Dabigatran vs Warfarin
 | Dabigatran |  | Warfarin |  |
| Dabigatran is used to prevent blood clots from forming because of a certain irregular heart rhythm (atrial fibrillation). Preventing these blood clots helps to reduce the risk of a stroke. Dabigatran is also approved in Canada to prevent blood clots from forming in your legs or lungs after hip or knee replacement surgery. Dabigatran is an anticoagulant that works by blocking a certain substance (a type of clotting protein called thrombin) in your blood. Dabigatran should not be used to prevent blood clots from forming after mechanical heart valve replacements. If you had heart valve surgery, talk to your doctor about the best medication for you. Do not stop taking any medication, including dabigatran, without talking to your doctor first. | Warfarin is used to treat blood clots (such as in deep vein thrombosis-DVT or pulmonary embolus-PE) and/or to prevent new clots from forming in your body. Preventing harmful blood clots helps to reduce the risk of a stroke or heart attack. Conditions that increase your risk of developing blood clots include a certain type of irregular heart rhythm (atrial fibrillation), heart valve replacement, recent heart attack, and certain surgeries (such as hip/knee replacement). | |||
Alternatives
Reviews
| Add Dabigatran review I have been taking Pradaxa since the first of the year. I have had no side effects. I have had two heart ablations since I started it. I like because there is no PT/INR testing. I am scared of it. I do not know what I can eat with it or if it will interfer with my supliments, I have already experenced heart burn with it. The only possible side effect I experienced was mild stomach discomfort for about the first ten days, no side effects since. | Add Warfarin review I had multiple PE's after a rough winter of coughing and pain in my lungs. I could not take deep breaths and was given steroids and antibiotics on 2 different trips to Dr. because I wasn't getting better. These of course still did not work so my Dr. thought he better check me for blood clots. Yep, I had plenty in my lungs along with some dead lung tissue due to damage. I was in the hospital a week ... I take the drug because I have been told that I have to - I have had two episodes of DVT/PEs and am now on the drug 'for life'. The only problem with the medication is that it has been difficult to keep it regulated. It is always too high or too low. I have had lumbar surgery since being on the warifin. I was off for a few weeks and now it's difficult getting back regulated again. | |||
