Pradaxa is an oral FDA approved blood thinner (direct thrombin inhibitor). It is manufactured by German based Boehringer Ingelheim and marketed as an alternate to Warfarin. Pradaxa was approved by the FDA in October of 2010 to help prevention of strokes, reduce risk of stroke and risk of blood clots in patients who suffered with non-valvular arterial fibrillation. When comparing the drug Warfarin, which has been around for over 50 years, to Pradaxa there are a few differences, except price and antidote. Although Pradaxa costs more, patients who are prescribed Pradaxa do not have an antidote for the excessive bleeding that is a side effect of all blood thinners. Patients prescribed Warfarin can be treated with a Vitamin K shot to help the blood clot when excessive bleeding has occurred.
No regular blood tests are recommended by the manufacturer or marketers or Pradaxa. In contrast, Patients who have been prescribed Warfarin undergo constant monitoring by their doctors through blood draws to ensure the safety of the health. Patients who are prescribed Pradaxa like the idea they no longer have to undergo the blood draws. This there is not another means of monitoring, leaving the safety of their health at risk and potential fatal issues going undetected. The only precaution to a patient health is if the patient has an impairment of kidneys, 75 years or older, low weight, or has replacement heart valves then it is recommended the patient undergo assessment of the function of kidneys prior to being prescribed and during the time frame a patient is taking Pradaxa. In patients 75 or older, Pradaxa 150 mg twice daily regimen is linked to increase risk of extracranial bleeding.