clots in the lungs (pulmonary embolism). Rivaroxaban is a direct factor Xa inhibitor. It works by blocking the formation of blood clots.