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Pradaxa vs. Warfarin

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Pradaxa (dabigatran) and warfarin (Coumadin) are both blood thinners used to prevent blood clots, but they work differently and have distinct features. Pradaxa is taken twice daily and doesn’t require regular blood tests or dietary changes, whereas warfarin is taken once daily, but requires frequent blood tests to monitor INR levels and consistent vitamin K intake. Pradaxa isn’t available as a generic and can be expensive, while warfarin is available as a lower-cost generic. Pradaxa has a higher risk of stomach bleeding and isn’t safe for people with artificial heart valves. Warfarin interacts with many foods and medications. Both medications have antidotes available in case of emergency bleeding.

Dabigatran

(Pradaxa)

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Warfarin

(Coumadin)

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Summary for Pradaxa

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 Pradaxa

Adults:

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 Pradaxa

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 Pradaxa

  • Upset stomach
  • Nausea
  • Stomach pain
  • Bleeding

Warnings for Pradaxa

  • 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 Warfarin

Prescription only

Warfarin (Coumadin) is a blood thinner (anticoagulant). It's used to prevent and treat blood clots in adults and children with conditions such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE). Warfarin (Coumadin) is taken by mouth, typically once daily. Your provider will adjust the dose based on your international normalized ratio (INR). Taking too much warfarin (Coumadin) can lead to side effects like bruising and serious bleeding. If needed, your provider can give you an antidote to reverse the effects of warfarin (Coumadin).

Indications for Warfarin

  • Prevention and treatment blood clots in the veins
  • Prevention and treatment blood clots linked to atrial fibrillation (AFib) or heart valve replacement
  • Prevention of more blood clots and to lower risk of death after a heart attack

Pros and Cons for Warfarin

Pros

  • Each strength of tablet is a unique color, making it easy to tell them apart
  • Only needs to be taken once a day
  • Has an antidote available in case of an emergency
  • Available as a lower-cost generic

Cons

  • Only prevents new blood clots from forming or getting bigger; it doesn't work on existing blood clots
  • Requires regular blood draws to check INR levels
  • Interacts with foods and many commonly-prescribed medications
  • Not safe to take during pregnancy

Common Side Effects for Warfarin

  • Bleeding
  • Bruising

Warnings for Warfarin

  • Severe or life-threatening bleeding
  • Risk of blood clots from stopping too early
  • Risk of fat-containing clots
  • Calcium build-up in blood vessels (calciphylaxis)
  • Skin or tissue death and risk of gangrene
  • Not for use during pregnancy

Prices with our coupons for Pradaxa vs. Warfarin

Price Card Drug Icon
Dabigatran60 capsules / 150mg
$46.09$215.20
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Warfarin30 tablets / 5mg
$4.00$4.00
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