Dabigatran/Pradaxa

[Simoni]

Im due to have an AF PVI cryo ablation in Feb and been told to start dabigitran (pradaxa) anticoagulants on 1st Jan in preparation...does anyone take this and are there any side effects please?

[BobD Volunteer]

Plenty of people take anticoagulants with no problems but if you expect them then you may have them.

The alternative of course is no ablation as this can not be done without adequate anticoagulation for at least a month or more before the procedure. Don't even think about cheating as this could be really serious and life changing, not for the better.

[Simoni in reply to BobD]

Thanks Bob, i definately wouldn't go against what im told as per the AC, I know how important it is to follow the rules, i just wanted to know what if anything to expect when i take them. cheers

[Paulbounce]

I take them Simon and have done for some time. 100% no problems at all - you won't even know you are on them. Some med's can have a negative effect (tired etc) but these don't. Get stuck in.

Good luck with ablation.

Paul

[JohnEagel]

Hello mate,I take them since 2017 when I had my ablation. Did not have any problems or complaints so far (knock on wood).

Have never used any other AC so cannot make any comparison but as said, I am happy with them.

Cheers

J.

.....and a Happy New Year to all of us, free from Afib, healthy and prosperous. May the force be with us. Cheers

[stoneyrosed]

I was on them before and 6 mths after cryoablation, no side effects at all. If chad score is 0 you may be able to come off them approx 3 mths after ablation. Just look forward to ablation and been AF free and don’t worry about the AC. Good luck it will be worth it. 👍

[spinningjenny]

Taken them since 2015 with no problems whatsoever. Hope the ablation goes well. I had one in January and have been af and flutter free ever since.

[KMRobbo]

I was on Pradaxa 25 days prior to ablation and 3 months after . I had no problems

[john-boy-92]

Dabigatran is in the same class as amiodarone, but without the iodine element. There needs to be a documented handover to the GP of your prescription of dronedarone. You'll need a liver function test before you start taking dronedarone and, tests at six month intervals thereafter. You may not have side effects but in rare instances (about 6 in 100,000) and I'm speaking from experience, pulmonary toxity (cryptogenic organising pneumonia) can occur. Watch out for a non-productive cough and, sounds like Velcro being pulled apart when you breathe. Some clinicians diagnose this as community aquired pnuemonia, but it will not respond to antibiotics. You'll need to see a clinician if your blood oxygen (SpO2) drops to 92%. If there are symptoms I can post the link to the published paper on my case and, give you the contacts at North Bristol Lung Institute who diagnosed and cared for me. You'll probably find the link to the paper if you search HealthUnlocked.