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Dabigatran vs. Enoxaparin

Dabigatran etexilate mesylate, also known by its brand name, Pradaxa, is a type of anticoagulant blood thinner that treats and prevents certain types of blood clots in people ages 8 years and older. It's also used to lower the risk of stroke and blood clots in people with atrial fibrillation (AFib). The dosing can differ based on why you need the medication, but it's typically taken by mouth twice a day. Side effects include stomach upset and bleeding. For people who experience serious bleeding with this medication, there's an antidote medication called Praxbind (idarucizumab) that reverses its effects.

Adults:

• Lowering the risk of stroke or blood clots in people with atrial fibrillation (AFib) that isn't caused by a heart valve problem
• Treating blood clots in the legs (deep vein thrombosis (DVT)) or lungs (pulmonary embolism (PE)) - only after receiving an injectable blood thinner for 5-10 days
• Lowering the risk of blood clots from happening again in the legs (DVT) or lungs (PE) in people with a history of blood clots
• Preventing blood clots in the legs (DVT) or lungs (PE) after hip replacement surgery

Children 8 years and older:

• Treating blood clots - only after receiving an injectable blood thinner
• Lowering the risk of blood clots from happening again in children with a history of blood clots

• Upset stomach
• Nausea
• Stomach pain
• Bleeding

• Higher risk of blood clots from stopping too early
• Possible risk of paralysis (only in certain spinal procedures)
• Risk of bleeding
• Interactions with other medications
• Not for use in people with mechanical heart valves
• Not for use in people with antiphospholipid syndrome

Enoxaparin (Lovenox) is a blood thinner that's used to treat and prevent blood clots and other clotting-related conditions. It's given as an injection under the skin in the stomach. The dosing for enoxaparin (Lovenox) depends mostly on your weight, but also on why you need the medication. Enoxaparin (Lovenox) is a preferred choice for pregnant women, but it might not be the best option if they have prosthetic (artificial) heart valves. Side effects aren't common, but can include bleeding or bruising at the injection site. Enoxaparin (Lovenox) is available as a brand and generic medication.

• Prevention of blood clots in the arms or legs (deep vein thrombosis or DVT) or in the lungs (pulmonary embolism or PE) in:
  • People having stomach, hip, or knee surgery
  • People who aren't able to move well
  • People with a certain type of chest pain called unstable angina
• Treatment of blood clots
• Heart attack

• Abnormal liver tests (6%)
• Major bleeding (up to 4%)

• Risk of bleeding around the spinal cord during other injections near the spine
• Risk of bleeding
• Low platelet counts and clotting problems
• Higher risk of clots in pregnant women with prosthetic heart valves
• Risk of serious breathing problem in infants (gasping syndrome)