TREATMENT WITH A BLOOD THINNER
IN THIS SECTION, WE WILL EXPLORE:
- What are blood thinners?
- Atrial fibrillation (AFib) and the risk of stroke
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) and their risks
Understanding Blood Thinners
Blood thinners are often prescribed to reduce the risk of blood clots and stroke in people with atrial fibrillation (AFib) not caused by a heart valve problem, who are at high risk of blood clots. The name blood thinner can be misunderstood, as blood thinners don’t actually “thin” your blood. In fact, blood thinners work by lowering the chances of blood clots forming in your body.
There are two different types of blood thinners:
Anticoagulants lessen coagulation, or the process by which your blood clots. PRADAXA and warfarin fall into this category.
Antiplatelets prevent blood cell fragments (platelets) from sticking to the walls of your blood vessels and each other.
What’s the difference between warfarin and newer anticoagulants like PRADAXA?
About AFib & Risk of Stroke
Atrial fibrillation, or AFib, is the most common type of irregular heartbeat. It occurs when one or both of the upper chambers of the heart – called the atria – don’t beat the way they should.
An irregular heartbeat can cause blood to pool in the left atrium, where a blood clot can form. If that clot breaks away, it can travel to the brain, where it can cause a type of stroke called an ischemic (is-KEE-mic) stroke.
Symptoms of AFib
There aren’t always symptoms with AFib, and you may be unaware of your condition until a doctor discovers it during a physical exam.
But when there are symptoms, they can include:
- palpitations
- weakness
- fatigue
- reduced ability to exercise
- lightheadedness
- dizziness
- confusion
- shortness of breath
- chest pain
AFib can put you at 5x greater risk of a stroke
The Signs of a Stroke
If you or your loved one has AFib, you’ll need to know the signs of stroke. By using the simple acronym F.A.S.T., you’ll be able to quickly recognize if your loved one may be suffering a stroke. That’s important because it could be a situation where seconds count.
Take a few minutes to commit this acronym to memory:
FACE
Ask your loved one to smile. Does one side of his or her face droop?
ARMS
Ask your loved one to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
SPEECH
Ask your loved one to repeat a simple phrase. Does his or her speech sound slurred or strange?
TIME
Time is crucial. Call 9‑1‑1 immediately if you or your loved one has any of these symptoms
It’s important to work closely with your doctor to develop a treatment plan to help reduce your risk of stroke. Our Doctor Discussion Guide can help you ask the right questions to assist your doctor in deciding if PRADAXA is right for you.
FAST FACTS ABOUT AFib & STROKES
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AFib affects more than 2 million people in the United States
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The odds of developing AFib increase with age
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It’s estimated that AFib is the most common type of irregular heartbeat in people over the age of 65
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Women with AFib face a 260% greater risk of stroke than men with AFib
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Every year in this country, about 156,000 people have AFib-related strokes
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AFib causes up to 1 in every 5 strokes
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Some people with AFib may have no symptoms
Jack* has been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AFib). Learn about his journey and treatment plan.
* Actor Portrayal
Common Myths About AFib
MYTH | FACT |
|---|---|
Everyone who has AFib will have symptoms. | NOT TRUE. Some people with AFib will have no symptoms at all, and yet may still suffer a sudden stroke. |
If you take medication for AFib and no longer have symptoms, you’re cured. | NOT TRUE. The fact is you may still have AFib whether or not you feel symptoms, and it is very often a lifelong condition. |
Warfarin (also known as Coumadin® or Jantoven®) is the only medication approved by the FDA to reduce risk of stroke due to AFib. | NOT TRUE. PRADAXA was the first alternative to warfarin approved by the FDA to reduce the risk of stroke due to AFib not caused by a heart valve problem. See how the two compare. Since FDA approval in October 2010; more than 17 million prescriptions have been filled in the U.S. |
PRADAXA reduces the risk of ischemic stroke due to AFib not caused by a heart valve problem
The most important way to reduce your risk of ischemic stroke due to AFib is by reducing the chance of blood clots forming
In a clinical trial, PRADAXA was proven superior to warfarin at reducing risk of ischemic stroke in patients with AFib not caused by a heart valve problem
Unlike warfarin, PRADAXA doesn’t require regular blood tests to see if your blood-thinning level is in the right range, and has no dietary restrictions
Start the conversation with your doctor about helping to reduce the risk of stroke with PRADAXA today.
About DVT and PE
Doctors often refer to deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) as a single condition known as VTE, which stands for venous thromboembolism. DVT and PE affect about 900,000 people in the United States every year, and are very serious conditions. In fact, PE is a medical emergency and can be fatal, but there are treatment options available and steps you can take to reduce the risk of recurrence.
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
Pulmonary Embolism (PE)
PE is a condition in which one or more of the pulmonary arteries in your lungs become blocked. In most cases, this blockage is caused by blood clots that form in the legs due to DVT and then travel to the lungs.
DVT & PE: Do You Know the Symptoms?
The symptoms of DVT
In about half of all cases, DVT occurs without any symptoms. When there are symptoms, they can include:
pain or swelling in the affected leg or thigh
skin of the affected area is warm to the touch
change in skin color of the affected area, such as redness
If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.
The symptoms of PE
The symptoms of PE are serious and require immediate medical attention, as PE can be fatal. These symptoms include:
unexplained shortness of breath
chest pain that worsens when you cough or breathe deeply
coughing up blood
lightheadedness or dizziness
rapid pulse
sweating
Call 9-1-1 or seek emergency medical attention immediately if you develop signs or symptoms of PE.
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Fast Facts About DVT/PE
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Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) pose a serious risk to your health
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When a blood clot enters your lungs, it becomes a pulmonary embolism
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DVT can be life threatening, especially if it leads to a PE
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DVT/PE cause about 300,000 deaths each year in the United States
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Even if DVT doesn’t lead to PE, nearly half of all people with DVT can develop a lasting complication called post-thrombotic syndrome that results in damage to the affected vein in the leg
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A history of PE increases the risk of high blood pressure in the lung arteries, called pulmonary hypertension
Common Myths About DVT & PE
MYTH | FACT |
|---|---|
If you are young and healthy, DVT and PE won’t affect you | NOT TRUE. While people over 60 years of age are more likely to develop DVT and PE, people of all ages can be affected. |
There is nothing you can do to reduce the risk of DVT and PE. | NOT TRUE. The fact is that you can reduce the risk of DVT and PE through early symptom recognition and management. Know the symptoms of DVT and PE, talk to your doctor about the risk factors for developing them, and seek emergency medical care immediately if you experience any of the symptoms. Learn more about the risk factors for developing DVT and PE. |
Warfarin (also known as Coumadin® or Jantoven®) is the only medication approved by the FDA to treat and reduce the risk of DVT and PE occurring again. | NOT TRUE. Among the new drugs approved by the FDA for individuals who experienced a DVT or PE, PRADAXA was proven as effective as warfarin in patients who have been on an injectable blood thinner for 5 to 10 days, and to reduce the risk of recurrence. See how PRADAXA compares to warfarin. |
PRADAXA had higher rates of total bleeding vs. placebo (no treatment).
The goals of treating DVT and PE
The management of DVT and PE has two goals. One of these is treatment, which includes:
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Stopping the clots from growing
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Keeping the clots from breaking free, traveling to the lungs, and causing a PE
The other important goal of management is to reduce the risk of another DVT or PE.
Start the conversation with your doctor
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In clinical trials, PRADAXA was proven as effective as warfarin in the treatment of DVT and PE in patients who have been treated with an injectable blood thinner for 5 to 10 days, and in reduction of the risk of recurrence
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Unlike warfarin, PRADAXA doesn’t require regular blood tests to see if your blood-thinning level is in the right range, and has no dietary restrictions
Start the conversation with your doctor about helping to treat DVT and PE and reducing the risk of recurrence with PRADAXA today.
Pradaxa® (dabigatran etexilate) is a prescription medicine that is used to:
- reduce the risk of stroke and blood clots in adults who have a medical condition called atrial fibrillation that is not caused by a heart valve problem. With atrial fibrillation, part of the heart does not beat the way it should. This can lead to blood clots forming and increase your risk of a stroke.
- treat blood clots in the veins of your legs (deep vein thrombosis) and lungs (pulmonary embolism) after you have been treated with an injectable medicine to treat your blood clots for 5 to 10 days.
- reduce your risk of blood clots from happening again in the veins of your legs and lungs after you have received treatment for blood clots.
PRADAXA is not for use in people with artificial (prosthetic) heart valves.
For people taking PRADAXA for atrial fibrillation: Do not stop taking PRADAXA Capsules without talking to the healthcare provider who prescribes it for you. Stopping PRADAXA increases your risk of having a stroke. PRADAXA may need to be stopped, if possible, before surgery or a medical or dental procedure. Your healthcare provider will tell you when you should stop taking PRADAXA and when you may start taking it again. If you have to stop taking PRADAXA, your healthcare provider may prescribe another medicine to help prevent a blood clot from forming.
PRADAXA can cause bleeding which can be serious and sometimes lead to death.
Don’t take PRADAXA if you:
- currently have abnormal bleeding.
- have had a serious allergic reaction to any of the ingredients in PRADAXA.
- have had or plan to have a valve in your heart replaced.
Your risk of bleeding with PRADAXA may be higher if you:
- are 75 years old or older.
- have kidney problems.
- have stomach or intestine bleeding that is recent or keeps coming back or you have a stomach ulcer.
- take other medicines that increase your risk of bleeding, like aspirin products, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and blood thinners.
- have kidney problems and take dronedarone or ketoconazole tablets.
Call your healthcare provider or get medical help right away if you have any of these signs or symptoms of bleeding:
- any unexpected, severe, or uncontrollable bleeding; or bleeding that lasts a long time.
- unusual or unexpected bruising.
- coughing up or vomiting blood; or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.
- pink or brown urine; red or black stools (looks like tar).
- unexpected pain, swelling, or joint pain.
- headaches and feeling dizzy or weak.
Spinal or epidural blood clots (hematoma). People who take PRADAXA and have medicine injected into their spinal and epidural area, or have a spinal puncture have a risk of forming a blood clot that can cause long-term or permanent loss of the ability to move (paralysis). Your risk of developing a spinal or epidural blood clot is higher if:
- a thin tube called an epidural catheter is placed in your back to give you certain medicine.
- you take NSAIDs or a medicine to prevent blood from clotting.
- you have a history of difficult or repeated epidural or spinal punctures.
- you have a history of problems with your spine or have had surgery on your spine.
If you take PRADAXA and receive spinal anesthesia or have a spinal puncture, your healthcare provider should watch you closely for symptoms of spinal or epidural blood clots. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have back pain, tingling, numbness, muscle weakness (especially in your legs and feet), loss of control of the bowels or bladder (incontinence).
Tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you have kidney problems, bleeding problems, stomach ulcers, or have antiphospholipid syndrome (APS).
Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if PRADAXA will harm your unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment with PRADAXA.
Tell your healthcare provider if you are a female who is able to become pregnant. Talk with your healthcare provider about pregnancy planning during treatment with PRADAXA. Talk with your healthcare provider about your risk for severe bleeding from the uterus if you are treated with blood thinner medicines, including PRADAXA.
Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if PRADAXA passes into your breast milk. You should not breastfeed during treatment with PRADAXA Capsules. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby during treatment with PRADAXA Capsules.
Take PRADAXA exactly as prescribed. It is important to tell your healthcare provider about all medicines (prescription and over-the-counter), vitamins, and supplements you take. Some medicines may affect the way PRADAXA works.
PRADAXA can cause indigestion, stomach upset or burning, and stomach pain.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA.
Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1‑800‑FDA‑1088.
CL-PX-100064 06.28.2021