Pradaxa Linked to Fewer Strokes in Atrial Fibrillation Than Warfarin

Two new analyses of more than 60,000 patients found dabigatran etexilate (Pradaxa) was linked to fewer major bleeds and strokes than warfarin.

In the studies, adult patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation received a twice-daily dosage of 150 mg or 75 mg Pradaxa to reduce their risk of stroke and systemic embolism.

Compared with warfarin, Pradaxa was associated with a 25% reduction in major bleeding and a 23% reduction in strokes during the first analysis, according to a Boehringer Ingelheim press release.

In the second study, Pradaxa led to 27% fewer strokes and 13% fewer major bleeds compared with warfarin treatment. That analysis also found 35% fewer myocardial infarctions and a 36% improved survival rate among those taking Pradaxa.

“Real-world data is extremely valuable to physicians as they provide insights on how the efficacy-safety profile of a medicine is reflected in different patient populations in general practice,” said Professor Jörg Kreuzer, a practicing cardiologist and vice president of medicine therapeutic area cardiovascular at Boehringer Ingelheim, in a press release. “We are pleased by these latest results as they show that the safety and efficacy profile of Pradaxa originally established in the RE-LY clinical trial can also be achieved in routine care worldwide.”

Pradaxa has been available in the US market for more than 6 years and is approved in more than 100 countries, according to Boehringer Ingelheim.