Pradaxa and/or Equivalents

Pradaxa

Pradaxa Description

Pradaxa is a blood-thinning (anticoagulant) prescription medicine. It is used for preventing blood clots and stroke in people who have a particular type of irregular pulse known as atrial fibrillation. Pradaxa inhibits thrombin activity. Thrombin is a naturally orccuring protein in the human body, and is responsible for clot formation. Pradaxa, as an effective thrombin inhibitor, lowers the chances of blood clots. Clinical studies have proved that Pradaxa is more effective as an anticoagulant compared to warfarin. One study showed that 3.4% of patients who took warfarin suffered from a stroke or blood clot; whereas only 2.2% of patients who took Pradaxa had a blood clot or stroke.

Conditions Treated by Pradaxa

Pradaxa is recommended for preventing strokes and blood clots in people who have atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation is a rapid, irregular heart rhythm caused due to abnormal electric impulses in the upper chambers (called atria) of the heart. Pradaxa is forbidden if atrial fibrillation results from heart valve disease. Also it has not been approved for children under 18. Atrial fibrillation is characterized by irregular heart beat and abnormal heart rate. It may lead to a blood clot or/and stroke. Pradaxa helps in treating atrial fibrillation by preventing the formation of blood clots. It also fixes the fundamental causes of abnormal heart rhythm. Other than atrial fibrillation, Pradaxa is also used to treat other conditions. Such alternative uses are termed as off-label uses. Some of the off-label uses are lowering the chances of blood clot in lungs (technically called pulmonary embolism). It is also used to treat the same. Additionally, Pradaxa is used in the prevention or treatment of blood clots in people suffering from cancer.

Pradaxa Dosage information

a.) Typical dosage recommendations

The dosage of Pradaxa recommended by your healthcare provider will vary. It depends on whether your kidneys are working right. The dose also depends on other medications you may be taking. You must not make adjustments to your dose without consulting your healthcare provider. Typically, for people whose kidneys are functioning normally, the recommended Pradaxa dosage is 150mg twice a day. In case of reduced kidney function, the dosage is 75mg to be taken twice a day. Pradaxa is not approved for people whose kidneys work very poorly. People who have been put on dronedarone (Multaq) or ketoconazole may also take Pradaxa. The recommended dose is 75mg to be taken twice daily. If you want to switch to Pradaxa from warfarin, then stop taking the latter. Start taking Pradaxa only after your blood tests confirm that your International Normalized Ration (INR) has fallen below 2.0.

b.) Missing a dose

In case you have missed your scheduled dose, take it immediately. But be sure your next dose is at least six hours away. If not, then wait until then to take the medication and drop the missed dose. It is recommended that you consult your healthcare provider if you miss a dose/s. They will give you the instructions specific to your physical condition.

c.) Overdosing

Overdosing on Pradaxa can have potentially harmful effects. One of the most dangerous consequences is bleeding. It includes both obvious and relatively less obvious bleeding. Obvious bleeding takes place in the form of nosebleeds, blood vomiting. It may also take place through stools. Less obvious bleeding occurs in the form of internal bleeding. There are various symptoms associated with overdose of Pradaxa. They include bruising, bleeding cuts, gastrointestinal bleeding i.e. blood vomiting and blood flow in stool. Bleeding may also occur in the brain (this is called hemorrhagic stroke). Its signs include changes in vision or/and speech, weakness in limbs, and severe headache. In order to treat the overdose-induced bleeding, a platelet or blood transfer is given. This helps to regain the blood's ability to coagulate.

Pradaxa Warnings

One of the potentially fatal side-effects of Pradaxa is internal bleeding. This medicine must not be given to patients with active bleeding. The risk of bleeding increases manifold if Pradaxa is given to women in labor. The risk is also amplified if Pradaxa is taken with other medications that may cause bleeding. If you notice any signs of obvious or internal bleeding, visit your healthcare provider immediately. If you are going to have an elective surgery, then you must stop Pradaxa. But whatever maybe the reason, you can not stop this medication for too long. Otherwise, your chances of having a stroke increase drastically. Also, you must not start or stop this medication without consulting your healthcare provider. Pradaxa belongs to the Category C of pregnancy medication. This means that it has not been established whether this drug will harm the unborn baby. However, Pradaxa might cause heavy bleeding in labor.

Pradaxa Side Effects

One of the common side-effects of Pradaxa is gastrointestinal problems. These problems are characterized by pain or discomfort in the abdomen, indigestion (commonly called heartburn), ulcers (sores) on the lining of the digestive tract. Pradaxa may also result in Gastroesphageal Reflux Disease (GERD). Pradaxa may also lead to bleeding. The magnitude of bleeding varies. 0.3% of people who took this medication reported bleeding in the brain. Up to 1.5% experienced potentially fatal bleeding, while up to 3.3% of people taking Pradaxa suffered from severe bleeding. If you notice any signs of bleeding you must visit your healthcare provider without delay. The most common signs of bleeding are sudden bruising, blood in the urine or/and stool, nosebleeds, bleeding gums and cuts, low B.P, heavy periods (Menorrhagia), coughing up and/or vomiting blood.

Pradaxa Drug Interactions

Drug interaction means a situation when effects of a drug are changed by the presence of another drug. Let us discuss Pradaxa-interactions with the following drugs.

Dronedarone

This drug slows down the removal of Pradaxa from the body. As a result, the risk of bleeding is amplified. You must not take Dronedarone with Pradaxa without consulting your healthcare provider. They will ascertain your chances of bleeding and may reduce Pradaxa dosage.

Ketoconazole

It is a P-glycoprotein inhibitor that may increase the amount of Pradaxa in your body when taken orally. Your healthcare provider may reduce your dosage of Pradaxa to balance out this effect.

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Notice: The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Pradaxa and/or Equivalents warnings, side-effects and general information