What is Dabigatran?
Dabigatran is used for lowering the risk of stroke caused due to blood stroke in people with heart rhythm disorder called atrial fibrillation. The medication is used when the atrial fibrillation is not caused by a heart valve problem. Dabigatran medicine belongs to anticoagulant or blood thinner. This helps the blood through the vein easily and there would be a less chance of getting a blood clot.
Dabigatran uses
Dabigatran is used for the prevention of stroke and harmful blood clots such as in legs or lungs. The medication is used for treating blood clots in the veins of the lungs. Dabigatran is also used for preventing the blood clots from forming after hip replacement surgery.
The medication is used for the treatment of DVT or pulmonary embolism and is also used for lowering the risk of having a repeat DVT or PE.
Dabigatran Side Effects
Some of the common side effects of Dabigatran are:
Bleeding. It includes some symptoms such as:
- Stomach cramp
- Upset stomach
- Heartburn
- Nausea
Some of the serious side effects of Dabigatran are:
Serious bleeding. It includes some symptoms like:
- Unusual bleeding
- Brown urine
- Blood vomiting
- Bleeding gums
- Nose bleeds
- Joint pain
- Headache
- Weakness
- Hives
- Rash
- Itching
- Difficulty in breathing
If you have any of these serious symptoms immediately contact your doctor for further assistance. In any case, due to Dabigatran if you get any kind of reactions in your body try avoiding it.
A doctor advised you to take the medicines by seeing your problems and the benefits of this medicine are greater than the side effects. Majority of the people who use this medicine don’t show any side effects. Get medical help immediately if you get any serious Dabigatran side effects.
Precautions
Before taking Dabigatran talk with your doctor if you are allergic to it or any other medication. The product may contain some inactive ingredients that can cause allergic reactions or some other problems.
Before using Dabigatran talk to your doctor if you are having any medical history such as:
- Mechanical heart valve
- Kidney disease
- Bleeding problems
- Blood disorders
- Liver disease
- Stroke
- Clotting disorder
How to take Dabigatran?
Try to take Dabigatran with a full glass of water. Dabigatran tablets can be taken with or without food. Swallow the whole capsule avoid crushing, chewing, breaking or opening the tablets. Dabigatran comes in the form of a tablet. When Dabigatran is used for the prevention of DVT, PE, strokes or serious blood clots, the medication is usually taken twice a day. When Dabigatran is used to prevent a DVT or PE after a hip replacement surgery, the dosage should be taken 1 to 4 hours after surgery and then once a day for 28 to 35 days.
Dabigatran capsules should be swallowing whole with a full glass of water. Avoid splitting, crushing or chewing the tablets.
Dosage
Drug form and strengths
Dabigatran- 75 mg and 150 mg
Adult dosage for deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
-150 mg should be taken twice a day
Adult dosage for Prevention of Thromboembolism in Atrial Fibrillation:
-150 mg should be taken twice a day
Adult dosage for DVT or PE after hip replacement surgery
-110 mg should be taken 1 to 4 hours after the surgery.
-220 mg should be taken for 28 to 35 day
Adult dosage for reducing the risk of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism
-2.5 mg tablet should be taken 2 times per day
Missed Dose
Missing one or two-dose of Dabigatran won’t show any effect on your body. The skipped dose causes no problem. But with some medication, it won’t work if you don’t take the dosage on time. If you miss a dose some sudden chemical change may affect your body. In some cases, your doctor would advise you to take the prescribed medicine as soon as possible if you have missed the dose.
Overdose
Overdose of a drug can be accidental. If you have taken more than the prescribed Dabigatran tablets there is a chance of getting a harmful effect on your body’s functions. Overdose of a medicine can lead to some medical emergency.
Interactions
Drug interaction can change how Dabigatran works or it can also increase the risk for some serious side effects. Some of the product that can interact with drug includes mifepristone.
Other medicines can affect the removal of dabigatran from your body, which can affect how dabigatran works. Examples include cobicistat, cyclosporin, dronedarone, ketoconazole, and rifampin.
Aspirin, aspirin-like drugs (salicylates), and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, naproxen, celecoxib) can have similar effects to dabigatran. These medications can increase the risk of bleeding problems if taken during treatment with dabigatran. Carefully check all labels on prescription and non-prescription products (including medications applied to the skin, such as pain relief creams), as the products may contain NSAIDs or salicylates. Talk to your doctor about using a different medicine (such as acetaminophen) to treat pain/fever. If you have been prescribed low-dose aspirin and related medications (such as clopidogrel, ticlopidine) for specific medical reasons, such as heart attack or stroke prevention, ask your doctor if you should continue taking them or if you should change your prescription.
Storage
Direct contact with heat, air and light may damage your medicines. The exposure of medicine may cause some harmful effects. The medicine must be kept in a safe place and out of children’s reach.
Mainly the drug should be kept at room temperature between 68ºF and 77ºF (20ºC and 25ºC).
Before taking Dabigatran consult your Doctor. In case if you face any problems or get any side effects after taking Dabigatran rush immediately to your nearby hospital or consult your doctor for better treatment. Carry your medications always in your bag while travelling to avoid any immediate emergencies. Follow your prescription and follow your Doctor advice whenever you take Dabigatran.
Dabigatran vs Aspirin
Dabigatran |
Aspirin |
|---|---|
| Dabigatran is used for lowering the risk of stroke caused due to blood stroke in people with heart rhythm disorder called atrial fibrillation. | Aspirin is an anti-inflammatory drug. It contains salicylate, this is a compound found in the plants. |
| Dabigatran is used for the prevention of stroke and harmful blood clots such as in legs or lungs. The medication is used for treating blood clots in the veins of the lungs. | Aspirin is used for the treatment of fever and inflammation. These results in many forms of arthritis which include:
|
Some of the common side effects of Dabigatran are:
|
Common side effects of Aspirin are:
|
