Dabigatran is an anticoagulant (thrombin inhibitor) that helps prevent the formation of blood clots.
Dabigatran is used to prevent blood clots and to reduce the risk of stroke in people with heart rhythm disorder called atrial fibrillation (when it is not caused by a heart valve problem).
Dabigatran is also used to treat or prevent blood clots in the veins of your legs (deep vein thrombosis, or DVT), or the veins in your lungs (pulmonary embolism, or PE).
Dabigatran may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What are the available dosage forms and strengths?
Capsule
What is Dabigatran (Pradaxa) and how does it work?
Dabigatran is an anticoagulant (thrombin inhibitor) that helps prevent the formation of blood clots.
Dabigatran is used to prevent blood clots and to reduce the risk of stroke in people with heart rhythm disorder called atrial fibrillation (when it is not caused by a heart valve problem).
Dabigatran is also used to treat or prevent blood clots in the veins of your legs (deep vein thrombosis, or DVT), or the veins in your lungs (pulmonary embolism, or PE).
Dabigatran may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
How should you take Dabigatran (Pradaxa)?
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use exactly as directed by your healthcare provider.
Take dabigatran with or without food, usually twice daily.
Do not crush, chew, break, or open a dabigatran capsule. Swallow the pill whole with a full glass of water.
Do not stop taking dabigatran without your doctor’s advice. Stopping the medication can increase your risk of stroke. Your doctor may recommend another medication to prevent blood clots if you need to stop taking dabigatran.
Keep the capsules in their original container or blister pack. Do not put dabigatran capsules into a daily pill box or pill organizer.
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.
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.
If you miss a dose and you are less than 6 hours late in taking your medicine, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Try not to miss any doses of dabigatran to best prevent a stroke.
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 bottle tightly closed when not in use.
Who should not take Dabigatran (Pradaxa)?
Do not take dabigatran if you:
currently have abnormal bleeding
are allergic to the medicine or its ingredients
are scheduled for a surgical procedure (discuss with your doctor)
have, had or plan to have a valve in your heart replaced
What to avoid while taking Dabigatran (Pradaxa)?
Avoid activities that may increase your risk of bleeding or injury. Use extra care to prevent bleeding while shaving or brushing your teeth.
Avoid alcohol. Heavy drinking can increase your risk of stomach bleeding.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before using Dabigatran (Pradaxa)?
You should not take dabigatran if you have an artificial heart valve, or if you have any active bleeding from a surgery, injury, or other cause.
Dabigatran may cause you to bleed more easily, especially if:
you have a stomach ulcer
you have recent or recurring bleeding in your stomach or intestines
you have kidney disease (especially if you also take dronedarone or ketoconazole)
you take certain other medicines that can increase bleeding risk, such as aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), heparin, prasugrel, warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven)
you take an NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug) on a regular basis, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others
you are older than 75
It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Taking Pradaxa may increase your risk of severe bleeding during labor and delivery.
It is not known whether dabigatran passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
What are the possible side effects of Dabigatran (Pradaxa)?
Call your doctor at once or seek immediate medical help if you have any of the following signs or symptoms:
have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue
any unexpected, severe, or uncontrollable bleeding; or bleeding that lasts a long time
unusual or unexpected bruising
coughing up or vomiting blood; or vomit that looks like coffee grounds
pink or brown urine; red or black stools (looks like tar)
unexpected pain, swelling, or joint pain
headaches and feeling dizzy or weak
have symptoms of a spinal cord blood clot such as back pain, numbness or muscle weakness in your lower body, or loss of bladder or bowel control
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.
Common side effects may include:
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
What other drugs interact with Dabigatran (Pradaxa)?
Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially other medicines used to treat or prevent blood clots, such as:
abciximab, clopidogrel, dipyridamole, eptifibatide, ticlopidine, tirofiban
alteplase, reteplase, tenecteplase, urokinase
apixaban, argatroban, bivalirudin, desirudin, lepirudin, rivaroxaban
dalteparin, enoxaparin, heparin, tinzaparin
Before you take dabigatran, tell your doctor if you also take any of the following:
dronedarone (Multaq)
ketoconazole (Nizoral)
rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, Rofact, in Rifamate, in Rifater)
antacids
St. John's wort
This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect this medication, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, recreational and herbal products.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention
Where can I get more information about Dabigatran (Pradaxa)?
If you have any questions about buying discount Dabigatran (Pradaxa) or any other prescription products online, you can contact us.
