Pradaxa Blood Thinner: Anticoagulant for Stroke and DVT Prevention.

What is Pradaxa?

Pradaxa (dabigatran) belongs to a class of anticoagulants known as direct thrombin inhibitors. Dabigatran prevents blood clots from developing in the body.

Pradaxa is used to treat deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) in individuals who have received blood thinners via injection for 5 to 10 days.

Pradaxa is used to treat blood clots in children aged 3 months to less than 18 years old who have had at least 5 days of injectable blood thinner.

Pradaxa is used to reduce the chance of a blood clot returning following therapy for blood clots in adults and children aged 3 months to less than 18 years old.Pradaxa is also used following hip replacement surgery to prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE).

Pradaxa Blood Thinner: Effective Stroke and Clot Prevention

Pradaxa is a widely prescribed anticoagulant used to prevent stroke and blood clots in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation. It is also effective in treating and preventing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). Pradaxa offers a convenient alternative to traditional blood thinners like warfarin, as it does not require routine blood monitoring or dietary restrictions. This medication helps reduce the risk of life-threatening clot-related conditions.

How Pradaxa Works

Pradaxa works by inhibiting thrombin, an enzyme involved in blood clot formation. By blocking this clotting factor, Pradaxa helps prevent the formation of dangerous clots in the bloodstream. It is typically prescribed for patients with atrial fibrillation to lower the risk of stroke or embolism. Pradaxa is taken orally, usually twice a day, and provides consistent anticoagulation without the need for frequent INR testing, unlike older blood thinners.

How should I take Pradaxa?

Take Pradaxa exactly as directed by your doctor. Follow the recommendations on your prescription label and read any drug guidelines or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally adjust your dosage.

Children and teenagers are given doses based on their weight. If your child gains or loses weight, their dosage may change.

Take the Pradaxa capsule with a full glass of water. You can take this capsule with or without food.

If Pradaxa capsules cause stomach distress, take them with meals. Swallow the Pradaxa capsule whole, without crushing, chewing, breaking, or opening it. Give Pradaxa oral pellets before a meal to ensure that your child gets the complete dose.

You can also mix the pellets with apple juice or soft food at room temperature. Do not combine oral pellets with any other foods, milk, milk products, or liquids.

Mixed medicine should be used immediately, or within 30 minutes of mixing. Do not administer this medication with a syringe or through a feeding tube.

This medication can also make it easier to bleed, even after a minor injury like a fall or a whack on the head. If you fall or hit your head, or if you have bleeding that won’t stop, call your doctor or an emergency medical service.

Your kidney function may need to be examined regularly.

Your doctor will tell you how long you should take Pradaxa. Do not change your dose or discontinue this medicine without your doctor’s approval. Stopping abruptly increases the risk of blood clots or stroke.

Inform any doctor who treats you that you are on Pradaxa. If you require surgery or dental work, notify the surgeon or dentist ahead of time that you are taking this medicine. If you require anesthesia for a medical procedure or surgery, you may need to temporarily discontinue your Pradaxa treatment.

If your kid does not finish all of the Pradaxa oral pellets, do not administer another dosage at that time and return to the regular schedule.

Avoid opening more than one bottle of Pradaxa capsules at a time. Only open a new container after all of the capsules in the previous bottle have been used.

Keep Pradaxa capsules tightly closed at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. Keep the capsules in their original container or blister pack until you’re ready to take the medication. Do not store Pradaxa capsules in a pillbox or pill organizer.

If you haven’t used any Pradaxa capsules in more than four months, throw them away.Keep Pradaxa oral pellets at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. Keep the medicine in its original silver metal bag and do not open until you are ready to use it. Use the oral pellets within six months of opening the metal bag.

Pradaxa Dosing information

Usual Adult Dose of Pradaxa for Deep Vein Thrombosis — Prophylaxis:

Recommended doses: 150 mg orally twice a day.

Usual Adult Dose for Prevention of Thromboembolism in Atrial Fibrillation:

Recommended doses: 150 mg orally twice a day

Uses: Reduces the risk of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation; treats deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in patients who have received parenteral anticoagulation for 5 to 10 days; reduces the risk of recurrence of deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in patients who have previously received treatment.

Usual Adult Dose of Pradaxa for Deep Vein Thrombosis/Pulmonary Embolism Prophylaxis Following Hip Replacement Surgery:

110 mg orally 1 to 4 hours after surgery and once hemostasis has been reached, then 220 mg orally once a day for 28 to 35 days.

Comments: If this medicine is not begun on the day of operation, begin treatment with 220 mg orally once a day after hemostasis is established.

Use: To prevent DVT and PE in adult patients who have undergone hip replacement surgery.

Usual Pediatric Dose of Pradaxa for Venous Thromboembolism:

Weigh-based dosage:
-11 kg to less than 16 kg: 75 mg twice daily
-16 kg to less than 26 kg: 110 mg twice daily
-26 kg to less than 41 kg: 150 mg twice daily
-41 mg to less than 61 kg: 185 mg twice daily
-61 kg to 81 kg: 220 mg twice daily
-81 kg or greater: 260 mg twice daily

Comments: -For youngsters aged 8 and up who can take capsules.
-Treatment for VTE should begin after a minimum of 5 days of parenteral anticoagulation. To reduce VTE recurrence, begin treatment after previous treatment.
-Concurrent therapy of this medicine with P-gb inhibitors has not been evaluated in children, and it may increase exposure to the drug.

Uses: – Treats venous thromboembolic events (VTE) in pediatric patients aged 8 and up who have been on a parenteral anticoagulant for at least 5 days.
-To minimize the incidence of recurrent VTE in pediatric patients aged 8 and up who have previously been treated.

Warnings

Pradaxa can make you bleed more easily. Call your doctor right away if you have bleeding gums, nosebleeds, heavy menstrual periods or abnormal vaginal bleeding, blood in your urine, bloody or tarry stools, or coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.

Many different medications can raise your risk of bleeding when combined with dabigatran. Tell your doctor about all medications you’ve lately taken.

Pradaxa can cause a serious blood clot around your spinal cord if you have a spinal tap or receive spinal anesthesia (epidural), especially if you have a genetic spinal defect, have a spinal catheter in place, have a history of spinal surgery or repeated spinal taps, or are taking other blood clotting-affecting medications. This sort of blood clot can cause long-term or permanent paralysis.

If you have signs of a spinal cord blood clot, such as back discomfort, numbness or muscle weakness in your lower body, or loss of bladder or bowel control, call 911 immediately. Don’t stop taking Pradaxa without first consulting your doctor. Stopping abruptly can enhance your risk of blood clot or stroke.

Benefits and Side Effects of Pradaxa

Pradaxa offers a number of benefits, including stroke and clot prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation, DVT, or PE. One of its advantages over traditional anticoagulants is the lack of dietary restrictions and fewer drug interactions. However, like all anticoagulants, Pradaxa may increase the risk of bleeding, including serious internal bleeding. Other side effects may include stomach upset, heartburn, or allergic reactions. Patients should follow their doctor’s guidance for safe use.