Key takeaways
Dabigatran (Pradaxa) and heparin are both anticoagulants, or blood thinners, used to treat and prevent blood clots, including in the legs (deep vein thrombosis (DVT)) or lungs (pulmonary embolism (PE)). However, they have some important differences. Dabigatran is a direct thrombin inhibitor available as an oral capsule and is typically taken twice a day. It does not require regular blood tests for monitoring, but it can cause stomach upset and increase the risk of bleeding. Heparin, on the other hand, is an injection and requires regular blood tests to monitor its effectiveness. It is often used in hospital settings and can cause side effects like low red blood cells and a serious condition called heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). Both medications have an antidote to reverse their effects in case of severe bleeding. Dabigatran is not recommended for people with mechanical heart valves, whereas heparin is not recommended for those with a pork allergy.
