Pradaxa

[Countrydweller2]

All the anticoagulants so far seem to have made me ill. Pradaxa is my last try. Does anyone else have this experience? What are people’s experience wiith Pradaxa, please? x.

[Hidden]

I currently take Apixaban and have done so for several years fortunately with no problems. Prior to that I took Warfarin and apart from keeping INR under control, I didn’t have any problems with that either. We sometimes hear people say that Rivaroxaban can cause tummy problems if not eaten with a full meal (also needed to make it work properly). It can often take a while to adjust to different medications so are you giving yourself sufficient time to enable your body to adapt. I have no experience of Pradaxa (Dabigatran) so not able to comment. If there are medical reasons why you are unable to take an anticoagulant, there is a possibility that you might be considered suitable for Watchman Device or a LAAO but these are not easy to come by here in the UK. It will be interesting to hear what others suggest……..

[Countrydweller2 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you! I was fainting everywhere on Apixaban but read here someone having problems on that but on the Eliquis version he is better. My dr has agreed to let me try that if I have problems with Pradaxa despite it being much more expensive than the generic version. Thanks again.

[mjames1 in reply to Countrydweller2]

See how it goes with Pradaxa. I assume you've tried Xarelto (Rivaroxaban), if available?. Elliquis and Apixaban are essentially the same drug, but might be worth a try.

If it turns out you cannot tolerate any of them, then you and your ep have to re-evaluate your need for AC's in light of your intolerance.

Depending on your CHADS score and ep's overall assessment of your situation, that might mean off thinners entirely, a dose adjustment, or an "as needed PIP strategy" which would limit your exposure. Surgically, there's Watchman and Amulet, but both will require low dose daily aspirin for life, so make sure that is something you can tolerate in advance. There is also LAA closure, however that involves surgery and General Anesthesia, each with their own risk profile. Hopefully you will take well to the Pradaxa and the other options will all be academic. Good luck.

Jim

[Countrydweller2 in reply to mjames1]

Thank you! Fingers crossed. I've already had a stroke.

[Hidden in reply to mjames1]

Thank you for your reply mjames1, just to clarify for everyone - please consult your doctor before changing any doses or stopping your anticoagulant. Pill-in-the-pocket for anticoagulants is not a strategy used in the UK at this time and is only in trial stages in the US, it has not yet been proven to be a safe course of action. If you have been prescribed an anticoagulant it is highly important that you continue to take it as advised, unless told otherwise by your doctor or consultant, this is to help protect you from the devastating consequences of a potential stroke.

[mjames1 in reply to Hidden]

And thank you for involving yourself in such an important topic. I agree with what you say, especially that no one should stop anticoagulantion, "unless told otherwise by your doctor or consultant".

I have mentioned this in previous posts, but moving forward I will be sure to keep mentioning that PIP Anticoagulation is not an accepted strategy in the UK and that the trial in the US is not completed. That said, I do think for those who have individuals concerns about bleed risk, it's something that may be worthwhile at least discussing with their UK doctors, who best know their medical history.

Jim

[CoconutBob in reply to Hidden]

My 98 year old sister was taken off warfarin after a bad fall and was put on a baby aspirin. She seems to be doing well and remains very healthy eating normal meals in her retirement home. Some have gone with nattokinase but I read a study in Pubmed here in the U.S. that said it was only 50% as effective as aspirin.

My cardiologist suggested the Watchman but after attending a conference presented by the manufacturer said only if I had falls. Well, I recently had a bad fall right onto my head but I wasn't knocked unconscious and have stayed on warfarin. I didn't like any of the newer alternatives.

My problem is that I have become allergic to beta blockers and ace inhibitors so I am going to start Verapamil tomorrow. I see my cardiologist again in early July so I'll see what he says. I used to take Verapamil but it put me into bradycardia and then afib. Now, I have a pacemaker so there's no danger of bradycardia. But I'm running out of medication options.

Good luck to you. I hope you find a successful path forward.

[Countrydweller2 in reply to CoconutBob]

Thank you for replying. I am so sorry you are having problems with medications too. 😥

[BenHall1]

Hi, this was the Australian experience some years ago. Personally I only take Warfarin - no problems.

tga.gov.au/alert/dabigatran... Just giving you the link for info. I have no more up to date info but it might give you a start point for further research.

John.

[Countrydweller2 in reply to BenHall1]

Much appreciated, thank you!

[ninks01]

been on dabigatran for nearly three years and have not had any issues...i don't think....even small cuts seem to clot up ok. I had an small surgical procedure couple months ago and stopped taking for 72 hours , all went well , no issues with bleeding..........these meds are pretty complex and effects can vary depending on the individual. Keep well hydrated was all the instructions i had at start of taking them. Good luck.

[Countrydweller2 in reply to ninks01]

Thank you!

[ninks01]

i forgot.......dabigatran does confuse blood tests...the part of the test which measures clotting............best to make sure whoever does the test ,knows and records that you are on this med.

[Countrydweller2 in reply to ninks01]

Don’t understand that. Is it tested differently?

[Lilypocket]

Hi

Never had any problems with Pradaxa. Just bruising a little more easily. But small wounds stop bleeding almost as fast as when not on it. I am on slow release 150 mg x 2 a day.

Take care

[Countrydweller2 in reply to Lilypocket]

Thank you! That puts my mine more at rest.

[Mrsvemb]

I am on Pradaxa and it’s the only anticoagulant that I seem to be able to tolerate.

With all of the others including warfarin, after a few months I would get a build up and suffer severe nausea.

Rivaroxaban caused gastritis and a gastric ulcer.

In the end I had a consultation with a haematologist and asked him if I could alternate between Apixaban and dabigatran, which he agreed to. He wrote to my GP and once I got the nausea I would switch myself over and call GP to change my repeat prescription.

Currently I have been taking dabigatran for about 2 years with no nausea so haven’t had to change. The only thing I find with Dabigitran is hair loss. All anti coagulants caused this in my case but Dabigitran is the worst. I have to live with that and have a very supportive hair dresser.

[Countrydweller2 in reply to Mrsvemb]

Oh no! I’ve lost so much hair with the others too. 😭. Thanks for the warning.

[Mrsvemb in reply to Countrydweller2]

I also should have added that I am on 110mg twice a day

[Countrydweller2 in reply to Mrsvemb]

Thank you!

[Woodymet]

I have been on pradaxa for 6 years with no problems. I recently had hip replacement surgery and had to stop pradaxa for 48 hours with no problem. I was put on a smaller dose of anti coagulant for 10 days after the op and then returned to my normal dose of pradaxa. There was very little blood loss after op and the wound healed quickly. Any blood test I have gives very little blood loss and any small cuts heal quickly with normal blood loss.

[Countrydweller2 in reply to Woodymet]

Thank you!

[John67]

I have been taking Pradaxa for six years with no side effects. I was told to expect some possible stomach problems, indegestion / heartburn etc, but I have only had the occasional mild indegestion.Good luck

John

[Countrydweller2 in reply to John67]

Thank you!

[Adiepie]

hello! I’ve been on Pradaxa (dabigatran) since the start of my AF journey 8 years ago (currently 63M) and have had no significant issues at all. Cuts clot reasonably quickly and no additional stomach issues other than pre-existing occasional gastric reflux. Would fight very strongly if anyone tried to change it!

[Countrydweller2 in reply to Adiepie]

Thank you!

[Quilter43]

Think pradaxa caused more urinary bleeding as had a kidney stone..more bruising...switched to eliquis..none of this..an occasional bruise.everyone is different...

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

HI, TRy the 110mg x twice day . No side effects and there is an antidote.

cheri JOY. 74. (NZ)

[Countrydweller2 in reply to JOY2THEWORLD49]

Thank you! I will ask to change to 110mg before giving up on this one.

[JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply to Countrydweller2]

Hi

Not sure of your age but if you have AF then you have a cardiac diagnosis.

I read that it shouldn't be given to those with cancer. I was diagnosed with Thyroid Papillary Cancer. Also 70 yrs and had AF.

My TRIAGE TEAM at the main hospital who were looking after me as a stroke patient decided on 110mg.

My new Locum in her 80s thought 70s at 110mg. She was happy to prescribe mine @ 110mg x twice a day. The stroke Dr was an Encrinologist who put me on 110mg dosage.

All the best Countrydweller. Where are you living? DEVON?

Cheri JOY

[Countrydweller2 in reply to JOY2THEWORLD49]

Apparently our NHS insists 150mgx2 up to 80, but my lovely dr has dropped mine to 110x2 now, should be in the chemist tomorrow, so fingers crossed this will suit me. Thank you for your information.

[Nezzera]

I have taken Pradaxa (150 2 twice. A day) for about 2 and a half years. When I first started it gave me horrible acid reflux.

Started taking it after breakfast and after dinner with a half a glass of milk and no more problem.

Like others, a little easy bruising but clotting after a cut still relatively normal. I like not having to have constant blood tests to check liver function as with other anti-coagulants.

I have also had to stop briefly for a procedure with no problems.

Hope this helps. 😊

[Countrydweller2 in reply to Nezzera]

Yes, thankyou, definitely useful info. Why don't you need liver function checks though?

[Nezzera]

Do I need to have regular blood tests with PRADAXA? Unlike warfarin, with PRADAXA, there is no need for regular blood tests to see if your blood-thinning level is in the right range.

Liver injury due to warfarin therapy is rare, but clinically apparent acute liver injury attributable to it has been reported.

[Kn177yn0ra]

I’ve been on Pradaxa for 6 years with no big problems. I have to make sure that I eat before I take it due to acid reflux. I have developed blotchy skin but this may have nothing to do with it!

[Countrydweller2 in reply to Kn177yn0ra]

What do you mean blotchy?

[Countrydweller2 in reply to Kn177yn0ra]

Do you mean brown blotches?

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hi

Pradaxa comes in 110mg twice day and 150mg twice a day.

It has an antidote.

I chose it.

A tiny hard rash not sure whether PRADAXA or Synthroid my thyroid meds.

cheri JOY. 74. (NZ)