What Is Pradaxa Used For?
Pradaxa® (
dabigatran etexilate mesylate) is a prescription anticoagulant medication approved to prevent
strokes and "systemic embolism" (blood clots) in people with
atrial fibrillation. It is not approved for use in people with atrial fibrillation that is caused by heart valve disease.
Atrial fibrillation is a type of abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia) that occurs when the electrical system that controls the heartbeat is no longer working properly. It occurs in the atria of the heart (the upper chambers).
Symptoms of atrial fibrillation may include an irregular heart rhythm, a rapid heart rate, heart palpitations (the sensation that your heart is racing or pounding), or feeling like your heart is fluttering
(see Symptoms of Atrial Fibrillation). With atrial fibrillation, both the heart rhythm and rate are abnormal.
These arrhythmias may cause certain complications, such as:
The goals of treatment for atrial fibrillation usually include one or more of the following:
- Returning the heartbeat to a normal sinus rhythm, if possible
- Controlling the heart rate if normal sinus rhythm cannot be achieved safely
- Preventing blood clots from forming by prescribing an anticoagulant (blood-thinning) medication, such as Pradaxa
- Treating the underlying causes of the abnormal rhythm and any atrial fibrillation complications
- Reducing the risk factors that may lead to a worsening of the condition.
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