So much medication.

[ruthalem]

I have been taking Dabigatran 150mg once a day for about eight weeks and it seems to suit me a lot better than warfarin but from what I have read lately it seems that I should be taking it twice daily. Is it possibly that because of other medication, ( Candesartan 32mg - Bisoprolol 2.5mg - Furosemide 40mg - daily and Naproxen 250mg three times a day, that I don`t need to take it twice daily, can anyone advise on this?

[Hidden]

Dear Pamela

Dabigatran is a bi-daily medication requiring that a tablet be taken twice a day. The anticoagulation clinic or your GP should have explained this at the time of prescription and it is concerning that they haven't as the half life of the drug is only 12-17 hours. This would leave you unprotected for the remaining hours. Half a dose twice daily is advised for those with renal function problems. Please see the AF Association Dabigatran fact sheet: atrialfibrillation.org.uk/f...

[ruthalem in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your advice, can I have your permission to print this off and take it with me when I next visit my GP? I feel it will help.

[Beancounter Volunteer]

Hi Pamela

Gosh that's quite a mixture, the Dabigatran is usually taken twice a day, but at half (75mg each time) dosage you are taking which is 150mg, so it sounds like the dosage is fine.

I would have a quick chat with your pharmacist, I understand that they usually prefer twice a day as the drug decays in the body quite quickly, but perhaps they are concerned about an interaction with one of the others, the pharmacist will know.

Best regards and be well

Ian

[ruthalem in reply to Beancounter]

Hi Beancounter, thanks for advice, I will see the pharmacist and ask about splitting the dosage to twice a day. will she be able to do this without my doctors permission.

[Beancounter Volunteer in reply to ruthalem]

Hi Pamela, if the doctor has prescribed once daily, then she may need to clear it with the doctor first, but it's the right first step

Be well

Ian

[Marion62]

Hi Pamela.

I am on warfarin and was told not to take diclofenac nor naproxen any more because it could cause excess bleeding.. I've been given co-codamol instead for back pain which in my opinion doesn't work as well.

My GP has now prescribed tramadol but the patient info leaflet says it may affect the warfarin - so I haven't taken it yet. Does any one on here have any experience of tramadol?

I always find my local pharmacist is more than ready to help with drug interactions.

Regards

Marion

[ruthalem in reply to Marion62]

Hi Marion. thanks for your reply, I was taking tramadol but it made me feel spaced out most of the time, thats why my GP prescribed naproxen and they seem to keep the pain in my joints under control really well, I don`t want to go back to being in pain all the time, so will go back to my GP for reassurance.