Many would say the cause of AFib is unknown. Other times, it is the result of damage to the heart’s electrical system from other conditions, such as longstanding, uncontrolled high blood pressure or coronary artery disease. AFib is also the most common complication after heart surgery. Although atrial fibrillation can feel weird and frightening, an “attack of AFib” usually doesn’t have harmful consequences by itself. The real danger is the increased risk for stroke. Even when symptoms are not noticeable, AFib can increase a person’s risks for stroke and related heart problems. You may be prescribed medications to control how fast your heart beats and restore it to a normal rate. Medications are also prescribed to prevent blood clots, a dangerous complication of AFib. Medications used to treat atrial fibrillation. To reduce the risk of stroke or damage to other organs caused by blood clots, a doctor may prescribe a blood-thinning medication (anticoagulant). Blood thinners include Pradaxa.
Pradaxa is used in patients with atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat) not caused by a heart valve problem. It lowers the risk of stroke in these patients. It does this by cutting the risk that a blood clot will form in the heart and go to the brain. Pradaxa comes in 75 mg, 110 mg and 150 mg capsules. Most people take 150 mg capsules twice a day. Pradaxa contains the active drug dabigatran, which belongs to the drug class called direct thrombin inhibitors. (A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way.) Pradaxa is a type of anticoagulant. Pradaxa works by thinning your blood and decreasing your body’s ability to form a blood clot. Strokes can be caused by blood clots that move to your brain. A blood clot in your lungs is called a pulmonary embolism (PE). And a blood clot that typically develops in your legs is known as a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The risk of strokes as well as PEs and DVTs may be decreased by taking Pradaxa. Clinical studies looked at how well Pradaxa works to help prevent blood clots in people with nonvalvular A-fib. Blood clots can be very serious, and PEs or DVTs can sometimes result in death, so it’s very important to try to prevent them from occurring.
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; pain or tight feeling in your chest, wheezing, difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Also seek emergency medical attention if you have symptoms of a spinal blood clot: back pain, numbness or muscle weakness in your lower body, or loss of bladder or bowel control.
Common side effects of Pradaxa:
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stomach pain or discomfort;
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indigestion; or
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nausea, diarrhea.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
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any bleeding that will not stop;
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easy bruising or bleeding (nosebleeds, bleeding gums);
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headache, weakness, dizziness, or feeling like you might pass out;
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blood in your urine or stools, black or tarry stools;
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cough with bloody mucus or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;
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pink or brown urine;
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joint pain or swelling; or
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heavy menstrual bleeding.
People with kidney problems may take lower doses of Pradaxa because the drug is eliminated through the kidneys. The FDA advises doctors to check a patient’s kidney function before prescribing Pradaxa and to reassess kidney function throughout treatment with the drug. Patients should not stop taking Pradaxa without first talking with their doctor. The FDA warns that missing doses may increase the risk of blood clots or stroke. Suddenly stopping Pradaxa also increases the risk of thrombotic events such as strokes.
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