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Pradaxa vs. Xarelto

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

Xarelto (rivaroxaban) is a prescription blood thinner used to prevent and treat blood clots. It can lower the risk of serious problems like stroke, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), or pulmonary embolism (PE). It's comes as a tablet or liquid and is taken by mouth. Your dose depends on why you're taking it, so it could be once or twice a day. The most common side effect is bleeding, which can sometimes be serious or life-threatening. Xarelto (rivaroxaban) is available as both a brand-name and a generic medication.

Adults:

• Lower the risk of stroke and blood clots in people with atrial fibrillation (AFib) not caused by a heart valve problem
• Treat blood clots in the legs (deep vein thrombosis (DVT)) or lungs (pulmonary embolism (PE))
• Lower the risk of DVT or PE coming back after treatment
• Prevent DVT and PE after knee or hip replacement surgery
• Prevent blood clots in people in the hospital or recently released who are at high risk
• Lower the risk of serious heart problems, like heart attack or stroke, in people with coronary artery disease (CAD), taken with aspirin
• Lower the risk of blood clots and related problems in people with peripheral artery disease (PAD), taken with aspirin

Children:

• Treat blood clots and lower the risk of new clots in children from birth to under 18 years old
• Prevent blood clots in children 2 years and older with congenital heart disease (CHD) after a Fontan procedure

Adults

• Any bleeding (Up to 28%)

Children

• Any bleeding (36%)
• Cough (16%)
• Vomiting (14%)
• Stomach virus (13%)
• Rash (9%)

• Higher risk of blood clots if stopped too early
• Paralysis in the spine
• Bleeding
• Interactions with other medications
• Risk of pregnancy-related bleeding
• Not recommended in people with prosthetic heart valves
• Not recommended in people with antiphospholipid syndrome