Dabigatran

[sotolol]

Hi every one. If my blood tests are all ok I am about to switch from aspirin to dabigatran, can any one give me advice as to how you get on those of you using this drug.

Thank you.

[jennydog]

I have been on Predaxa now for 6 months. I had digestive problems initially as the EP prescribed an antacid to take with it for the first 3 months. CDreamer gave me advice on this site. She said that it needed an acid environment and she was correct. I stopped taking the antacid and have had no further trouble.

I learned not to put the capsule down on to a damp plate. It dissolves in a flash releasing loads of foul tasting tiny balls.

I take it at breakfast time and with a drink before bed.

I have less bruising than with warfarin. Bleeding stops as easily as it did when on warfarin.

[sotolol in reply to jennydog]

Thank you for your reply jennydog. I take lansoprazol as it is for the aspirin, so I will heed your advice as I don't like taking it anyway, so maybe a good get out. meant to take daily, but only have three a week. As for the damp plate you must of tried to take it as you got the taste, poor you, yuk.

Also for when to take it.

So a big thank you, hope you are doing ok.

[AnticoagulateNow]

If you have a choice (which of course you do) go for Apixaban. Fast becoming the leader among the NOACs with overall better results and none of the hassle with stomach acid or tablet storage.

Either way, the sooner you're on something effective (aspirin is not!) the better.

[sotolol in reply to AnticoagulateNow]

Thank you made a note and will ask on next visit, I have been wanting to go on A NOAC two years now get fobbed off but consultant over rode my GP!

cheers.

[Perrylees]

Pradaxa gave me awful nausea until I started taking it with food at all times.

I'm not too sure about the comments re: indigestion as I was ok for months and then got appalling heartburn out of the blue. I had no choice but to take antacids. I believe the pill casing is some kind of acid designed to help the active ingredient to work?

Thankfully I am now not in need of anti coagulation but if and when I am again I will be asking to try something different!

[sotolol in reply to Perrylees]

Thank you. Can't win can we. !

[Perrylees in reply to sotolol]

Ha ha no!!

[CDreamer in reply to Perrylees]

The casing needs an acid environment in order to dissolve. When you eat carbs this changes the environment to a slightly more alkaline environment, which carbs need to be digested. The gut is more alkaline and this is where they will be digested but when you fill the stomach withn them, because they are bulky there is not much room for much else, they cannot filter through to the gut so acid is pushed up into the gullet - resulting in heartburn.

And the Pradaxa not dissolving properly and being absorbed into the bloodstream.

Unfortunately GPs don't seem to know this process. I picked this up on a U.S. drugs site and studying the digestive system.

Following the protocol below eliminates the discomfort, took a few days to get used to it and to eliminate it completely, but it worked.

[CDreamer]

I researched this thoroughly and there are very good reasons you may have got heartburn which may or may not have been connected with Pradaxa.

Briefly this is the protocol I followed with absolutely NO problems but it was only learned after doing all the wrong things!

1. Always take after food but NEVER after carbohydrates. I found that a smoothie was perfect or fruit and yogurt. I always got heartburn if taken after eating bread or cereal.

2. Ensure you take with a full glass of water, sip slowly for a few minutes after taking.

3. Take 12 hourly - I found that 7am/pm worked for me.

If you had a TOE or anything else pushed down your throat you are much more susceptible to heartburn and acid reflux which will pass in a few weeks anyway. Taking antacids is fine to ease the pain Of heartburn I found that Gaviscon liquid extra strength worked best for me, but don't take it before you take the Dabigatron and try leave it for an hour or so after you take it.

I found out that there are very good reasons Dabigatron has this effect, following the above protocols eliminated all these side effects,

Best wishes CD

[sotolol in reply to CDreamer]

Wow I love yogurts so will I will remember that. I have to take other meds for other conditions, been put on different glaucoma drops, I feel sick for about two hours after taking them. I read notes and they can make you feel nauseous as they get into your blood stream. so got to see the eye treatment centre. Got to hold my tear duct while using, bla bla.

If you get time could you tell me the reasons, I can all ways look them up. ta

[AnticoagulateNow in reply to CDreamer]

Gosh, nearly as much hassle as warfarin!

Bye Bye Dabigatran

Say hello to Apixaban

[jnh1]

Good Morning Sotolol,

I went through this process and my excellent GP and friend advised me to talk to the Pharmasist about the change over. The one thing that is MOST important is to remember and organise to take the second tablet of the day. As organised and excited as I was using this drug and because of my very busy schedule at the time, on many occasions I forgot or didn't have the tablets with me. Taking the second tablet is one of the biggest concerns in the medical world as the life of this drug is so short in your system. I personally changed back to Warfarrin because I was going to live in Portuguese countryside and the people while very very lovely, do not have the same driving skills as ours. I was concerned that should I be involved in an accident, there was no anti-dote for this drug and the associated lack of bleeding control.

I hope your new medication works very well for you.

Jim

[sotolol in reply to jnh1]

Morning Jim.

Yes I read if you are in a car crash you are more likely to bleed more and die. Happy days.

Choice die from a stroke, bleeding, glaucoma and driving into a tree, or take the pills and hope for the best...?

thank you.

[jnh1 in reply to sotolol]

Glad you noticed the piece I left out, well done.

J.

[AnticoagulateNow in reply to jnh1]

Oh please.... Chances of being involved in a car crash resulting in high volume bleeding trauma? Pretty low - how many such car crashes have you had to date in your life?

Chances of an Afibber having a stroke without anti coagulation? So much higher. Just look at how many people, on this forum alone, have had TIAs and strokes before they saw the light and commenced anti coagulation. Many more of course are not around to write about it....

The 'no antidote' thing is so overstated. If you make it to hospital, you won't be left to bleed to death whatever you are on. If you're bleeding in the middle of nowhere the type of anti coagulation you are taking is irrelevant - unless you happen to have a sack of broccoli within reaching distance!

[sotolol in reply to AnticoagulateNow]

You are right of course. My daughter in law's mum has AF. On her way back from the states she had a stroke. The plane had to return and after an emergency landing, a visit to the Hospital.

Luckily for her there were 2, doctors on the plane and she received excellent treatment, she is now on dabigatran and you would never know she had a stroke, it was so severe that the doctor said with the type she had you normally go out feet first. She is now 71.

I have never had a car crash yet, I have been driving since I was 17, and I am AN OAP NOW SO GOOD INNINGS SO FAR.

So thank you for your reply, how long have you been on your Apixaban?

all the best.

[AnticoagulateNow in reply to sotolol]

About 3 months - so a newbie really but so far, touch wood, no adverse side effects. Infinitely better without the hassle of warfarin.

[sotolol in reply to AnticoagulateNow]

Good to hear. I agree about the hassle of warfarin.. My sister has it.

Cheers.

[jnh1 in reply to AnticoagulateNow]

Your so correct, I must put two sacks of broccoli in my car. To be sure, to be sure.?

[sotolol in reply to jnh1]

That is what I will have to put in my handbag, there may be some in the bottom some where everything else is in it. Ha.

[Rellim296 in reply to jnh1]

You would do better to carry a bunch of parsley as it outranks broccoli by a mile!

[sotolol in reply to Rellim296]

I know there is an antidote for warfarin, Vit k. But my gp told me there is not one as yet for dabigatran?

confused.com

[Rellim296 in reply to sotolol]

I think they are working on antidotes for all the NOACs, but if you do have a serious bleeding situation (particularly internal bleeding) somewhere remote, you are in trouble whatever anticoagulation you are on or, indeed, if you are not anticoagulated. I understand that UK mountain rescue team members do not carry vitamin K, but the team doctor, if trained, may carry a drug which can be used - should the casualty survive long enough.

[sotolol in reply to Rellim296]

Thank you it all makes sence once it's pointed out. Thank you all. X

[sotolol]

Thank you all for your help, gotta laugh, not.