Key takeaways:
Pradaxa (dabigatran) is an oral blood thinner that treats and prevents blood clots. Boehringer Ingelheim is the manufacturer of brand-name Pradaxa.
Dabigatran, the generic form of Pradaxa, is available in oral capsules from several different manufacturers. It’s available at a lower price than brand-name Pradaxa capsules. But Pradaxa oral pellets are currently only available as a brand-name product.
GoodRx may be able to help you save over 60% off the average retail price of generic Pradaxa.
Save on related medications
The treatment landscape for blood thinners has evolved over the past several decades. There are now a variety of options on the market to choose from, including Pradaxa (dabigatran). Pradaxa is an oral anticoagulant that prevents and treats blood clots.
Pradaxa and other brand-name blood thinners are innovative products for people who need them. But they sometimes come with a high out-of-pocket cost. The good news is that if you ask your pharmacist “When will generic Pradaxa be available?” — they’ll happily tell you it’s already here.
Here, we’ll walk through the top five things to know about generic Pradaxa, so you can decide if the lower-cost option is right for you.
1. Generic Pradaxa is already available
Generic Pradaxa capsules first launched in 2022, courtesy of Camber Pharmaceuticals and Ascend Laboratories. Before this, Boehringer Ingelheim was the only company that manufactured dabigatran (as brand-name Pradaxa).
Since the first generics were launched, other companies have begun manufacturing their own versions. This includes Alembic Pharmaceuticals, Apotex, Novadoz Pharmaceuticals, and more.
Good to know: Ascend Laboratories recalled its generic Pradaxa capsules in 2023 because they contained a potentially cancer-causing chemical known as nitrosamine. This recall is still active, but all affected products expired in July 2024 or earlier. Your pharmacist can switch you to a different Pradaxa generic if your medication has been recalled.
2. Generic Pradaxa works as well as the name-brand version
It’s normal to wonder whether a generic medication is as effective as the brand-name version. Rest assured, dabigatran (generic Pradaxa) works just as well as the name-brand medication.
All generic medications are required to go through quality testing. Essentially, manufacturers must prove their generic medications work the same way and provide the same clinical effects as their brand-name counterparts.
Generic medications can have minor differences from the brand-name version. For instance, they may contain different inactive ingredients or colorings. But these differences don’t impact how the medications work.
Reach out to your pharmacist if you have any questions about generic Pradaxa. Sometimes, pharmacies swap generics, so it’s possible that your medication may look unfamiliar when you pick it up at some point. Your pharmacist can let you know which generic version they’ve filled.
3. Patents kept Pradaxa generics off the market for more than a decade
Brand-name Pradaxa was approved by the FDA in 2010. Multiple patents prevented generic competition during Pradaxa’s first several years on the market.
Patents generally last 20 years from the date they’re submitted. They’re typically granted while a manufacturer is developing a medication — so, even before the medication is approved. After a patent is granted, only the name-brand medication is allowed to be on the market.
The first Pradaxa patent expired in June 2022. This allowed generic versions to start trickling into the U.S. market.
Authorized generics 101: Learn more about authorized generics and how they differ from regular generic drugs.
Risk management: Like all medications, Pradaxa (dabigatran) has side effects to be aware of. Here are the top ones you should know about.
Blood thinner options: Beyond Pradaxa, there are a variety of blood thinner options to choose from. Check out the most commonly used alternatives.
4. Both versions come as oral capsules
Generic dabigatran and name-brand Pradaxa products for adults are available as oral capsules. You typically take Pradaxa capsules by mouth twice a day.
Both the brand and generic versions come as 75 mg, 110 mg, and 150 mg capsules.
Be sure to store generic and brand-name Pradaxa capsules in their original manufacturer containers. This is because moisture can cause the medication inside the capsules to break down, making them less effective. Once a bottle is opened, the capsules are good for 4 months. Most bottles contain 60 capsules (a 30-day supply) of medication.
5. Pradaxa oral pellets for kids are still only available as a brand-name product
Pradaxa also comes as oral pellets. In fact, Pradaxa oral pellets were the first oral blood thinner approved to treat and prevent blood clots in kids. You can sprinkle them on certain soft foods or mix them with apple juice, making the medication easier to swallow.
Pradaxa oral pellets are available in several doses, ranging from 20 mg to 150 mg. But they’re currently only available as a brand-name product. Generic Pradaxa oral pellets likely won’t be approved until sometime after March 2026, when their patent expires. But the exact date hasn’t been determined yet.
How to save on Pradaxa
There are ways to save on both brand-name and generic Pradaxa. For example, GoodRx may be able to help you save over 60% off the average retail price of the generic version.
At certain pharmacies, the price for generic Pradaxa (dabigatran) 150 mg may be as low as $55.37 for a 30-day supply with a free GoodRx coupon. And brand-name Pradaxa’s price may be as low as $209.07 for the same dose and fill quantity.
Frequently asked questions
Pradaxa is part of a group of blood thinners called direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs). DOACs work by blocking certain steps of the blood clotting process. Pradaxa works by blocking a clotting factor called thrombin. This helps treat and prevent unwanted blood clots in the body.
Minor bleeding is the most common side effect of Pradaxa. This includes bleeding gums when you brush or floss your teeth or bruising more easily than usual. Pradaxa can also cause upset stomach, heartburn, and diarrhea for some people. Taking it with food can help ease these side effects. In rare cases, severe bleeding can occur while taking Pradaxa. Be sure to seek emergency care if you notice blood in your urine or stool, or have a bruise that continues to grow.
No, there isn’t a patient assistance program currently available for brand-name Pradaxa. This is likely due to the wide availability of a lower-cost generic form of the medication. If you’re having trouble affording your medication, talk to your healthcare team about switching to a different blood thinner that does have assistance available.
Pradaxa is part of a group of blood thinners called direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs). DOACs work by blocking certain steps of the blood clotting process. Pradaxa works by blocking a clotting factor called thrombin. This helps treat and prevent unwanted blood clots in the body.
Minor bleeding is the most common side effect of Pradaxa. This includes bleeding gums when you brush or floss your teeth or bruising more easily than usual. Pradaxa can also cause upset stomach, heartburn, and diarrhea for some people. Taking it with food can help ease these side effects. In rare cases, severe bleeding can occur while taking Pradaxa. Be sure to seek emergency care if you notice blood in your urine or stool, or have a bruise that continues to grow.
No, there isn’t a patient assistance program currently available for brand-name Pradaxa. This is likely due to the wide availability of a lower-cost generic form of the medication. If you’re having trouble affording your medication, talk to your healthcare team about switching to a different blood thinner that does have assistance available.
The bottom line
Pradaxa (dabigatran) is an oral blood thinner that treats and prevents blood clots. Dabigatran, the generic form of Pradaxa, is available in oral capsules from several different manufacturers. It’s available at a lower price than brand-name Pradaxa capsules. But Pradaxa oral pellets are currently only available as a brand-name product. Reach out to your prescriber or pharmacist to see if generic Pradaxa may be right for you.
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References
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals. (2010). FDA approves Pradaxa, marking a major milestone to reduce the risk of stroke in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation.
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals. (2025). Pradaxa- dabigatran etexilate pellet [package insert].
Camber Pharmaceuticals. (2022). Camber Pharmaceuticals launches generic Pradaxa.
DailyMed. (n.d.). Search results for: Dabigatran.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (n.d.). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2021). FDA approves first oral anticoagulant for pediatric patients .
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2021). Generic drugs: Questions & answers.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2022). ANDA tentative approval 208067.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Ascend Laboratories LLC issues voluntary nationwide recall of dabigatran etexilate capsules, USP 75 mg and 150 mg due to the detection of N-nitroso-dabigatran (NDAB) impurity.
