What is Pradaxa?

Pradaxa (dabigatran etexilate) is a prescription drug fabricated by Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc., and approved in 2010 by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It is an anti-coagulant (blood thinner) used to reduce the risk of strokes and blood clots in patients with atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation is a condition in which the heart beats in an erratic rhythm. Because the upper chambers (atria) of the heart do not fully contract, blood pools in those areas, becomes stagnant, and may create clots. If a blood clot then travels to the brain, it induces a stroke. In an effort to prevent clotting, Pradaxa, a direct thrombin inhibitor, thins the blood by targeting its enzymes.

Unfortunately, Boehringer Ingelheim reported in November 2011 that 260 people worldwide had died due to a fatal bleed while taking Pradaxa. This caused the FDA to issue a safety announcement in December of 2011, assuring consumers that it is investigating dozens of claims that severe internal bleeding/hemorrhaging in patients taking Pradaxa has caused injury, disability, and death. As of yet, there has been no recall of the drug.