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Dabigatran: Frequently Asked Questions Answered

What is dabigatran?

Dabigatran, sold under the brand name Pradaxa, is an anticoagulant. It prevents the clotting protein thrombin from binding to the platelets. It thus prevents blood clots from developing an abnormal cardiac rhythm (atrial fibrillation). Preventing these blood clots lowers the chance of having a stroke.

Dabigatran is an anticoagulant and a blood thinner. It thus improves the flow of blood through your veins. It ensures that your blood is less prone to forming a potentially fatal blood clot.

What are the uses of dabigatran?

As an anticoagulant and a blood thinner, dabigatran improves blood flow through the vessels. It prevents the blood from forming life-threatening clots.

Doctors prescribe it for use by patients who have experienced a blood clot-related health condition, such as a stroke. It can also treat deep vein thrombosis, which is a blood clot in the leg. As an injectable anticoagulant, it can treat pulmonary embolism, a blood clot in the lungs.

Dabigatran can help patients who have recently had hip replacement surgery avoid blood clots in their legs and lungs.

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    What are the side effects of dabigatran?

    The side effects of dabigatran are rashes, discomfort, a tight sensation in your chest, wheezing, difficulty breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or neck. 

    If you suffer adverse side effects such as back discomfort, numbness, muscular weakness in your lower body, or loss of bladder or bowel control, seek emergency medical treatment.

    Reach out to your physician if you have any uncontrollable bleeding, vomit, or cough with bloody mucus.

    What is Dabigatran

    Uses of Dabigatran

    Side effects of Dabigatran

    References

    1. PRADAXA (dabigatran etexilate mesylate) capsules for oral use Label
    2. Pradaxa (dabigatran) dosing, indications, interactions, adverse effects, and more
    3. Dabigatran: Review of Pharmacology and Management of Bleeding Complications of This Novel Oral Anticoagulant
    4. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-444-53717-1.00059-7

    Disclaimer: The information provided herein is accurate, updated and complete as per the best practices of the Company. Please note that this information should not be treated as a replacement for physical medical consultation or advice. We do not guarantee the accuracy and the completeness of the information so provided. The absence of any information and/or warning to any drug shall not be considered and assumed as an implied assurance of the Company. We do not take any responsibility for the consequences arising out of the aforementioned information and strongly recommend you for a physical consultation in case of any queries or doubts.

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    Frequently Asked Questions about Dabigatran

    No, dabigatran is not a factor Xa inhibitor. The active type of coagulation factor X is known as factor Xa. Rivaroxaban, apixaban, and edoxaban are all direct factor Xa (FXa) inhibitors.
    Dabigatran is a direct thrombin inhibitor (factor IIa) that eliminates many of the drawbacks of warfarin.

    No. If you are using dabigatran, it is advisable to stay away from alcohol. This is because drinking too much alcohol might put you at risk for intestinal bleeding. While using dabigatran, heavy drinking, especially consuming large amounts of alcohol in one sitting, is hazardous. Alcohol can enhance the effects of dabigatran and make you more prone to bleeding.

    You should take dabigatran precisely as your doctor prescribes, for the correct dosage and duration. Do not split, chew, or crush the capsules. Do not open and pour the capsules’ contents over food or beverages. Instead, swallow them whole with sufficient water. Only if you continue to take dabigatran will it help you avoid strokes and blood clots. Even if you feel alright, keep taking dabigatran.
    Tell your physician if you’re taking it before surgery, medical treatment, or a clinical procedure.

    The Food and Drug Administration has authorized idarucizumab (Praxbind) to prevent or treat severe bleeding in subjects taking the anticoagulant dabigatran (Pradaxa). It is a novel direct antidote, the first of its kind, for treating life-threatening or uncontrolled bleeding caused by dabigatran usage.

    No, dabigatran does not need bridging. Because DOACs have short half-lives (less than 12 hours), peri-procedural administration of parenteral “bridging” anticoagulants is unnecessary.
    Direct oral anticoagulants such as dabigatran, apixaban, rivaroxaban, and edoxaban do not require bridging with unfractionated or low molecular weight heparin when commencing therapy, since their effects are rapid.

    Yes, dabigatran is a DOAC (Direct Oral Anticoagulants). Dabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixaban, and edoxaban are the four DOACs now accessible in the United States. DOACs are termed ‘direct’ because they cure or prevent blood clots by blocking a specific blood-clotting agent. You can take DOACs such as dabigatran orally.

    Yes. Dabigatran etexilate is a prodrug advisable to take orally and fully transformed by carboxylesterases to the active form dabigatran.
    However, due to its low bioavailability (7%), dabigatran is given orally as dabigatran etexilate (Pradaxa). It is a lipophilic and gastrointestinally absorbed molecule that is transformed into dabigatran via two intermediates. Serine esterases are responsible for ester bond breakage.

    Dabigatran is metabolized into four acyl glucuronides, each of which is a direct thrombin inhibitor that has less than 10% of the original compound's action.
    Dabigatran neither metabolizes nor promotes any of the cytochrome P450 subtypes.

    Idarucizumab is used to reverse dabigatran. It is a monoclonal antibody fragment that rapidly binds dabigatran. It has been authorized for clinical usage in required situations.
    Idarucizumab is used to treat life-threatening or uncontrollable bleeding, including emergency surgeries and other urgent treatments.

    No, dabigatran is not advisable to be taken in pregnancy. Pregnant women should not take dabigatran as an anticoagulant, since it may induce fetal blood coagulation problems. Researchers are keenly involved in gathering information about newer anticoagulants that can substitute dabigatran in such cases.

    Get a medical opinion on the uses, doses, precautions, and side effects of Dabigatran by consulting our specialists at Yashoda Hospitals.
    S.no Product Name Dosage Form
    1. Pradaxa Dabigatran etexilate 110mg Capsule
    2. Dabigo Dabigatran etexilate 110mg Capsule
    3. Afogatran Dabigatran etexilate 110mg Capsule
    4. Dabistar Dabigatran etexilate 110mg Capsule
    5. Goodflo Dabigatran etexilate 110mg Capsule