How It Works
Dabigatran is an anticoagulant, also called a blood thinner. It prevents blood clots and keeps blood clots from getting bigger. It is a type of anticoagulant that keeps thrombin from making a blood clot. Thrombin is a substance (enzyme) in the bloodstream that is needed for blood to clot.
How Well It Works
Dabigatran lowers the risk of stroke in people who have atrial fibrillation.
How much your risk
for a stroke will be lowered depends on how high your risk was to start with. Not everyone
who has atrial fibrillation has the same risk of stroke. It's a good idea to talk
with your doctor about your risk.
You will want to weigh the
benefits of reducing your risk of stroke against the risks of taking
dabigatran. Dabigatran can help prevent stroke. But this medicine also
raises the risk of bleeding. Each year about 3 out of 100 people who take
dabigatran have a problem with severe bleeding.2 Your own risk of bleeding may be higher or
lower than average, based on your own health.
Side Effects
All medicines have side effects. But many people don't feel the side effects, or they are able to deal with them. Ask your pharmacist about the side effects of each medicine you take. Side effects are also listed in the information that comes with your medicine.
Here are some important things to think about:
- Usually the benefits of the medicine are more important than any minor side effects.
- Side effects may go away after you take the medicine for a while.
- If side effects still bother you and you wonder if you should keep taking the medicine, call your doctor. He or she may be able to lower your dose or change your medicine. Do not suddenly quit taking your medicine unless your doctor tells you to.
Bleeding
Call 911 or other emergency services right away for signs of serious bleeding:
- You cough up blood.
- You vomit blood or what looks like coffee grounds.
- You pass maroon or very bloody stools.
- You have a sudden, severe headache that is different from past headaches. (It may be a sign of bleeding in the brain.)
Call your doctor right away if you have unusual bleeding such as:
- You have new bruises or blood spots under your skin.
- You have a nosebleed that doesn't stop quickly.
- Your gums bleed when you brush your teeth.
- You have blood in your urine.
- You have heavy period bleeding or vaginal bleeding when you are not having your period.
If you are injured, apply pressure to stop the bleeding. Realize that it
will take longer than you are used to for the bleeding to stop. If you can't get the bleeding to stop, call your doctor.
Allergic reaction
Call 911 or other emergency services right away if you have:
- Trouble breathing.
- Hives.
- Swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Less serious side effects of this medicine include:
- Stomach upset.
- Stomach pain.
Dabigatran is a newer medicine, so doctors do not yet know if it has any other long-term side effects.
See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)
What To Think About
Dabigatran may be a good choice if you cannot take warfarin safely or you have having bleeding problems with warfarin. But dabigatran costs a lot more than warfarin.
Dabigatran works differently from warfarin to prevent blood clots. So some of the precautions and safety tips for dabigatran are different from those for warfarin. Like warfarin, you need to take extra steps to prevent bleeding. But unlike warfarin, you do not need regular blood tests and you do not need to watch how much vitamin K you eat or drink.
Take extra steps to prevent bleeding problems such as:
- Prevent falls and injuries.
- Tell your doctors about all other medicines and vitamins that you take.
- Know
what to do if you miss a dose of anticoagulant.
- Before any surgery or medical or dental procedure, talk to your doctor about whether you need to stop taking dabigatran for a short time beforehand.
Taking medicine
Medicine is one of the many tools your doctor has to treat a health problem. Taking medicine as your doctor suggests will improve your health and may prevent future problems. If you don't take your medicines properly, you may be putting your health (and perhaps your life) at risk.
There are many reasons why people have trouble taking their medicine. But in most cases, there is something you can do. For suggestions on how to work around common problems, see the topic Taking Medicines as Prescribed.
Advice for women
If you are pregnant, breast-feeding, or planning to get pregnant, do not use any medicines unless your doctor tells you to. Some medicines can harm your baby. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, herbs, and supplements. And make sure that all your doctors know that you are pregnant, breast-feeding, or planning to get pregnant.
Checkups
Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.
Complete the new medication information form (PDF)(What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.
References
Citations
- Wann LS, et al. (2011). 2011 ACCF/AHA/HRS focused updated on the management of patients with atrial fibrillation (update on dabigatran): A report of the American College of Cardiology Foundation/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines. Circulation, 123(10): 1144–1150.
- Dabigatran etexilate (Pradaxa)—A new oral anticoagulant (2010). Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics, 52(1351): 89–90.
Credits
| By | Healthwise Staff |
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| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD, MD - Family Medicine |
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| Specialist Medical Reviewer | E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine |
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| Last Revised | January 31, 2011 |
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Wann LS, et al. (2011). 2011 ACCF/AHA/HRS focused updated on the management of patients with atrial fibrillation (update on dabigatran): A report of the American College of Cardiology Foundation/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines. Circulation, 123(10): 1144–1150.
Dabigatran etexilate (Pradaxa)—A new oral anticoagulant (2010). Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics, 52(1351): 89–90.
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