SUPPORT
IN THIS SECTION, WE WILL EXPLORE:
- Caregiver tips and support
- Educational resources
Caregiver Support
We're here to help you support your loved one
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Being a caregiver can be both wonderfully rewarding and deeply challenging
If you're a caregiver, take comfort in knowing that your helping hand can make a real difference in the life of your loved one.
We've put together some important information below, and as a handy reference, included a quick guide for caregivers caring for a patient.
Learn about your loved one's condition
Understanding and being able to recognize the signs and symptoms of your loved one's condition can help you become more effective and empowered in your role as caregiver. It's important to also be aware of other conditions your loved one may have. Be sure to share what you learn with others who may be called upon to help too.
The power of an open and honest conversation
A heartfelt talk, up front, can ease concerns and set expectations, as well as define your role in helping to meet the needs of your loved one. Whether your loved one is a spouse or a parent, you may not even think of yourself as a caregiver, but as someone who's simply doing what's expected. Nevertheless, it's a lot more than that, and that's why we offer help and advice that can help you care for your loved one.
Below you'll find more information on topics that may be helpful to you:
Caring for a loved one can be challenging
In your role as a caregiver, it's important to be sensitive to how the person may feel about accepting your help, as it may affect their feelings of independence.
If your loved one is in need, remind them that after a lifetime of their love and unconditional support, you are happy to help in any way you can. To help you, we've created a Caring for a Patient Guide filled with valuable information on helping your loved one.
Things may not go as planned, and that's okay
Sure, there may be disagreements. Your loved one's acceptance of your role as caregiver may come slowly. And because every family is different, you may not always get a big thank you for all your efforts. But you will always have the satisfaction of knowing you're doing the right thing and doing it out of love.
Each doctor's appointment is a chance to help your loved one
To get the most out of each office visit, it's important to write down any questions beforehand so you don't forget them. Use our Doctor Discussion Guide to help make sure you and your loved one get the answers you need about the condition and how PRADAXA can help reduce your risk of clots.
It's also helpful to bring along a list of all their medications. Download your Medical History and Medications List. If possible, go with your loved one to all doctor visits, tests, and procedures. We also recommend you make a list of all of his or her primary care physicians (and keep it handy).
For other free helpful information:
Importance of Creating a Daily Routine to Manage Treatment
An easy way to help your loved one develop a daily routine is to suggest taking his or her medication at the same time each day.
If the doctor has prescribed PRADAXA for your loved one, you should know that:
Your loved one should not stop taking PRADAXA without talking to their doctor because stopping PRADAXA increases their risk of having a stroke or a blood clot forming in their body
PRADAXA works differently than warfarin, also known as Coumadin® or Jantoven®, so your loved one doesn't need to have regular blood tests to see if their blood-thinning level is in the right range, and there are no dietary restrictions. See how the two compare
Since its FDA approval, over 17 million prescriptions have been filled in the U.S.
It's important to know that PRADAXA can cause bleeding, which can be serious and sometimes lead to death. This is because PRADAXA is a blood-thinning medicine (anticoagulant) that lowers the chance of blood clots forming in your body. Learn more about PRADAXA safety information.
A few tips for staying the course
Make sure your loved one is taking PRADAXA as prescribed
Make sure your loved one is keeping PRADAXA in its original container, and never in a pill box or pill organizer
Have your loved one carry an Emergency Medical ID card. Download the printable card here, fill it out, and give it to your loved one to carry
Create a medications list. Your loved one's doctor needs to know all prescription, nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements he or she is taking or plans to take. Some medicines or supplements may affect the way PRADAXA works. Download your Medical History and Medications List
For other free helpful information:
It's important to remember that you have needs, too
Caregiver tips
As a caregiver, you are faced with a good deal of stress and extra work. This can make it easy to lose sight of your own needs.
Here are a few tips that may help:
Embrace healthy habits. Eat nutritious meals, get enough sleep, and exercise regularly
Involve others. Don't feel like you have to do it all. Reach out to those around you. They may want to help but don't know how. Make a list of tasks and ask family members, friends, and neighbors if they can help
Maintain social contacts. Humans are social beings. Isolation increases stress. Make it a priority to keep up with relationships and activities
See your doctor regularly. Caregivers report chronic conditions at nearly twice the rate of non-caregivers
Reach out to community services and organizations. There may be non-profit caregiver resources available right in your neighborhood that can provide you with a much-needed break during the day as well as other free services for your loved one
Join a support group. Others who are faced with similar challenges can offer encouragement and advice. Support groups are a great place to share your stories and make some lifelong friends along the way
Take a breather. An occasional break from caregiving responsibilities is one of the best ways to manage stress. Whether you take a few weekends a year or a few hours a week, it can help keep stress levels low, restore energy, and keep your life in balance
Helpful resources to visit online
We're committed to providing caregivers like you the necessary resources to help care for your loved ones. Below are some of the leading websites that provide additional information and useful tools.
For all caregivers:
National Alliance for Caregiving
Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving
For caregivers of patients with atrial fibrillation (AFib):
American Red Cross Family Caregiver Program
National Family Caregiver Support Program
For caregivers of patients with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) & pulmonary embolism (PE):
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