Have been on pradaxa and flecanide for sometime but the continual adverse comments about pradaxa are to effect my head for instance in the

[drumcannon]

Daily mail today cannot get a simple reply all consultants have different views so difficult for poor patient a nervous one at that

[jokelly]

I was on Warfarin for about two months and had many side effects, being classed as Warfarin intolerant. I have atrial fibrillation which could not be cured in my case, so now have a pacemaker but will have to remain on anti coagulants for life. I have been taking Pradaxa for about five months now and after some initial gastric upset, have settled on taking 150mg twice daily without any adverse effects whatsoever. The relief from constant INR monitoring with its never ending blood testing, dietary restrictions etc, is brilliant.

Now I know that there are some concerns about dabigatran (Pradaxa) especially as regards unstoppable bleeding. All I can say is that during my hospital procedures which involved bleeding, there was no problem with abnormal clotting. My advice would be to weigh up the pros and cons. I take a risk each time I get in the car or cross the road - that's life and the quality of my life has so improved coming off Warfarin. However, if you fear the risk (and it is only a risk and not a given) then you can choose to stay on Warfarin.

[mumknowsbest]

The daily mail was looking for horror story's to match those in America. Ther is nothing new and they are working on antidotes. I would say ignore the papers

Eileen

[darksteele]

There are other less controversial agents that are different from Pradaxa called Factor Xa's (Ten a's), rivaroxaban (Xarelto) & apixaban (Eliquis). They work slightly differently to pradaxa. Both agents are available on the NHS. Riva is one tablet a day and Apixa is two tablets a day