Dabigatran vs. Aspirin for Atrial Fibrillation and Rheumatoid Arthritis: Important Differences and Potential Risks.

Dabigatran

(Pradaxa)

Aspirin

Summary for Dabigatran

Prescription only

Dabigatran (Pradaxa) is an anticoagulant (blood thinner) used to help prevent and treat blood clots in adults and children. It's approved for certain conditions, including atrial fibrillation (AFib), where it lowers the risk of stroke. The medication comes as oral capsules and oral pellets that you take by mouth once or twice a day, depending on your condition. Common side effects include stomach upset and bleeding. If serious bleeding occurs, another medication called Praxbind (idarucizumab) can quickly reverse its blood-thinning effects.

Indications for Dabigatran

Adults:

Lower the risk of stroke and blood clots in certain people with atrial fibrillation (AFib)
Treat blood clots in the legs (deep vein thrombosis, DVT) or lungs (pulmonary embolism, PE) - after 5 to 10 days of treatment with an injectable blood thinner
Lower the risk of DVT and PE from happening again in those who finished treatment
Prevent DVT or PE after hip replacement surgery

Children (3 months and older):

Treat blood clots - after 5 days of treatment with an injectable blood thinner
Lower the risk of blood clots from happening again in those who finished treatment

Pros and Cons for Dabigatran

Pros

Doesn't require regular blood tests, frequent dose changes, or diet changes
Has a specific reversal agent (Praxbind) for emergency situations
Approved for both adults and children

Cons

Most commonly taken twice a day
Can raise the risk of serious bleeding
Commonly causes stomach-related side effects like stomach upset and nausea

Common Side Effects for Dabigatran

Upset stomach
Nausea
Stomach pain
Bleeding

Warnings for Dabigatran

Higher risk of blood clots from stopping too early
Bleeding around the spine (after certain spinal procedures)
Risk of bleeding
Not for people with mechanical heart valves
Interactions with other medications
Not for people with antiphospholipid syndrome

Summary for Aspirin

Over-the-counter

Aspirin is an over-the-counter NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug) that helps lessens inflammation. It's used to help lower fevers and relieve pain from minor injuries in people 12 years of age and older. A lower dose of aspirin is also commonly used for heart protection in certain adults who are at risk of having a heart attack or stroke. This medication most often comes as pills that are taken by mouth. Aspirin side effects include heartburn and stomach upset.

Indications for Aspirin

Pain relief from minor aches and pains, such as from headaches, muscle pain, toothache, menstrual cramps, and arthritis
Fever
Heart protection (lower the risk for heart attack or stroke) in certain adults - low-dose aspirin (81 mg per day) only

Pros and Cons for Aspirin

Pros

Doesn't raise risk for heart attacks like other NSAIDs
Can help protect the heart in certain adults with or at risk for heart disease when taken at low doses (81 mg per day)
Available as a chewable tablet for people who have trouble swallowing pills
Available over the counter in a lower-cost, generic form

Cons

Has risk for stomach ulcers and bleeding
Might worsen asthma symptoms
Not recommended for relieving pain or breaking fevers for children 18 years or younger with the flu because of risk of Reye's syndrome
Can't be used in children 12 years or younger

Common Side Effects for Aspirin

Stomach irritation (e.g., heartburn, stomach upset)

Warnings for Aspirin

Stomach irritation, stomach bleeding, and stomach ulcers
Kidney problems
Reye's syndrome in children
Harm to an unborn baby
Severe allergic reactions and skin reactions
Different aspirin strengths available

Prices with our coupons for Dabigatran vs. Aspirin

Dabigatran60 capsules / 150mg

$46.09$215.09

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Aspirin90 tablets / 81mg

$8.71-

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Dabigatran vs. Aspirin

Dabigatran

Aspirin

Summary for Dabigatran

Indications for Dabigatran

Pros and Cons for Dabigatran

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Dabigatran

Warnings for Dabigatran

Summary for Aspirin

Indications for Aspirin

Pros and Cons for Aspirin

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Aspirin

Warnings for Aspirin

Prices with our coupons for Dabigatran vs. Aspirin

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Dabigatran

Aspirin

Summary for Dabigatran

Indications for Dabigatran

Pros and Cons for Dabigatran

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Dabigatran

Warnings for Dabigatran

Summary for Aspirin

Indications for Aspirin

Pros and Cons for Aspirin

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Aspirin

Warnings for Aspirin