Daily Medication Pearl: Dabigatran Etexilate (Pradaxa)

Medication Pearl of the Day: Dabigatran Etexilate (Pradaxa)

Indication: Dabigatran etexilatecapsules is a direct thrombin inhibitor indicated:

• To reduce the risk of stroke and systemic embolism in adult patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation.
• For the treatment of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) in adult patients who have been treated with a parenteral anticoagulant for 5-10 days.
• To reduce the risk of recurrence of DVT and PE in adult patients who have been previously treated.
• For the prophylaxis of DVT and PE in adult patients who have undergone hip replacement surgery.
• For the treatment of venous thromboembolic events (VTE) in pediatric patients from 8 to less than 18 years of age who have been treated with a parenteral anticoagulant for at least 5 days.
• To reduce the risk of recurrence of VTE in pediatric patients from 8 to less than 18 years of age who have been previously treated.

Insight:

• Dosing: Non-valvular atrial fibrillation in adult patients—for patients with CrCl >30 mL/min: 150 mg orally, twice daily. For patients with CrCl 15-30 mL/min: 75 mg orally, twice daily (other indications have other dosing information. Please refer to the package insert).
• Dosage forms:Capsules 75 mg, 110 mg, and 150 mg.
• Adverse events (AEs): Most common AEs (>15%) are gastrointestinal adverse reactions and bleeding.
• Mechanism of action: Dabigatran and its acyl glucuronides are competitive, direct thrombin inhibitors.
• Manufacturer: Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals

Sources:

• Pradaxa.pdf (boehringer-ingelheim.com)
• pradaxa image - Google Search