Pradaxa

August 22, 2016

Possible New Way to Stop Bleeding Disorder Caused by Pradaxa

Patients who suffer from a serious medical condition must take a blood thinner or anticlotting agent to prevent the formation of blood clots that can be deadly. Patients who suffer from deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and various other conditions need to take these medications to prevent potentially deadly medical conditions from occurring.

Blood clotting is an important bodily function. It is a reaction in the body to stop bleeding. This can be from internal bleeding or external bleeding, such as when a person gets a cut on his or finger. People who suffer hemophilia do not clot normally, and this is why even a small cut can lead to serious blood loss. Continue reading

May 25, 2016

A Look at Atrial Fibrillation Treatment Options, Including Pradaxa

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Atrial Fibrillation (Afib) is a serious medical condition that affects about one in ten Americans over the age of 65. If someone suffers from atrial fibrillation, which is defined as an irregular heartbeat not associated with a heart valve defect, they will experience what doctors call “bouts” of the condition.

When a person has a bout of atrial fibrillation, the normal rhythm of the heart that pumps blood throughout the body will stop, and there will be a flutter in the heart that is not effective at pumping blood. At this point, the patient will typically have symptoms such as a very fast heartbeat, shortness of breath, and dizziness. While these symptoms can be uncomfortable and dangerous, the real reason people fear Afib is because it can quickly lead to a stroke when the brain is deprived of blood. Continue reading

March 31, 2016

FDA to Look at Animated Characters in Drug Ads

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Many people have seen the recent advertising campaign for Xifaxan, which features what can only be described as an anthropomorphic intestine with a happy face as part of their new commercials. This is similar to Lunesta using a magical butterfly. Now the makers of Pradaxa using animated red goldfish to sell their drug.

Now, recent news feature from BioPharmaDive, discusses how the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is beginning to look into whether this may lead potential drug users into not taking risks seriously because they are being presented with a lovable cartoon character when being told about the risks.

This is of course in addition to the fact that they have a very soothing voice describing serious and possibly deadly medical conditions in way that almost makes them sound like good things. Continue reading

March 5, 2016

New Reversal Agent for Pradaxa Works on Brain Hemorrhage

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

A recent article from Tech Times discusses the effects of a new reversal agent for the drug Pradaxa on patients suffering from a brain hemorrhage. It is important to note these are brain hemorrhages caused by the drug Pradaxa, which is a relatively new type of anticoagulant medication.

When patients take Pradaxa, we now know there is a significant risk they they will develop a serious internal bleeding disorder than includes possible intracranial bleeding, which is also known as brain hemorrhage. There is no known way to determine which patients will develop the serious bleeding disorder, as risk factors are not known in the event that there are any. Continue reading

December 31, 2015

FDA Approves Pradaxa for Hip Replacement Patients

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Pradaxa is a medication used to reduce the risk of serious clotting disorder in patients who suffer from a potentially serious medical condition known as atrial fibrillation (Afib). Afib patients are at higher risk for forming large blood clots deep within the veins on their legs and other extremities. These blood clots can form in the legs and then break lose and travel through a patient’s circulatory system, which is another deadly medical condition, know as Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT).

When a DVT clot travels through the circulatory system, it can become lodged in the lungs and tear a hole known as a pulmonary embolism (PE) or block the blood to the brain, causing a stroke. To reduce this risk, patients need either a traditional blood thinner like warfarin (Coumadin) or one of the new anticoagulants like Pradaxa, Eliquis, Xarelto, or Savaysa. Continue reading

November 4, 2015

Watchdog Claims FDA “lax” When Reviewing Blood Thinner Pradaxa

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

According to a recent news article from the Washington Post, a federal watch group reports the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) exercised “lax” judgment and made “questionable” decisions to be accommodating to the pharmaceutical maker Boehringer Ingelheim when reviewing its application for the anticlotting medication known as Pradaxa.

Some of the specific claims were that FDA set loose safety standards for use during the drug company’s human clinical trials for Pradaxa and also that FDA did not require manufacturer to provide a complete and appropriate warning to prospective patients about the health risks of Pradaxa. Continue reading

October 25, 2015

FDA Approves Antidote for Pradaxa

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Pradaxa, like Xarelto and Eliquis have taken the blood thinner/anticoagulant market by storm in recent years as an alternative to the tried and true blood thinner Warfarin (Coumadin). These drugs were designed to treat patients with an irregular heartbeat condition known as atrial fibrillation (Afib).

Afib patients are at a high risk of developing large blood clots, which can form within the veins deep within the legs. This is a serious and potentially deadly medical condition known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The clots can break free from the veins in which they formed and travel through the circulatory system to the lungs where they can cause a hole known as a pulmonary embolism (PE). They clots can also block blood flow to the brain resulting in a stroke. Continue reading