Dabigatran Etexilate
About Dabigatran Etexilate
Dabigatran Etexilate belongs to a class of drugs known as anticoagulants or blood thinners used to prevent and treat the risk of stroke, heart attack in patients with atrial fibrillation (irregular heart rhythm) by reducing blood clot formation. Besides this, it is also used to prevent deep vein thrombosis (blood clots in leg veins), pulmonary embolism (blood clots in the lung), and to reduce the risk of clots in people who have undergone knee or hip replacement surgeries.
Dabigatran Etexilate contains Dabigatran etexilate that works by inhibiting the production of clotting factor Xa, also called thrombin. This prevents the conversion of fibrinogen (soluble protein) to fibrin (insoluble protein), thereby preventing blood clots formation. It makes the blood flow easily through the veins making it less likely to form a serious blood clot. Thus, Dabigatran Etexilate helps prevent blood clots thereby reducing the risk of heart attack/stroke.
Take Dabigatran Etexilate as prescribed by your doctor. You are advised to take Dabigatran Etexilate for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you depending on your medical conditions. You may experience bleeding, anaemia (low number of red blood cells), nausea, stomach pain, and vomiting. Most of these side effects of Dabigatran Etexilate do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
If you are known to be allergic to Dabigatran Etexilate or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it is advised to consult a doctor before using Dabigatran Etexilate. If you have a stomach ulcer, kidney or liver problems, high blood pressure, or bleeding problems, inform your doctor before taking Dabigatran Etexilate. Try not to stop taking this medicine on your own. Discontinuing Dabigatran Etexilate may worsen your condition and increase the risk of heart attack, and stroke.
Uses of Dabigatran Etexilate
Medicinal Benefits
Dabigatran Etexilate belongs to a class of drugs known as anticoagulants or blood thinners. Dabigatran Etexilate is primarily used to prevent and treat the risk of stroke and heart attack by reducing blood clot formation. Besides this, it also reduces the risk of getting clots in people who have undergone knee or hip replacement surgeries. Dabigatran Etexilate works by stopping the action of clotting factor (thrombin). This prevents the conversion of fibrinogen (soluble protein) to fibrin (insoluble protein), thereby preventing blood clots formation.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Dabigatran Etexilate
- Stomach pain
- Vomiting
- Bleeding
- Anaemia (low number of red blood cells)
- Nausea
- Diarrhoea
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Thrombosis/Blood Clot: A blood clot can occur in any part of the body and can lead to a heart attack, stroke, or damage to organs. Blood clots can reach the arteries or veins in the organs like the brain, kidney, heart, lungs, and limbs. Conditions like atherosclerosis, diabetes, heart failure, irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), and obesity/overweight can trigger excessive blood clotting in the brain and heart.
Deep vein thrombosis (blood clots in legs): It is a medical condition in which blood clots form in deep veins, usually in the legs. The symptoms include leg pain or swelling.
Pulmonary embolism (blood clots in the lung): It is a chronic condition that occurs as the blood clots break and travel to the lungs from deep veins in the legs or other parts of the body. The symptoms of pulmonary embolism include cough, chest pain, and shortness of breath.
Stroke (blood clots in the brain): It occurs when the supply of blood to part of your brain is stopped or reduced. This prevents brain tissue from getting nutrients and oxygen leading to the death of brain cells.
Heart attack: A heart attack means the death of heart tissue due to a shortage of blood supply to the heart muscles. This can occur when there is an accumulation of cholesterol or fat narrowing the heart's major veins or when other substances like a blood clot are blocking the flow of blood.
FAQs
Dabigatran Etexilate is a thrombin inhibitor. The inhibition of thrombin, reduces the formation of blood-clotting material fibrin, thereby leading to fewer clots and aiding the free flow of blood.
No, you are not recommended to stop taking Dabigatran Etexilate without consulting your doctor as it may worsen the condition. Therefore, take Dabigatran Etexilate for as long as your doctor has prescribed it.
Please consult your doctor if you are due to undergo surgery. The doctor might ask you to stop taking Dabigatran Etexilate a few days before surgery since it can cause an increased risk of bleeding during surgery.
Taking Dabigatran Etexilate during pregnancy may cause bleeding in the mother or the newborn baby. However, please consult your doctor if you are planning to become pregnant or already pregnant before starting Dabigatran Etexilate.
Dabigatran Etexilate may increase the risk of bleeding. It is advised to be cautious during your daily activities like shaving, cutting fingernails, or using sharp objects. Inform your doctor immediately if you notice any abnormal staining or bleeding.
