Why is Pradaxa prescribed?

Pradaxa (Dabigatran Etexilate) is used to prevent stroke and harmful blood clots if you have a certain type of irregular heartbeat called atrial fibrillation. Dabigatran is an anticoagulant that works by blocking a certain substance (a clotting protein called thrombin) in your blood. This helps to keep blood flowing smoothly in your body. Dabigatran is also used to treat blood clots in the veins of your legs (DVT) or lungs and to reduce the risk of them occurring again. This medication may also be used to prevent these blood clots from forming after hip replacement surgery. Dabigatran should not be used to prevent blood clots from forming after artificial heart valve replacement. If you have had heart valve surgery, talk to your doctor about the best medication for you. Do not stop taking any medication, including dabigatran, without talking to your doctor first. Dabigatran (Generic) is available in addition to the brand name Pradaxa. 

What is the most effective way to take Pradaxa?

Take Pradaxa exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets.

• Take this medicine with a full glass of water. You may take Pradaxa with or without food.
• Swallow the capsule whole and do not crush, chew, break, or open it.
• Because Pradaxa keeps your blood from coagulating (clotting) to prevent unwanted blood clots, this medicine can also make it easier for you to bleed, even from a minor injury such as a fall or a bump on the head. Contact your doctor or seek emergency medical attention if you fall or hit your head, or have any bleeding that will not stop.
• If you need surgery, dental work, or any type of medical test or treatment, tell the doctor or dentist ahead of time if you have taken Pradaxa within the past 12 hours.
• Your kidney function may need to be checked before and during treatment with Pradaxa.
• Do not stop taking Pradaxa without your doctor's advice. Stopping the medication can increase your risk of stroke.
• If you have received more than a 30-day supply of this medication, do not open more than one bottle at a time. Open a new bottle only after all the capsules in the old bottle are gone.
• Store at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. Keep each capsule in the bottle or blister pack until you are ready to take the medicine.
• Keep the capsules in their original container or blister pack. Do not put Pradaxa capsules into a daily pill box or pill organizer.
• Throw away any unused capsules if it has been longer than 4 months since you first opened the bottle. Capsules stored in a blister pack should be thrown away after the expiration date on the label has passed.

Before taking dabigatran,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to dabigatran, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in dabigatran capsules. Ask your pharmacist or check the Medication Guide for a list of the ingredients.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: dronedarone (Multaq), ketoconazole (Nizoral), and rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, in Rifamate, in Rifater). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
• tell your doctor if you have had a valve in your heart replaced or if you have recently noticed any unusual bruising or bleeding. Your doctor probably will tell you not to take dabigatran.
• tell your doctor if you are 75 years of age or older; if you have or have ever had a bleeding problem, bleeding or an ulcer in your stomach or intestine; or kidney disease.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking dabigatran, call your doctor. Taking dabigatran may increase the risk that you will experience severe bleeding during labor and delivery.
• if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking dabigatran.

Common Pradaxa side effects may include:

• stomach pain
• indigestion
• nausea or diarrhea

Get emergency medical help if:

• you have signs of an allergic reaction to Pradaxa - including hives; pain or tight feeling in your chest, wheezing, difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat
• you have symptoms of a spinal blood clot - including back pain, numbness or muscle weakness in your lower body, or loss of bladder or bowel control

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• bleeding that will not stop
• headache, weakness, or dizziness
• easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin
• blood in your urine or stools, black or tarry stools
• cough with bloody mucus or vomit that looks like coffee grounds
• pink or brown urine
• joint pain or swelling
• heavy menstrual bleeding

Q: Why is Pradaxa prescribed?

A: This medication helps prevent the formation of blood clots

Q: What lifestyle changes should I make while taking Pradaxa?

A: Avoid activities that may increase your risk of bleeding or injury. Use extra care to prevent bleeding while shaving or brushing your teeth. Also, avoid alcohol. Heavy drinking can increase your risk of stomach bleeding.

Q: Does Pradaxa have a generic alternative?

A: Yes, Dabigatran (Generic) is available for purchase.

Q: Are there any major cautions I should be aware of?

A: Dabigatran can cause a very serious blood clot around your spinal cord if you undergo a spinal tap or receive spinal anesthesia (epidural). See the Cautions section for more. 

Q: What if I miss a dose of Pradaxa?

A: You should take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if you remember the missed dose less than 6 hours before your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.