Pradaxa

Common use

Pradaxa is used to treat blood clots deep in the body (deep vein thrombosis, DVT) and lungs (pulmonary embolism, PE) in adults who have received blood thinners by injection for 5 to 10 days and also used after hip replacement surgery to prevent a blood clot deep in the body. Pradaxa is also used to lower the risk of stroke and blood clots in adults with atrial fibrillation (a heart rhythm disorder). This medicine is used when the atrial fibrillation is not caused by a heart valve problem.

Dosage and direction

Take Pradaxa exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Take Pradaxa capsule with a full glass of water. You may take this capsule with or without food. Take with food if Pradaxa capsules upset your stomach. Swallow the Pradaxa capsule whole and do not crush, chew, break, or open it.

Precautions

To make sure Pradaxa is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had: a genetic spinal defect; a thin tube (catheter) placed in your back to give you certain medicine; a history of problems with your spine or a spinal surgery; a history of difficult or repeated spinal taps; bleeding problems; a stomach ulcer or bleeding in your stomach or intestines; take certain other medicines that can increase bleeding risk; antiphospholipid syndrome, an immune system disorder that increases the risk of blood clots; plan for surgery, or a medical or a dental procedure; or kidney disease.
It is not known if dabigatran will harm an unborn baby. Taking Pradaxa during pregnancy may cause bleeding in the mother or the unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. You should not breastfeed while taking dabigatran.

Contraindications

You should not take Pradaxa if you are allergic to dabigatran, or if you have: a mechanical prosthetic heart valve; or active bleeding from a surgery, injury, or other cause.
Dabigatran can cause a serious blood clot if you undergo a procedure such as a spinal tap or receive spinal anesthesia (epidural). This type of blood clot could cause permanent or long-term paralysis.

Possible side effect

Common Pradaxa side effects include: stomach pain or discomfort; upset stomach, burning; bleeding; heavy menstrual bleeding; or nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.

Drug interaction

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines. Many drugs can interact with dabigatran, especially: dronedarone; rifampin; ketoconazole; medicine used to prevent blood clots - enoxaparin, warfarin, heparin, clopidogrel, dipyridamole, prasugrel, and others; or NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) - aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others.

Missed dose

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if your next dose is due in less than 6 hours. Do not use two doses at one time.

Overdose

Seek emergency medical attention. An overdose may cause excessive bleeding.

Storage

Store Pradaxa capsules tightly closed at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. Keep the capsules in the original container or blister pack until you are ready to take the medicine. Keep away from children and pets.