X
More than 60,000 patients use Brite
4.6 stars
Your health finally understandable with Brite
Enter email and you're done. No subscription, no credit card.
Search, tap and you're done. Over 3,400 medicines.
Check, remind, get an overview.
Sarah K., 34
I finally understand my therapy. The app reminds me, answers my questions — and I don't feel alone with it anymore.
Dabigatran is a modern blood thinner and the only DOAC that directly inhibits thrombin. It is taken twice a day, protects against stroke in atrial fibrillation and treats thromboses – and it has its own antidote in Idarucizumab.
See more detail.gif)
Intake reminders for both daily doses, an interaction check and your medication plan in one place. Free.
Never stop or pause dabigatran on your own. Stopping abruptly significantly increases the risk of stroke and thrombosis – always discuss any changes with your practice. Dabigatran (brand name Pradaxa®) is a modern, directly acting oral blood thinner from the group of DOACs (direct oral anticoagulants). What makes it special: dabigatran is the only DOAC that directly inhibits the clotting enzyme thrombin – the other approved active substances block factor Xa. It is taken twice a day, without the regular blood tests that used to be needed with Marcumar.
| Property | Details |
|---|---|
| Active substance | Dabigatran (as dabigatran etexilate) |
| Brand name | Pradaxa® |
| ATC code | B01AE07 |
| Drug class | DOAC – direct thrombin inhibitor (factor IIa) |
| Formulation | Hard capsules 75, 110, 150 mg |
| Intake | 2× daily, independent of meals |
| Standard dose | 150 mg 2×/day (110 mg under certain conditions) |
| Blood tests | No INR measurement; check kidney function regularly |
| Prescription only | Yes |
| Special note | Swallow the capsule whole, do not open; antidote idarucizumab available |
In blood clotting, many factors work together in a chain. At the end of this chain is the enzyme thrombin: it converts soluble fibrinogen into fibrin – the sticky threads from which a clot forms. Dabigatran blocks thrombin directly and right at the end of the coagulation cascade. As a result, the blood "clumps" more slowly and dangerous clots form less often.
That is exactly what is wanted in people with an increased risk of thrombosis: in atrial fibrillation dabigatran helps prevent a stroke, and in a thrombosis or pulmonary embolism it prevents clots from growing and recurring. Unlike the older phenprocoumon (Marcumar), dabigatran works predictably straight away and needs no INR checks. A special vitamin K diet is also not necessary.
For atrial fibrillation the standard dose is 150 mg twice a day, i.e. morning and evening about twelve hours apart – independent of food. In certain situations it is reduced to 110 mg twice a day.
| Situation | Dose |
|---|---|
| Standard (atrial fibrillation) | 150 mg 2×/day |
| Age 80 and over | 110 mg 2×/day |
| Concurrent use of verapamil | 110 mg 2×/day |
| Increased bleeding risk / moderate kidney impairment | 110 mg 2×/day (medical judgement) |
A missed dose can be made up until about six hours before the next scheduled intake – if it is later, it is skipped. Never take a double amount to make up for a missed dose. What generally applies to a missed dose is explained in the guide Forgotten your medication.
brite reliably reminds you of your morning and evening dabigatran intake and documents it seamlessly.
Although dabigatran belongs to the DOAC group like apixaban and rivaroxaban, it differs fundamentally in its point of attack: it is the only direct thrombin inhibitor, while the other three active substances block factor Xa. For everyday life, what matters most is the intake rhythm – and that dabigatran has its own specific antidote.
| Property | Dabigatran | Apixaban | Rivaroxaban | Edoxaban |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Point of attack | Thrombin (factor IIa) | Factor Xa | Factor Xa | Factor Xa |
| Intake | 2× daily | 2× daily | 1× daily | 1× daily |
| With food? | Independent | Independent | Higher doses with a meal | Independent |
| Specific antidote | Yes (idarucizumab) | Andexanet alfa | Andexanet alfa | Andexanet alfa |
| Special note | Do not open the capsule; frequent stomach problems | Often preferred with kidney impairment | Take with the main meal | Less effective with very good kidney function |
Which DOAC is the right one depends on kidney function, weight, age, stomach tolerance and concomitant medication. None is universally "the best" – the choice is made individually by the doctor.
The most important and most common side effect of all blood thinners is an increased tendency to bleed. This is the direct flip side of the desired effect and is usually harmless, but in individual cases it can become serious. Also typical of dabigatran are gastrointestinal problems such as heartburn, upper abdominal pressure and nausea.
| Side effect | Frequency | What to do? |
|---|---|---|
| Stomach problems, heartburn (dyspepsia) | Common | Take with a meal; discuss a stomach protectant with your doctor |
| Nosebleeds, bleeding gums, bruises | Common | Usually harmless; mention to your doctor if frequent |
| Anaemia | Uncommon | Have blood values checked |
| Severe bleeding (gastrointestinal, brain) | Rare | Emergency – call 112 immediately |
Anything that additionally inhibits clotting increases the bleeding risk. Check combinations in the interaction check.
| Substance / medication | Interaction | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| NSAIDs (ibuprofen, diclofenac, naproxen) | Significantly increased bleeding risk | Avoid; prefer paracetamol |
| Other blood thinners / ASA, clopidogrel | Additive bleeding risk | Only combine on medical instruction |
| Verapamil (heart medication) | Dabigatran level rises | Dose reduction to 110 mg 2×/day |
| Strong P-gp inhibitors (ketoconazole, ciclosporin, dronedarone) | Dabigatran level strongly increased | Combination often contraindicated |
| P-gp inducers (St John's wort, rifampicin) | Dabigatran effect weakened | Avoid – poorer clotting protection |
Before planned operations or procedures (including at the dentist), dabigatran often has to be paused one to several days beforehand, depending on the bleeding risk and kidney function – but only on medical instruction. Because dabigatran is excreted mainly via the kidneys, kidney function is particularly important for how long the pause lasts. Tell every practice treating you that you take a blood thinner, and ideally carry an emergency card with you.
A major advantage of dabigatran: for life-threatening bleeding or urgent emergency operations there is a specific antidote in idarucizumab (Praxbind®), which reverses the effect within minutes. It is given in hospital as an infusion. In an emergency, the most important thing is that those treating you know about the dabigatran intake – a digital medication plan helps with this.
With brite you have your medication plan ready for every visit to the doctor and dentist.
