Have anyone experience of pradaxa? My pharmacist knows very little and not used a lot where I stay. They say they have to order it in, so give them plenty time to get repeats.
I reclotted on rivaroxaban, bilateral PEs, last Tuesday I left hospital on 18000 heparin injections and have newly stared pradaxa. This is my 3rd time of clots in my lungs 1997,2009,2021 yip every 12years 😬.
I have antithrombin def 3 and whilst in hospital they took bloods to test for other disorders.
Hi maejane, I hadn't heard directly of Pradaxa but on looking it up realised it's the commercial name for dabigatran etexilate). There's actually quite a lot of information online and maybe you could find more of it by using its generic name of dabigatran. It's a little surprising that your pharmacist wasn't more knowledgeable about it. This is a link to an easily understandable article about it: bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/dabiga...
It is a known and recommended treatment for a number of conditions, including your own.
Thanks, I've looked it up. I but was looking for people's experiences of using the drug....
Hi Maejane. I have been taking Pradaxa for six years now. I started taking it because Warfarin, Apixaban and Rivaroxaban all gave me bad side effects and I have been fine on it. It works in a different way to Apixaban/Rivaroxaban which is probably why you have been put on it. It works by directly inhibiting Thrombin rather than having an effect earlier in the clotting process, if I remember correctly. It is much more expensive than the other options which is the reason why it is not generally prescribed. I have no problem at all with supply in the UK. The pharmacy don’t keep it in because I am the only person who has it but my prescriptions are on repeat so they just order it in each month. It arrives the day after they order it. They have to do this for a lot of different drugs so it isn’t a problem.It is rather a daunting looking medication, it comes in a big box and each of the tablets are individually wrapped in a thick foil capsule. The reason for this is important - it is a very acid medication. It needs an acid environment to work correctly. The capsules are quick dissolving and therefore mustn’t get damp, hence the packaging. Some people who take it have gastric problems because of the acidity but I have been fine. It is important to take it with food, I take mine with an early breakfast and late supper. I take it at the start of my meal and it is important to wash it down with a good sized glass of water so that it goes straight into the stomach. I avoid doing all the things that would usually cause acid indigestion, like lying down straight after a meal and so on. If the acidity causes you problems, your GP can prescribe an acid inhibitor like Omeprazole but it is better not to take these if possible as they may effect the efficiency of the drug by reducing the acidity.
It is also important to have blood tests every six months to check your liver and kidney function (I think this is true of all the anticoagulants) and also keep an eye out for symptoms of anaemia - for me, Pradaxa causes a folic acid deficiency and also affects my Vitamin D levels but it might not for you, of course.
I hope this all helps - it seems a bit daunting but actually once you get used to being a bit careful about the acidity, it is fine. Good luck.
Omg thank you so much for the info! Much appreciated. Thank you 😊
It is important to get those clinic blood tests every 6 months . I also have G P ordered blood tests every 4 months to check Rivaroxaban is not causing any bleeding in stomach or renal secretion( kidney damage ) so far so OK ( I think these are the reasons Specialist ordered these TRATS ? . I get acid stomach from the Rivaroxaban so have them with a Slimfast protein skin milk shake ( along with my statin ) to protect my stomach as it breaks down . This is before I have my dinner. I am a small eater . This works for me . I do have a lanzprazole for acid reflux also to protect stomach . Not every day but if I feel a bit acidic . Try to find a slimming protein or normal protein shake you like . I like the choc and strawberry white choc in the Slimfast. It coats the stomach and I don’t get the acidic from the Rivaroxaban . I do get if don’t take these steps .
Sorry im not much help except to say that my mum has been on pradaxa for about 10 years or longer, . She is now 90 yrs of age and has never had a problem with pradaxa. In that time she has had a few surgeries and taken off it for a few days then back on. I hope it works out for you.....
So sorry to hear about your reclothing. I am surprised that you are staying on one of the newer tablets - where I work we would have changed to to warfarin as you have failed one DOAC. If your pharmacist is suggesting dabigatran please speak to a haematologist Please keep alert to sign and symptoms of another clotDabigatran is not used very much where I work, large tablets, twice a day dosing and mainly renal excretion (so not suitable for many patients who have poor renal function)
good luck, stay safe and have a haematology discussion
Thank you for the info. I am allergic to warfarin. I used to take phenindione, but they had to change me to rivaroxaban in 2012 due to being unable to source phenindione. I have spoken to my consultant haematologist and I have to see him in clinic in a few weeks. Thanks again 😊
Hi. Had no problems on Pradaxa and was on it for a few years after a bad time on warfarin. Unfortunately, whilst I was on it I suffered another DVT and so was put on to Apixaban which the doc says is stronger. I think it’s like all medications and works well until it doesn’t!
RE: Coaguchek test strips
Dabigatran (Pradaxa) IPad App
Hi! I am new to this message board...
Self Testing INR management - Borough of Hackney. 
