Pharmacy Daily | Pradaxa on the RADAR

THE oral anticoagulant Pradaxa (dabigatran) may be more convenient than warfarin in patients with atrial fibrillation because it does not require dose titration or regular monitoring. The comments come as part of this month’s NPS RADAR, which examines the current use of dabigatran and its potential future. Designed to prevent stroke or systemic embolism in people with non-valvular atrial fibrillaton, at present dabigatran is only available on private prescription for this indication. Currently Pradaxa is PBS listed for short-term prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism after hip or knee replacement surgery. In its investigation the NPS cites a large clinical trial into Pradaxa as an alternative to warfarin in atrial fibrillation. According to the results dabigatran 150mg twice daily reduced the absolute risk of stroke by 0.6% per annum compared with dose-adjusted warfarin. Also, the overall rate of major bleeding did not differ between the two treatment groups, whilst participants taking 110mg Pradaxa twice daily were at similar risk of stroke or systemic embolism as those receiving warfarin.

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