Dabigatran Etexilate
Dabigatran etexilate is an anticoagulant used to prevent stroke in atrial fibrillation and to treat or prevent blood clots; it is sold as Pradaxa 150mg capsules.
What dabigatran etexilate does
Dabigatran etexilate is an anticoagulant: it slows the clotting process in the blood. Adults take it to stop clots forming in the leg veins after a hip or knee replacement, to lower the risk of stroke and of clots travelling to other organs in people with the irregular heartbeat called non-valvular atrial fibrillation, and to treat deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism — clots in a deep leg vein or in an artery to the lungs — and stop them coming back. It is sold as Pradaxa 150mg capsules.
How dabigatran works
Dabigatran etexilate is a prodrug, which means the capsule itself is inactive and the body converts it into dabigatran after it is swallowed. The active form latches onto thrombin, the enzyme that builds fibrin, the protein threads a clot is made from. Less working thrombin means clots form more slowly. Warfarin reaches a similar result by a different route, through vitamin K, which is why dabigatran needs no INR checks.
Keeping up a supply of Pradaxa 150mg
A missed run of capsules matters more here than with most daily tablets, because the blood-thinning effect fades within about a day and stroke and clot protection fades with it. Reorder Pradaxa before the last pack empties. The capsules go down whole with a full glass of water, and they should never be opened or chewed. Most people take one capsule twice a day, though some conditions call for once-daily dosing.
Bleeding and other side effects
Bleeding is the main thing to watch. Bruises that show up without a bump, nosebleeds that take longer to stop, or gums that bleed while brushing all point to slower clotting. Indigestion and stomach ache are the most common complaints and often settle after the first few weeks. Black tarry stools, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, or bleeding that will not stop need urgent treatment.
What interacts with dabigatran
Aspirin, ibuprofen and other anti-inflammatory painkillers, plus clopidogrel, warfarin and heparin, all raise the chance of bleeding alongside dabigatran because they interfere with clotting or with platelets. A few other medicines change how much dabigatran stays in the blood: ketoconazole and similar antifungals push it up, while carbamazepine and St John's wort pull it down.
Sources
- Dabigatran Etexilate Accord | European Medicines Agency (EMA) — European Medicines Agency
- Dabigatran: MedlinePlus Drug Information — MedlinePlus
Where can I order Dabigatran Etexilate for delivery in Hong Kong?
Generic Pradaxa capsules can be ordered online with delivery to Hong Kong, and they come as 150mg capsules. That is the version shown on this page. You can pay by Visa, Mastercard or American Express on a secure, encrypted payment page, or with Bitcoin or Ethereum.
How much does Dabigatran Etexilate cost?
The price depends on the strength and pack size you choose. The Pradaxa page shows current prices in HKD or the currency you select.
Is there a generic Pradaxa?
Yes, generic Pradaxa is listed as 150mg capsules and contains dabigatran etexilate. The page holds this version only, with no plain dabigatran capsule or further named version beside it.
What are the other names for dabigatran etexilate?
Pradaxa is a brand name of dabigatran etexilate. Here, dabigatran etexilate can be bought online as generic Pradaxa. These are generics, not the original brand.
Does dabigatran need the regular blood tests that warfarin does?
No. Dabigatran attaches directly to thrombin instead of working through vitamin K, so the frequent INR clotting checks that warfarin needs are not part of routine treatment. Blood counts or kidney tests may still be done from time to time, especially in older people or when kidney function changes.
Can I take Pradaxa with ibuprofen or aspirin?
Ibuprofen, aspirin and other anti-inflammatory painkillers make bleeding more likely while you are taking dabigatran. They reduce how well platelets clump together, and aspirin also thins the blood. Anyone taking both regularly has a higher chance of stomach bleeding than someone on dabigatran alone.
Can dabigatran capsules be taken with food?
It makes little difference whether a capsule is taken with a meal or on an empty stomach — dabigatran is absorbed much the same either way. Where food helps is with the indigestion the capsules can cause, so a dose taken with breakfast or the evening meal is easier on the stomach.
How should I store Pradaxa capsules?
Leave them sealed in the foil or bottle they arrived in, somewhere dry and away from heat. Damp air softens the capsule shell, and a capsule that has turned sticky or soft is best not swallowed.