Pradaxa Side Effects

From Pharmacy Drug Guide

Pradaxa is a brand name for dabigatran, a direct thrombin inhibitor. Pradaxa is prescribed to treat patients with atrial fibrillation, a condition in which the heart beats irregularly, prompting the formation of blood clots and causing strokes. The drug prevents clots and strokes from occurring in those without heart valve disorders. Side effects experienced while on Pradaxa may include stomach pain, heartburn, skin rash and diarrhea. Severe bleeding, with potential fatal results, may occur in some patients taking Pradaxa. Those that have kidney problems may be at higher risk of bleeding.^{[1] [2]}

Contents 1 Common Pradaxa Side Effects 2 Drug Side Effects 3 Pradaxa Allergic Reactions 4 Pradaxa Precautions and Warnings 5 References

Common Pradaxa Side Effects

Common side effects of Pradaxa include stomach pain, nausea, heartburn, diarrhea and mild skin rash.^[1]

Serious side effects of Pradaxa include unusual bruising or bleeding, joint pain or swelling, bleeding gums, heavy menstrual bleeding, consistent nosebleeds, vomiting blood or dark-colored material, red or black stools, coughing up blood, oddly colored urine such as pink or brown, long-lasting bleeding from cuts, easy bruising and red spots on the skin.^{[1] [3]}

Drug Side Effects

Pradaxa Allergic Reactions

Allergic reactions to Pradaxa include hives, swelling of the face, arms, hands or legs, difficult breathing or swallowing and rash.^{[1] [3]} The active ingredient in Pradaxa is dabigatran, which might cause an allergic reaction in patients who are susceptible. Inactive ingredients in Pradaxa, including acacia, dimethicone, hypromellose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, talc and tartaric acid, may also cause allergic reactions in some individuals.^[4]

Pradaxa Precautions and Warnings

• There is a higher risk of bleeding caused by Pradaxa in those over 75 years old, those with kidney problems and those with recent bleeding in stomach or intestines.^[2]
• Pradaxa is categorized by the FDA as a C pregnancy drug; it is not known whether Pradaxa causes harm to unborn children. It is also unknown whether the drug can pass into breast milk and harm children being breastfed.^[3]
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and blood thinners may interact with Pradaxa and cause bleeding.^[2]

Also See: Drug Side Effects, Prescription Drugs, Pradaxa, Warfarin Side Effects, Warfarin Coupons, Prednisone Side Effects, Zelboraf Side Effects, Provigil Side Effects

References

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6} http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0004949/
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3} http://www.pradaxa.com/
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3} http://www.drugs.com/pradaxa.html
4. ↑ http://bidocs.boehringer-ingelheim.com/BIWebAccess/ViewServlet.ser?docBase=renetnt&folderPath=/Prescribing%20Information/PIs/Pradaxa/Pradaxa.pdf