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Pradaxa® (the brand name for dabigatran etexilate mesylate) is prescribed to prevent stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (Afib) who do not have heart valve involvement in the fibrillation. It is an anticoagulant that reduces the risk of blood clots.

Afib lessens the efficiency with which the heart beats and leads to the blood's pooling in the heart's atria, or its upper chambers. The pooling of blood can produce a blood clot.

A stroke can be caused by a blot clot that breaks loose and travels from the atria through the blood stream to the brain. The clot can get stuck in a blood vessel and prevent blood, and therefore the oxygen it carries, from reaching a portion of the brain. Since oxygen is necessary for the survival of all of our body's tissues, cells in that portion of the brain deprived of oxygen-carrying blood begin to die within minutes.

A stroke is a medical emergency that should be treated as soon as possible. Pradaxa® was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in October 2010.

Pradaxa® Side Effects

Since Pradaxa® is an anticoagulant given to prevent blood clots, it can sometimes do its job too well and lead to serious side effects such as internal bleeding. If this bleeding is severe enough, the patient can die.

The risk of blood thinning increases in patients who:

• Are 75 years old or older
• Have problems with their kidneys
• Have an ulcer
• Have recurrent bleeding in the stomach or intestine
• Take other medicines that increase the risk of bleeding such as aspirin products, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and other blood thinners
• Have kidney problems and take dronedarone (Multaq®) or ketoconazole tablets (Nizoral®)

If you experience the following symptoms, you should contact your doctor immediately:

• Any unexpected, severe, or uncontrollable bleeding
• Bleeding that is prolonged
• Coughing up or vomiting blood
• Vomit that looks like coffee grounds
• Pink or brown urine
• Red or black stools (that look like tar)
• Unexpected swelling or joint pain
• Headaches and feeling dizzy or weak

It is important to tell your doctor about all the medicines and supplements you take. Some of these can interact with Pradaxa® and increase bleeding.

For more information or to schedule a free case review, contact our Pradaxa® lawyers today.