My ablation was cancelled last thursday as my INR was 3.5. This is the THIRD time it has been cancelled, first time due to stomach bug, second time due to tooth abcess.
Anyway the cardiologist wants me to go on Pradaxa instead of Warfarin. Is anyone else on it or have any opinions?
I am on Pradaxa taking 150mg in the morning and 150mg at night, been on it for about a year but as I am out of the UK I have never been on warfarin. I went through the US a few weeks back and I see it is getting a bad press on the television (Bad drug something or other). I haven't had any problems with it and I eat and drink what I like. Mind you if I drink too much then I tend to get Diarrhoea for a bit, but it also may be due to the cocktail of medicines I take
My GP has just 5 minutes ago told me he doesn't think he is allowed to prescribe it for me! He has sent an email off to a prescribing commitee to ask.
Hi Andy,
Oh, you must be so frustrated with your ablation being cancelled 
I've been on Pradaxa for over a year and I am really happy on it. For me it was the right choice. It has superior stroke prevention to warfarin. There is a lot of brouhaha about the fact that it has no reversal agent. It has a very short half life and clears the body quickly. Even warfarin does not clear instantly with the reversal agent. I hope you can get it if that is what your cardiologist and you both want! Here in the U.S. most insurances seem to be covering it without a problem. Hopefully your appeal to the prescribing committee will have a good result. Thinking good thoughts for you.
I too have been on it for the past 9 months since suffering a TIA following an AF episode. No problems whatsoever. Easy to take and no restrictions with drinking and eating. I did not want to go on warfarin with all the INR issues and wondering whether you are actually anti coagulated. Take 150mg twice a day. I'm from UK so you will find that some medics will try to put you off it as its expensive. I certainly made the right choice!
I'm in the UK and recently started on Warfarin. My cardiologist gave me a free choice to take one of the alternatives instead but the main argument he used against doing so was that warfarin was tried and tested, in use for many decades and despite the INR issue the fact is that the huge majority of folk on it have no problems whatsoever. "Give it a couple of years and lets see what the alternatives look like then" was his advice. I reached therapeutic range very quickly and am stable on warfarin. I'm content but certainly keeping an eye on anything that makes life that bit easier.
Been on Pradaxa for last 3 months preparing for ablation. Not had any probs with it once I realised that the morning dose wa best taken with breakfast to avoid any gastric grumbling! Had to work on my GP to get it and he had to argue my case with the rest of his practice but successfully! In our discussion I asked him the cost and he quoted £40 a month- surely this is less than a weekly blood test, let alone the cost of cover for my timetable when I have to attend the surgery, 20miles from work,during office hours. Hope your gp can fix it for you!
I've been on warfarin for six years with zero problems and only need three monthly INR checks as I am so stable so agree with leelec.. Although I was one of those who campaigned to allow pradaxa I personally wouldn't take it being such a new drug. I am old enough to remember thalidomode adn would like to see long term results first.
Bob
I was given 30 days supply last week on Liverpool Chest & Heart hospital after my cancelled ablation, so I do actually have them even if my GP won't prescribe.
Also had a phone call yesterday from cardiologists secretary to ask if I can go for ablation in 12 days time. So that has definitely made my mind up tp take the Pradaxa and finally get this procedure done.
Rather suprised that GP will not prescribe Pradaxa following Hospital advice to go on them. My Cardiologist at Manchester Cardiology made the decision to put me on Pradaxa following a TIA last year. No problems with GP neither.Of course we have to watch 'the bleeding'. Two weeks ago had to have an excision of a biopsy lesion on the face and was advised to keep off the Pradaxa to avoid 'the blood' - it works!! Hope all is plain sailing with ablation.
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