PRADAXA (DABIGATRAN ETEXILATE)

Pradaxa Description

Pradaxa capsules contain the active ingredient Dabigatran Etexilate, which is a type of medicine known as a direct thrombin inhibitor. Pradaxa stops the formation of fibrin, the essential component of blood clots. Pradaxa can therefore prevent blood clots from developing. Pradaxa comes as an oral capsule that should be swallowed whole with or without food. You will need a valid prescription to purchase Pradaxa.

Pradaxa and Blood Clots

Your doctor may prescribe Pradaxa medication if you have been blood clots or if you are likely to develop them. Blood clotting is a normal function that occurs when you have an injury. If you scrape your skin, blood clots at the site of the injury so you don’t lose too much blood. Sometimes a clot will form inside a blood vessel (an artery or a vein) even when there is no injury. Clots can also fail to dissolve after an injury has healed. Either of these situations can cause serious complications if not discovered and treated.

A blood clot can form in any blood vessel in your body. It can end up in the lungs, heart, brain, and other locations if it breaks away and travels through the blood. These migrations can lead to serious complications as the clot disrupts the flow of blood to important organs. Lack of blood flow to the brain or the heart can cause a stroke or a heart attack which can be fatal.

Blood clots can be treated with blood thinning medications, but it is better to prevent them from forming in the first place. You may be at risk for forming a blood clot if you: are over 60 years old; are obese; are taking oral contraceptives; are a smoker; have a family history of clotting disorders; have a chronic inflammatory condition.

Pradaxa may be prescribed to decrease the risk of stroke and blood clots in patients with a serious heart rhythm problem called non-valvular atrial fibrillation. Pradaxa medication may also be prescribed to prevent dangerous blood clots in adults who have undergone total hip or knee replacement surgery.

Before You Take Pradaxa

Pradaxa medication is not meant for people with artificial heart valves, or for those who still have active bleeding from surgery or injury. Before starting this medication, you should tell your doctor whether you have kidney disease, or if you have a gastrointestinal ulcer, or if are taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that increase the risk for gastrointestinal bleeding.

Pradaxa Precautions

Even minor injuries can lead to excessive blood loss while taking Praxada; so be sure to take extra precautions to avoid injuries during treatment with Pradaxa.

Several medications are known to interact with Pradaxa, including certain medical abortion pills and other anti-coagulants. Do not take these or any drugs unless instructed by your doctor. Do not stop taking Pradaxa until you have been advised to do so by your doctor.

Possible Pradaxa Side Effects

• Easy bruising
• Nosebleeds
• Stomach pain
• Heartburn
• Indigestion