How do you say Xarelto? (Pronunciation Series Episode 65)

This is the 65th episode in my drug pronunciation series. In this episode, I divide Xarelto and rivaroxaban into syllables, tell you which syllables to emphasize, and share my sources. The written pronunciations are below and in the show notes on https://www.thepharmacistsvoice.com.

 

Note: we don't cover pharmacology in this series. Just pronunciations. The FULL show notes are available at https://www.thepharmacistsvoice.com/podcast. 

 

Xarelto = zah-REL-toe

• zah, like the end of the word, "pizza"
• REL - like relish (which is a hot dog topping)
• toe - like the toes on your feet
• Emphasize REL
• Source for the written pronunciation = medication guide for Xarelto on the FDA's website (accessed Sept 30, 2025) 
• Source for the spoken pronunciation = drugs.com or m-w.com (accessed 9-30-25)

 

Rivaroxaban = RIV-a-ROX-a-ban or RIV-uh-ROCKS-uh-ban

• RIV, like river
• a, which is a short "A" sound ("uh")
• ROX, like rocks in a riverbed
• a, which is that short "A" sound again ("uh")
• ban, like something that is prohibited
• Emphasize RIV and ROX. ROX gets more emphasis than RIV. 
• Source for the written pronunciation is USP Dictionary Online and MedlinePlus.gov
• Source for the spoken pronunciation = https://www.drugs.com/mtm/rivaroxaban.html

 

Thank for listening to the 65th episode in my drug pronunciation series!

 

If you'd like to recommend a drug name for this series, please reach out through the contact form on my website, thepharmacistsvoice.com.

 

If you know someone who would like to learn how to say Xarelto and rivaroxaban, please share this episode with them. Subscribe for all future episodes. This podcast is on all major podcast players and YouTube. Popular links are below. ⬇️

 

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Host Background: Kim Newlove has been an Ohio pharmacist since 2001 (BS Pharm, Chem Minor). Her experience includes hospital, retail, compounding, and behavioral health. She is also an author, voice actor (medical narrator and audiobook narrator), podcast host, and consultant (audio production and podcasting). 

 

Other episodes in this series

The Pharmacist's Voice Podcast Episode 349, Pronunciation Series Episode 64 (acetaminophen)

The Pharmacist's Voice Podcast Episode 348, Pronunciation Series Episode 63 (Welchol/colesevelam)

The Pharmacist's Voice Podcast Episode 346, Pronunciation Series Episode 62 (valacyclovir)

The Pharmacist's Voice Podcast Episode 343, Pronunciation Series Episode 61 (ubrogepant)

The Pharmacist's Voice Podcast Episode 341, Pronunciation Series Episode 60 (topiramate)

The Pharmacist's Voice Podcast Episode 339, Pronunciation Series Episode 59 (Suboxone)

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