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PRADAXA®
(dabigatran etexilate mesylate) Capsules, for Oral Use
WARNING
(A) PREMATURE DISCONTINUATION OF PRADAXA INCREASES THE RISK OF THROMBOTIC EVENTS, and (B) SPINAL/EPIDURAL HEMATOMA
Premature discontinuation of any oral anticoagulant, including PRADAXA, increases the risk of thrombotic events. If anticoagulation with PRADAXA is discontinued for a reason other than pathological bleeding or completion of a course of therapy, consider coverage with another anticoagulant [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION and WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Epidural or spinal hematomas may occur in patients treated with PRADAXA who are receiving neuraxial anesthesia or undergoing spinal puncture. These hematomas may result in long-term or permanent paralysis. Consider these risks when scheduling patients for spinal procedures. Factors that can increase the risk of developing epidural or spinal hematomas in these patients include:
Monitor patients frequently for signs and symptoms of neurological impairment. If neurological compromise is noted, urgent treatment is necessary [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Consider the benefits and risks before neuraxial intervention in patients anticoagulated or to be anticoagulated [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
The chemical name for dabigatran etexilate mesylate, a direct thrombin inhibitor, is β-Alanine, N-[[2-[[[4-[[[(hexyloxy)carbonyl]amino]iminomethyl] phenyl]amino]methyl]-1-methyl-1H-benzimidazol-5-yl]carbonyl]-N-2-pyridinyl-,ethyl ester, methanesulfonate. The empirical formulais C34H41N7O5 • CH4O3S and the molecular weight is 723.86 (mesylate salt), 627.75 (free base). The structural formula is:
 |
Dabigatran etexilate mesylate is a yellow-white to yellow powder. A saturated solution in pure water has a solubility of 1.8 mg/mL. It is freely soluble in methanol, slightly soluble in ethanol, and sparingly soluble in isopropanol.
PRADAXA capsules are supplied in 75, 110, and 150 mg strengths for oral administration. Each capsule contains dabigatran etexilate mesylate as the active ingredient: 172.95 mg dabigatran etexilate mesylate (equivalent to 150 mg dabigatran etexilate), 126.83 mg dabigatran etexilate mesylate (equivalent to 110 mg dabigatran etexilate), or 86.48 mg dabigatran etexilate mesylate (equivalent to 75 mg dabigatran etexilate) along with the following inactive ingredients: acacia, dimethicone, hypromellose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, talc, and tartaric acid. The capsule shell is composed of carrageenan, hypromellose, potassium chloride, titanium dioxide, black edible ink, and FD&C Blue No. 2 (150 mg and 110 mg capsules only).
PRADAXA is indicated to reduce the risk of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation.
PRADAXA is indicated for the treatment of deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in patients who have been treated with a parenteral anticoagulant for 5-10 days.
PRADAXA is indicated to reduce the risk of recurrence of deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in patients who have been previously treated.
PRADAXA is indicated for the prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, in patients who have undergone hip replacement surgery.
| Indication | Dosage |
| Reduction in Risk of Stroke and Systemic Embolism in Non-valvular AF | CrCl >30 mL/min: 150 mg twice daily |
| CrCl 15 to 30 mL/min: 75 mg twice daily | |
| CrCl <15 mL/min or on dialysis: Dosing recommendations cannot be provided | |
| CrCl 30 to 50 mL/min with concomitant use of P-gp inhibitors: Reduce dose to 75 mg twice daily if given with P-gp inhibitors dronedarone or systemic ketoconazole. | |
| CrCl <30 mL/min with concomitant use of P-gp inhibitors: Avoid co-administration | |
| Treatment of DVT and PE | CrCl >30 mL/min: 150 mg twice daily |
| Reduction in the Risk of Recurrence of DVT and PE | CrCl ≤30 mL/min or on Dosing recommendations cannot be dialysis: provided |
| CrCl <50 mL/min with Avoid co-administration concomitant use of P-gp inhibitors: | |
| Prophylaxis of DVT and PE Following Hip Replacement Surgery | CrCl >30 mL/min: 110 mg for first day, then 220 mg once daily |
| CrCl ≤30 mL/min or on Dosing recommendations cannot be dialysis: provided | |
| CrCl <50 mL/min with Avoid co-administration concomitant use of P-gp inhibitors: |
For patients with creatinine clearance (CrCl) >30 mL/min, the recommended dose of PRADAXA is 150 mg taken orally, twice daily. For patients with severe renal impairment (CrCl 15-30 mL/min), the recommended dose of PRADAXA is 75 mg twice daily [see Use In Specific Populations and CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY]. Dosing recommendations for patients with a CrCl <15 mL/min or on dialysis cannot be provided.
For patients with CrCl >30 mL/min, the recommended dose of PRADAXA is 150 mg taken orally, twice daily, after 5-10 days of parenteral anticoagulation. Dosing recommendations for patients with a CrCl ≤30 mL/min or on dialysis cannot be provided [see Use In Specific Populations and CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].
For patients with CrCl >30 mL/min, the recommended dose of PRADAXA is 150 mg taken orally, twice daily after previous treatment. Dosing recommendations for patients with a CrCl ≤30 mL/min or on dialysis cannot be provided [see Use In Specific Populations and CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].
For patients with CrCl >30 mL/min, the recommended dose of PRADAXA is 110 mg taken orally 1-4 hours after surgery and after hemostasis has been achieved, then 220 mg taken once daily for 28-35 days. If PRADAXA is not started on the day of surgery, after hemostasis has been achieved initiate treatment with 220 mg once daily. Dosing recommendations for patients with a CrCl ≤30 mL/min or on dialysis cannot be provided [see Use In Specific Populations and CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].
Assess renal function prior to initiation of treatment with PRADAXA. Periodically assess renal function as clinically indicated (i.e., more frequently in clinical situations that may be associated with a decline in renal function) and adjust therapy accordingly. Discontinue PRADAXA in patients who develop acute renal failure while on PRADAXA and consider alternative anticoagulant therapy.
Generally, the extent of anticoagulation does not need to be assessed. When necessary, use aPTT or ECT, and not INR, to assess for anticoagulant activity in patients on PRADAXA [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS and CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].
In patients with moderate renal impairment (CrCl 30-50 mL/min), concomitant use of the P-gp inhibitor dronedarone or systemic ketoconazole can be expected to produce dabigatran exposure similar to that observed in severe renal impairment. Reduce the dose of PRADAXA to 75 mg twice daily [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, DRUG INTERACTIONS and CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].
Dosing recommendations for patients with CrCl ≤30 mL/min cannot be provided. Avoid use of concomitant P-gp inhibitors in patients with CrCl <50 mL/min [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, DRUG INTERACTIONS and CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].
Dosing recommendations for patients with CrCl ≤30 mL/min or on dialysis cannot be provided. Avoid use of concomitant P-gp inhibitors in patients with CrCl <50 mL/min [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, DRUG INTERACTIONS and CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].
Instruct patients to swallow the capsules whole. PRADAXA should be taken with a full glass of water. Breaking, chewing, or emptying the contents of the capsule can result in increased exposure [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].
If a dose of PRADAXA is not taken at the scheduled time, the dose should be taken as soon as possible on the same day; the missed dose should be skipped if it cannot be taken at least 6 hours before the next scheduled dose. The dose of PRADAXA should not be doubled to make up for a missed dose.
When converting patients from warfarin therapy to PRADAXA, discontinue warfarin and start PRADAXA when the INR is below 2.0.
When converting from PRADAXA to warfarin, adjust the starting time of warfarin based on creatinine clearance as follows:
Because PRADAXA can increase INR, the INR will better reflect warfarin’s effect only after PRADAXA has been stopped for at least 2 days [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].
For patients currently receiving a parenteral anticoagulant, start PRADAXA 0 to 2 hours before the time that the next dose of the parenteral drug was to have been administered or at the time of discontinuation of a continuously administered parenteral drug (e.g., intravenous unfractionated heparin).
For patients currently taking PRADAXA, wait 12 hours (CrCl ≥30 mL/min) or 24 hours (CrCl <30 mL/min) after the last dose of PRADAXA before initiating treatment with a parenteral anticoagulant [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].
If possible, discontinue PRADAXA 1 to 2 days (CrCl ≥50 mL/min) or 3 to 5 days (CrCl <50 mL/min) before invasive or surgical procedures because of the increased risk of bleeding. Consider longer times for patients undergoing major surgery, spinal puncture, or placement of a spinal or epidural catheter or port, in whom complete hemostasis may be required [see Use In Specific Populations and CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].
If surgery cannot be delayed, there is an increased risk of bleeding [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]. This risk of bleeding should be weighed against the urgency of intervention [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]. Use a specific reversal agent (idarucizumab) in case of emergency surgery or urgent procedures when reversal of the anticoagulant effect of dabigatran is needed. Refer to the idarucizumab prescribing information for additional information. Restart PRADAXA as soon as medically appropriate.
150 mg capsules with a light blue opaque cap imprinted in black with the Boehringer Ingelheim company symbol and a white opaque body imprinted in black with “R150”.
110 mg capsules with a light blue opaque cap imprinted in black with the Boehringer Ingelheim company symbol and a light blue opaque body imprinted in black with “R110”.
75 mg capsules with a white opaque cap imprinted in black with the Boehringer Ingelheim company symbol and a white opaque body imprinted in black with “R75”.
PRADAXA 75 mg capsules have a white opaque cap imprinted with the Boehringer Ingelheim company symbol and a white opaque body imprinted with “R75”. The color of the imprinting is black. The capsules are supplied in the packages listed:
NDC 0597-0355-09 Unit of use bottle of 60 capsules
NDC 0597-0355-56 Blister package containing 60 capsules
(10 x 6 capsule blister cards)
PRADAXA 110 mg capsules have a light blue opaque cap imprinted with the Boehringer Ingelheim company symbol and a light blue opaque body imprinted with “R110”. The color of the imprinting is black. The capsules are supplied in the packages listed:
NDC 0597-0108-54 Unit of use bottle of 60 capsules
NDC 0597-0108-60 Blister package containing 60 capsules
(10 x 6 capsule blister cards)
PRADAXA 150 mg capsules have a light blue opaque cap imprinted with the Boehringer Ingelheim company symbol and a white opaque body imprinted with “R150”. The color of the imprinting is black. The capsules are supplied in the packages listed:
NDC 0597-0360-55 Unit of use bottle of 60 capsules
NDC 0597-0360-82 Blister package containing 60 capsules
(10 x 6 capsule blister cards)
Store at 25°C (77°F); excursions permitted to 15° to 30°C (59° to 86°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature]. Once opened, the product must be used within 4 months. Keep the bottle tightly closed. Store in the original package to protect from moisture.
Store at 25°C (77°F); excursions permitted to 15° to 30°C (59° to 86°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature]. Store in the original package to protect from moisture.
Keep out of the reach of children.
Distributed by: Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Ridgefield, CT 06877 USA. Revised: Mar 2018
The following serious adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling:
Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reactions rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.
The RE-LY (Randomized Evaluation of Long-term Anticoagulant Therapy) study provided safety information on the use of two doses of PRADAXA and warfarin [see Clinical Studies]. The numbers of patients and their exposures are described in Table 1. Limited information is presented on the 110 mg dosing arm because this dose is not approved.
Table 1 : Summary of Treatment Exposure in RE-LY
| PRADAXA 110 mg twice daily | PRADAXA 150 mg twice daily | Warfarin | |
| Total number treated | 5983 | 6059 | 5998 |
| Exposure | |||
| > 12 months | 4936 | 4939 | 5193 |
| > 24 months | 2387 | 2405 | 2470 |
| Mean exposure (months) | 20.5 | 20.3 | 21.3 |
| Total patient-years | 10,242 | 10,261 | 10,659 |
The rates of adverse reactions leading to treatment discontinuation were 21% for PRADAXA 150 mg and 16% for warfarin. The most frequent adverse reactions leading to discontinuation of PRADAXA were bleeding and gastrointestinal events (i.e., dyspepsia, nausea, upper abdominal pain, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, and diarrhea).
[see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
Table 2 shows the number of adjudicated major bleeding events during the treatment period in the RE-LY study, with the bleeding rate per 100 subject-years (%). Major bleeding is defined as bleeding accompanied by one or more of the following: a decrease in hemoglobin of ≥2 g/dL, a transfusion of ≥2 units of packed red blood cells, bleeding at a critical site or with a fatal outcome. Intracranial hemorrhage included intracerebral (hemorrhagic stroke), subarachnoid, and subdural bleeds.
Table 2 : Adjudicated Major Bleeding Events in Treated
Patientsa
| Event | PRADAXA 150 mg N = 6059 n (%/yearb) |
Warfarin N = 5998 n (%/yearb) |
PRADAXA 150 mg vs. Warfarin HR (95% CI) |
| Major Bleedingc | 350 (3.47) | 374 (3.58) | 0.97 (0.84, 1.12) |
| Intracranial Hemorrhage (ICH)d | 23 (0.22) | 82 (0.77) | 0.29 (0.18, 0.46) |
| Hemorrhagic Strokee | 6 (0.06) | 40 (0.37) | 0.16 (0.07, 0.37) |
| Other ICH | 17 (0.17) | 46 (0.43) | 0.38 (0.22, 0.67) |
| Gastrointestinal | 162 (1.59) | 111 (1.05) | 1.51 (1.19, 1.92) |
| Fatal Bleedingf, | 7 (0.07) | 16 (0.15) | 0.45 (0.19, 1.10) |
| ICH | 3 (0.03) | 9 (0.08) | 0.35 (0.09, 1.28) |
| Non-intracranialg | 4 (0.04) | 7 (0.07) | 0.59 (0.17, 2.02) |
| aPatients during treatment or within 2 days of
stopping study treatment. Major bleeding events within each subcategory were
counted once per patient, but patients may have contributed events to multiple
subcategories. bAnnual event rate per 100 pt-years = 100 * number of subjects with event/subject-years. Subject-years is defined as cumulative number of days from first drug intake to event date, date of last drug intake + 2, death date (whatever occurred first) across all treated subjects divided by 365.25. In case of recurrent events of the same category, the first event was considered. cDefined as bleeding accompanied by one or more of the following: a decrease in hemoglobin of ≥2 g/dL, a transfusion of 2 or more units of packed red blood cells, bleeding at a critical site or with fatal outcome. dIntracranial bleed included intracerebral (hemorrhagic stroke), subarachnoid, and subdural bleeds. eOn-treatment analysis based on the safety population, compared to ITT analysis presented in Section 14 Clinical Studies. fFatal bleed: Adjudicated major bleed as defined above with investigator reported fatal outcome and adjudicated death with primary cause from bleeding. gNon-intracranial fatal bleed: Adjudicated major bleed as defined above and adjudicated death with primary cause from bleeding but without symptomatic intracranial bleed based on investigator's clinical assessment. |
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There was a higher rate of any gastrointestinal bleeds in patients receiving PRADAXA 150 mg than in patients receiving warfarin (6.6% vs. 4.2%, respectively).
The risk of major bleeds was similar with PRADAXA 150 mg and warfarin across major subgroups defined by baseline characteristics (see Figure 1), with the exception of age, where there was a trend towards a higher incidence of major bleeding on PRADAXA (hazard ratio 1.2, 95% CI: 1.0 to 1.5) for patients ≥75 years of age.
Figure 1 : Adjudicated Major
Bleeding by Baseline Characteristics Including Hemorrhagic Stroke Treated
Patients
 |
Note: The figure above presents effects in various subgroups all of which are baseline characteristics and all of which were pre-specified. The 95% confidence limits that are shown do not take into account how many comparisons were made, nor do they reflect the effect of a particular factor after adjustment for all other factors. Apparent homogeneity or heterogeneity among groups should not be over-interpreted.
Patients on PRADAXA 150 mg had an increased incidence of gastrointestinal adverse reactions (35% vs. 24% on warfarin). These were commonly dyspepsia (including abdominal pain upper, abdominal pain, abdominal discomfort, and epigastric discomfort) and gastritis-like symptoms (including GERD, esophagitis, erosive gastritis, gastric hemorrhage, hemorrhagic gastritis, hemorrhagic erosive gastritis, and gastrointestinal ulcer).
In the RE-LY study, drug hypersensitivity (including urticaria, rash, and pruritus), allergic edema, anaphylactic reaction, and anaphylactic shock were reported in <0.1% of patients receiving PRADAXA.
PRADAXA was studied in 4387 patients in 4 pivotal, parallel, randomized, double-blind trials. Three of these trials were active-controlled (warfarin) (RE-COVER, RE-COVER II, and RE-MEDY), and one study (RE-SONATE) was placebo-controlled. The demographic characteristics were similar among the 4 pivotal studies and between the treatment groups within these studies. Approximately 60% of the treated patients were male, with a mean age of 55.1 years. The majority of the patients were white (87.7%), 10.3% were Asian, and 1.9% were black with a mean CrCl of 105.6 mL/min.
Bleeding events for the 4 pivotal studies were classified as major bleeding events if at least one of the following criteria applied: fatal bleeding, symptomatic bleeding in a critical area or organ (intraocular, intracranial, intraspinal or intramuscular with compartment syndrome, retroperitoneal bleeding, intra-articular bleeding, or pericardial bleeding), bleeding causing a fall in hemoglobin level of 2.0 g/dL (1.24 mmol/L or more, or leading to transfusion of 2 or more units of whole blood or red cells).
RE-COVER and RE-COVER II studies compared PRADAXA 150 mg twice daily and warfarin for the treatment of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Patients received 5-10 days of an approved parenteral anticoagulant therapy followed by 6 months, with mean exposure of 164 days, of oral only treatment; warfarin was overlapped with parenteral therapy. Table 3 shows the number of patients experiencing bleeding events in the pooled analysis of RE-COVER and RE-COVER II studies during the full treatment including parenteral and oral only treatment periods after randomization.
Table 3 : Bleeding Events in
RE-COVER and RE-COVER II Treated Patients
| Patients | Bleeding Events-Full Treatment Period Including Parenteral Treatment | ||
| PRADAXA 150 mg twice daily N (%) N=2553 |
Warfarin N (%) N=2554 |
Hazard Ratio (95% CI)c | |
| Major bleeding eventa | 37 (1.4) | 51 (2.0) | 0.73 (0.48, 1.11) |
| Fatal bleeding | 1 (0.04) | 2 (0.1) | |
| Bleeding in a critical area or organ | 7 (0.3) | 15 (0.6) | |
| Fall in hemoglobin ≥2 g/dL or transfusion ≥2 units of whole blood or packed red blood cells | 32 (1.3) | 38 (1.5) | |
| Bleeding sites for MBEb | |||
| Intracranial | 2 (0.1) | 5 (0.2) | |
| Retroperitoneal | 2 (0.1) | 1 (0.04) | |
| Intraarticular | 2 (0.1) | 4 (0.2) | |
| Intramuscular | 2 (0.1) | 6 (0.2) | |
| Gastrointestinal | 15 (0.6) | 14 (0.5) | |
| Urogenital | 7 (0.3) | 14 (0.5) | |
| Other | 8 (0.3) | 8 (0.3) | |
| Clinically relevant non-major bleeding | 101 (4.0) | 170 (6.7) | 0.58 (0.46, 0.75) |
| Any bleeding | 411 (16.1) | 567 (22.7) | 0.70 (0.61, 0.79) |
| Note: MBE can belong to more than one criterion. aPatients with at least one MBE. bBleeding site based on investigator assessment. Patients can have more than one site of bleeding. cConfidence interval |
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The rate of any gastrointestinal bleeds in patients receiving PRADAXA 150 mg in the full treatment period was 3.1% (2.4% on warfarin).
The RE-MEDY and RE-SONATE studies provided safety information on the use of PRADAXA for the reduction in the risk of recurrence of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.
RE-MEDY was an active-controlled study (warfarin) in which 1430 patients received PRADAXA 150 mg twice daily following 3 to 12 months of oral anticoagulant regimen. Patients in the treatment studies who rolled over into the RE-MEDY study had a combined treatment duration of up to more than 3 years, with mean exposure of 473 days. Table 4 shows the number of patients experiencing bleeding events in the study.
Table 4 : Bleeding Events in
RE-MEDY Treated Patients
| Patients | PRADAXA 150 mg twice daily N (%) N=1430 |
Warfarin N (%) N=1426 |
Hazard Ratio (95% CI)c |
| Major bleeding eventa | 13 (0.9) | 25 (1.8) | 0.54 (0.25, 1.16) |
| Fatal bleeding | 0 | 1 (0.1) | |
| Bleeding in a critical area or organ | 7 (0.5) | 11 (0.8) | |
| Fall in hemoglobin ≥2 g/dL or transfusion ≥2 units of whole blood or packed red blood cells | 7 (0.5) | 16 (1.1) | |
| Bleeding sites for MBEb | |||
| Intracranial | 2 (0.1) | 4 (0.3) | |
| Intraocular | 4 (0.3) | 2 (0.1) | |
| Retroperitoneal | 0 | 1 (0.1) | |
| Intraarticular | 0 | 2 (0.1) | |
| Intramuscular | 0 | 4 (0.3) | |
| Gastrointestinal | 4 (0.3) | 8 (0.6) | |
| Urogenital | 1 (0.1) | 1 (0.1) | |
| Other | 2 (0.1) | 4 (0.3) | |
| Clinically relevant non-major bleeding | 71 (5.0) | 125 (8.8) | 0.56 (0.42, 0.75) |
| Any bleeding | 278 (19.4) | 373 (26.2) | 0.71 (0.61, 0.83) |
| Note: MBE can belong to more than one criterion. aPatients with at least one MBE. bBleeding site based on investigator assessment. Patients can have more than one site of bleeding. cConfidence interval |
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In the RE-MEDY study, the rate of any gastrointestinal bleeds in patients receiving PRADAXA 150 mg was 3.1% (2.2% on warfarin).
RE-SONATE was a placebo-controlled study in which 684 patients received PRADAXA 150 mg twice daily following 6 to 18 months of oral anticoagulant regimen. Patients in the treatment studies who rolled over into the RE-SONATE study had combined treatment duration up to 9 months, with mean exposure of 165 days. Table 5 shows the number of patients experiencing bleeding events in the study.
Table 5 : Bleeding Events in
RE-SONATE Treated Patients
| Patients | PRADAXA 150 mg twice daily N (%) N=684 |
Placebo N (%) N=659 |
Hazard Ratio (95% CI)c |
| Major bleeding eventa | 2 (0.3) | 0 | |
| Bleeding in a critical area or organ | 0 | 0 | |
| Gastrointestinalb | 2 (0.3) | 0 | |
| Clinically relevant non-major bleeding | 34 (5.0) | 13 (2.0) | 2.54 (1.34, 4.82) |
| Any bleeding | 72 (10.5) | 40 (6.1) | 1.77 (1.20, 2.61) |
| Note: MBE can belong to more than one criterion. aPatients with at least one MBE. bBleeding site based on investigator assessment. Patients can have more than one site of bleeding. cConfidence interval |
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In the RE-SONATE study, the rate of any gastrointestinal bleeds in patients receiving PRADAXA 150 mg was 0.7% (0.3% on placebo).
In the active-controlled VTE studies, a higher rate of clinical myocardial infarction was reported in patients who received PRADAXA [20 (0.66 per 100 patient-years)] than in those who received warfarin [5 (0.17 per 100 patient-years)]. In the placebo-controlled study, a similar rate of non-fatal and fatal clinical myocardial infarction was reported in patients who received PRADAXA [1 (0.32 per 100 patient-years)] and in those who received placebo [1 (0.34 per 100 patient-years)].
In the four pivotal studies, patients on PRADAXA 150 mg had a similar incidence of gastrointestinal adverse reactions (24.7% vs. 22.7% on warfarin). Dyspepsia (including abdominal pain upper, abdominal pain, abdominal discomfort, and epigastric discomfort) occurred in patients on PRADAXA in 7.5% vs. 5.5% on warfarin, and gastritis-like symptoms (including gastritis, GERD, esophagitis, erosive gastritis and gastric hemorrhage) occurred at 3.0% vs. 1.7%, respectively.
In the 4 pivotal studies, drug hypersensitivity (including urticaria, rash, and pruritus), allergic edema, anaphylactic reaction, and anaphylactic shock were reported in 0.1% of patients receiving PRADAXA.
PRADAXA was studied in 5476 patients, randomized and treated in two double-blind, active-controlled non-inferiority trials (RE-NOVATE and RE-NOVATE II). The demographic characteristics were similar across the two studies and between the treatment groups within these studies. Approximately 45.3 % of the treated patients were male, with a mean age of 63.2 years. The majority of the patients were white (96.1%), 3.6% were Asian, and 0.3% were black with a mean CrCl of 92 mL/min.
Bleeding events for the RE-NOVATE and RE-NOVATE II studies were classified as major bleeding events if at least one of the following criteria applied: fatal bleeding, symptomatic bleeding in a critical area or organ (intraocular, intracranial, intraspinal or retroperitoneal bleeding), bleeding causing a fall in hemoglobin level of 2.0 g/dL (1.24 mmol/L) or more, or leading to transfusion of 2 or more units of whole blood or red cells, requiring treatment cessation or leading to re-operation.
The RE-NOVATE study compared PRADAXA 75 mg taken orally 1-4 hours after surgery followed by 150 mg once daily, PRADAXA 110 mg taken orally 1-4 hours after surgery followed by 220 mg once daily and subcutaneous enoxaparin 40 mg once daily initiated the evening before surgery for the prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in patients who had undergone hip replacement surgery. The RE-NOVATE II study compared PRADAXA 110 mg taken orally 1-4 hours after surgery followed by 220 mg once daily and subcutaneous enoxaparin 40 mg once daily initiated the evening before surgery for the prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in patients who had undergone hip replacement surgery. In the RE-NOVATE and RE-NOVATE II studies, patients received 28-35 days of PRADAXA or enoxaparin with median exposure of 33 days. Tables 6 and 7 show the number of patients experiencing bleeding events in the analysis of RE-NOVATE and RE-NOVATE II.
Table 6 : Bleeding Events in
RE-NOVATE Treated Patients
| Patients | PRADAXA 220 mg N (%) N=1146 |
Enoxaparin N (%) N=1154 |
| Major bleeding event | 23 (2.0) | 18 (1.6) |
| Clinically relevant non-major bleeding | 48 (4.2) | 40 (3.5) |
| Any bleeding | 141 (12.3) | 132 (11.4) |
Table 7 : Bleeding Events in RE-NOVATE II Treated Patients
| Patients | PRADAXA 220 mg N (%) N=1010 |
Enoxaparin N (%) N=1003 |
| Major bleeding event | 14 (1.4) | 9 (0.9) |
| Clinically relevant non-major bleeding | 26 (2.6) | 20 (2.0) |
| Any bleeding | 98 (9.7) | 83 (8.3) |
In the two studies, the rate of major gastrointestinal bleeds in patients receiving PRADAXA and enoxaparin was the same (0.1%) and for any gastrointestinal bleeds was 1.4% for PRADAXA 220 mg and 0.9% for enoxaparin.
In the two studies, the incidence of gastrointestinal adverse reactions for patients on PRADAXA 220 mg and enoxaparin was 39.5% and 39.5%, respectively. Dyspepsia (including abdominal pain upper, abdominal pain, abdominal discomfort, and epigastric discomfort) occurred in patients on PRADAXA 220 mg in 4.1% vs. 3.8% on enoxaparin, and gastritis-like symptoms (including gastritis, GERD, esophagitis, erosive gastritis and gastric hemorrhage) occurred at 0.6% vs. 1.0%, respectively.
In the two studies, drug hypersensitivity (such as urticaria, rash, and pruritus) was reported in 0.3% of patients receiving PRADAXA 220 mg.
In the two studies, clinical myocardial infarction was reported in 2 (0.1%) of patients who received PRADAXA 220 mg and 6 (0.3%) of patients who received enoxaparin.
The following adverse reactions have been identified during post approval use of PRADAXA. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. The following adverse reactions have been identified during post approval use of PRADAXA: angioedema, thrombocytopenia, esophageal ulcer.
The concomitant use of PRADAXA with P-gp inducers (e.g., rifampin) reduces exposure to dabigatran and should generally be avoided [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].
P-gp inhibition and impaired renal function are the major independent factors that result in increased exposure to dabigatran [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY]. Concomitant use of P-gp inhibitors in patients with renal impairment is expected to produce increased exposure of dabigatran compared to that seen with either factor alone.
In patients with moderate renal impairment (CrCl 30-50 mL/min), reduce the dose of PRADAXA to 75 mg twice daily when administered concomitantly with the P-gp inhibitors dronedarone or systemic ketoconazole. The use of the P-gp inhibitors verapamil, amiodarone, quinidine, clarithromycin, and ticagrelor does not require a dose adjustment of PRADAXA. These results should not be extrapolated to other P-gp inhibitors [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, Use In Specific Populations, and CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].
The concomitant use of PRADAXA and P-gp inhibitors in patients with severe renal impairment (CrCl 15-30 mL/min) should be avoided [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, Use In Specific Populations, and CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].
Avoid use of PRADAXA and P-gp inhibitors in patients with CrCl <50 mL/min [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, Use In Specific Populations, and CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].
In patients with CrCl ≥50 mL/min who have concomitant administration of P-gp inhibitors such as dronedarone or systemic ketoconazole, it may be helpful to separate the timing of administration of dabigatran and the P-gp inhibitor by several hours. The concomitant use of PRADAXA and P-gp inhibitors in patients with CrCl <50 mL/min should be avoided [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, Use In Specific Populations and CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].
Included as part of the PRECAUTIONS section.
Premature discontinuation of any oral anticoagulant, including PRADAXA, in the absence of adequate alternative anticoagulation increases the risk of thrombotic events. If PRADAXA is discontinued for a reason other than pathological bleeding or completion of a course of therapy, consider coverage with another anticoagulant and restart PRADAXA as soon as medically appropriate [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION].
PRADAXA increases the risk of bleeding and can cause significant and, sometimes, fatal bleeding. Promptly evaluate any signs or symptoms of blood loss (e.g., a drop in hemoglobin and/or hematocrit or hypotension). Discontinue PRADAXA in patients with active pathological bleeding [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION].
Risk factors for bleeding include the concomitant use of other drugs that increase the risk of bleeding (e.g., anti-platelet agents, heparin, fibrinolytic therapy, and chronic use of NSAIDs). PRADAXA’s anticoagulant activity and half-life are increased in patients with renal impairment [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].
A specific reversal agent (idarucizumab) for dabigatran is available when reversal of the anticoagulant effect of dabigatran is needed:
Hemodialysis can remove dabigatran; however the clinical experience supporting the use of hemodialysis as a treatment for bleeding is limited [see OVERDOSAGE]. Prothrombin complex concentrates, or recombinant Factor VIIa may be considered but their use has not been evaluated in clinical trials. Protamine sulfate and vitamin K are not expected to affect the anticoagulant activity of dabigatran. Consider administration of platelet concentrates in cases where thrombocytopenia is present or long-acting antiplatelet drugs have been used.
When neuraxial anesthesia (spinal/epidural anesthesia) or spinal puncture is employed, patients treated with anticoagulant agents are at risk of developing an epidural or spinal hematoma which can result in long-term or permanent paralysis [see BOXED WARNING].
To reduce the potential risk of bleeding associated with the concurrent use of dabigatran and epidural or spinal anesthesia/analgesia or spinal puncture, consider the pharmacokinetic profile of dabigatran [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY]. Placement or removal of an epidural catheter or lumbar puncture is best performed when the anticoagulant effect of dabigatran is low; however, the exact timing to reach a sufficiently low anticoagulant effect in each patient is not known.
Should the physician decide to administer anticoagulation in the context of epidural or spinal anesthesia/analgesia or lumbar puncture, monitor frequently to detect any signs or symptoms of neurological impairment, such as midline back pain, sensory and motor deficits (numbness, tingling, or weakness in lower limbs), bowel and/or bladder dysfunction. Instruct patients to immediately report if they experience any of the above signs or symptoms. If signs or symptoms of spinal hematoma are suspected, initiate urgent diagnosis and treatment including consideration for spinal cord decompression even though such treatment may not prevent or reverse neurological sequelae.
The safety and efficacy of PRADAXA in patients with bileaflet mechanical prosthetic heart valves was evaluated in the RE-ALIGN trial, in which patients with bileaflet mechanical prosthetic heart valves (recently implanted or implanted more than three months prior to enrollment) were randomized to dose adjusted warfarin or 150, 220, or 300 mg of PRADAXA twice a day. RE-ALIGN was terminated early due to the occurrence of significantly more thromboembolic events (valve thrombosis, stroke, transient ischemic attack, and myocardial infarction) and an excess of major bleeding (predominantly post-operative pericardial effusions requiring intervention for hemodynamic compromise) in the PRADAXA treatment arm as compared to the warfarin treatment arm. These bleeding and thromboembolic events were seen both in patients who were initiated on PRADAXA post-operatively within three days of mechanical bileaflet valve implantation, as well as in patients whose valves had been implanted more than three months prior to enrollment. Therefore, the use of PRADAXA is contraindicated in patients with mechanical prosthetic valves [see CONTRAINDICATIONS].
The use of PRADAXA for the prophylaxis of thromboembolic events in patients with atrial fibrillation in the setting of other forms of valvular heart disease, including the presence of a bioprosthetic heart valve, has not been studied and is not recommended.
The concomitant use of PRADAXA with P-gp inducers (e.g., rifampin) reduces exposure to dabigatran and should generally be avoided [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].
P-gp inhibition and impaired renal function are the major independent factors that result in increased exposure to dabigatran [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY]. Concomitant use of P-gp inhibitors in patients with renal impairment is expected to produce increased exposure of dabigatran compared to that seen with either factor alone.
Reduce the dose of PRADAXA to 75 mg twice daily when dronedarone or systemic ketoconazole is coadministered with PRADAXA in patients with moderate renal impairment (CrCl 30-50 mL/min). Avoid use of PRADAXA and P-gp inhibitors in patients with severe renal impairment (CrCl 15-30 mL/min) [see DRUG INTERACTIONS and Use In Specific Populations].
Avoid use of PRADAXA and concomitant P-gp inhibitors in patients with CrCl <50 mL/min [see DRUG INTERACTIONS and Use In Specific Populations].
Avoid use of PRADAXA and concomitant P-gp inhibitors in patients with CrCl <50 mL/min [see DRUG INTERACTIONS and Use In Specific Populations].
Advise the patient to read the FDA-approved patient labeling (Medication Guide).
Inform patients that they may bleed more easily, may bleed longer, and should call their health care provider for any signs or symptoms of bleeding.
Instruct patients to seek emergency care right away if they have any of the following, which may be a sign or symptom of serious bleeding:
Instruct patients to call their health care provider or to get prompt medical attention if they experience any signs or symptoms of bleeding:
If patients have had neuraxial anesthesia or spinal puncture, and particularly, if they are taking concomitant NSAIDs or platelet inhibitors, advise patients to watch for signs and symptoms of spinal or epidural hematoma, such as back pain, tingling, numbness (especially in the lower limbs), muscle weakness, and stool or urine incontinence. If any of these symptoms occur, advise the patient to contact his or her physician immediately [see BOXED WARNING].
Instruct patients to call their health care provider if they experience any signs or symptoms of dyspepsia or gastritis:
Instruct patients to inform their health care provider that they are taking PRADAXA before any invasive procedure (including dental procedures) is scheduled.
Ask patients to list all prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, or dietary supplements they are taking or plan to take so their health care provider knows about other treatments that may affect bleeding risk (e.g., aspirin or NSAIDs) or dabigatran exposure (e.g., dronedarone or systemic ketoconazole).
Instruct patients to inform their health care provider if they will have or have had surgery to place a prosthetic heart valve.
Advise patients to inform their healthcare provider immediately if they become pregnant or intend to become pregnant during treatment with PRADAXA [see Use In Specific Populations].
Advise patients not to breastfeed if they are taking PRADAXA [see Use In Specific Populations].
Dabigatran was not carcinogenic when administered by oral gavage to mice and rats for up to 2 years. The highest doses tested (200 mg/kg/day) in mice and rats were approximately 3.6 and 6 times, respectively, the human exposure at MRHD of 300 mg/day based on AUC comparisons.
Dabigatran was not mutagenic in in vitro tests, including bacterial reversion tests, mouse lymphoma assay and chromosomal aberration assay in human lymphocytes, and the in vivo micronucleus assay in rats.
In the rat fertility study with oral gavage doses of 15, 70, and 200 mg/kg, males were treated for 29 days prior to mating, during mating up to scheduled termination, and females were treated 15 days prior to mating through gestation Day 6. No adverse effects on male or female fertility were observed at 200 mg/kg or 9 to 12 times the human exposure at MRHD of 300 mg/day based on AUC comparisons. However, the number of implantations decreased in females receiving 70 mg/kg, or 3 times the human exposure at MRHD based on AUC comparisons.
The limited available data on PRADAXA use in pregnant women are insufficient to determine drug-associated risks for adverse developmental outcomes. There are risks to the mother associated with untreated venous thromboembolism in pregnancy and a risk of hemorrhage in the mother and fetus associated with the use of anticoagulants (see Clinical Considerations). In pregnant rats treated from implantation until weaning, dabigatran increased the number of dead offspring and caused excess vaginal/uterine bleeding close to parturition at an exposure 2.6 times the human exposure. At a similar exposure, dabigatran decreased the number of implantations when rats were treated prior to mating and up to implantation (gestation Day 6). Dabigatran administered to pregnant rats and rabbits during organogenesis up to exposures 8 and 13 times the human exposure, respectively, did not induce major malformations. However, the incidence of delayed or irregular ossification of fetal skull bones and vertebrae was increased in the rat (see Data).
The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2-4% and 15-20%, respectively.
Disease-Associated Maternal And/Or Embryo/Fetal Risk
Pregnancy confers an increased risk for thromboembolism that is higher for women with underlying thromboembolic disease and certain high-risk pregnancy conditions. Published data describe that women with a previous history of venous thrombosis are at high risk for recurrence during pregnancy.
Fetal/Neonatal Adverse Reaction
Use of anticoagulants, including PRADAXA, may increase the risk of bleeding in the fetus and neonate. Monitor neonates for bleeding [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Labor Or Delivery
All patients receiving anticoagulants, including pregnant women, are at risk for bleeding. PRADAXA use during labor or delivery in women who are receiving neuraxial anesthesia may result in epidural or spinal hematomas. Consider discontinuation or use of shorter acting anticoagulant as delivery approaches [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Animal Data
Dabigatran has been shown to decrease the number of implantations when male and female rats were treated at a dosage of 70 mg/kg (about 2.6 to 3.0 times the human exposure at MRHD of 300 mg/day based on area under the curve [AUC] comparisons) prior to mating and up to implantation (gestation Day 6). Treatment of pregnant rats after implantation with dabigatran at the same dose increased the number of dead offspring and caused excess vaginal/uterine bleeding close to parturition. Dabigatran administered to pregnant rats and rabbits during organogenesis up to maternally toxic doses of 200 mg/kg (8 and 13 times the human exposure, respectively, at a MRHD of 300 mg/day based on AUC comparisons) did not induce major malformations, but increased the incidence of delayed or irregular ossification of fetal skull bones and vertebrae in the rat.
Death of offspring and mother rats during labor in association with uterine bleeding occurred during treatment of pregnant rats from implantation (gestation Day 7) to weaning (lactation Day 21) with dabigatran at a dose of 70 mg/kg (about 2.6 times the human exposure at MRHD of 300 mg/day based on AUC comparisons).
There are no data on the presence of dabigatran in human milk, the effects on the breastfed child, or on milk production. Dabigatran and/or its metabolites were present in rat milk. Breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with PRADAXA.
Safety and effectiveness of PRADAXA in pediatric patients have not been established.
Of the total number of patients in the RE-LY study, 82% were 65 and over, while 40% were 75 and over. The risk of stroke and bleeding increases with age, but the risk-benefit profile is favorable in all age groups [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, ADVERSE REACTIONS, and Clinical Studies].
No dose adjustment of PRADAXA is recommended in patients with mild or moderate renal impairment [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY]. Reduce the dose of PRADAXA in patients with severe renal impairment (CrCl 15-30 mL/min) [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION and CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY]. Dosing recommendations for patients with CrCl <15 mL/min or on dialysis cannot be provided.
Adjust dose appropriately in patients with renal impairment receiving concomitant P-gp inhibitors [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, DRUG INTERACTIONS, and CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].
Patients with severe renal impairment (CrCl ≤30 mL/min) were excluded from RE-COVER.
Dosing recommendations for patients with CrCl ≤30 mL/min or on dialysis cannot be provided. Avoid use of PRADAXA with concomitant P-gp inhibitors in patients with CrCl <50 mL/min [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, DRUG INTERACTIONS, and CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].
Patients with severe renal impairment (CrCl <30 mL/min) were excluded from RE-NOVATE and RE-NOVATE II.
Dosing recommendations for patients with CrCl <30 mL/min or on dialysis cannot be provided.
Avoid use of PRADAXA with concomitant P-gp inhibitors in patients with CrCl <50 mL/min [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, DRUG INTERACTIONS and CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].
Accidental overdose may lead to hemorrhagic complications. In the event of hemorrhagic complications, initiate appropriate clinical support, discontinue treatment with PRADAXA, and investigate the source of bleeding. A specific reversal agent (idarucizumab) is available.
Dabigatran is primarily eliminated by the kidneys with a low plasma protein binding of approximately 35%. Hemodialysis can remove dabigatran; however, data supporting this approach are limited. Using a high-flux dialyzer, blood flow rate of 200 mL/min, and dialysate flow rate of 700 mL/min, approximately 49% of total dabigatran can be cleared from plasma over 4 hours. At the same dialysate flow rate, approximately 57% can be cleared using a dialyzer blood flow rate of 300 mL/min, with no appreciable increase in clearance observed at higher blood flow rates. Upon cessation of hemodialysis, a redistribution effect of approximately 7% to 15% is seen. The effect of dialysis on dabigatran’s plasma concentration would be expected to vary based on patient specific characteristics. Measurement of aPTT or ECT may help guide therapy [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS and CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].
PRADAXA is contraindicated in patients with:
Dabigatran and its acyl glucuronides are competitive, direct thrombin inhibitors. Because thrombin (serine protease) enables the conversion of fibrinogen into fibrin during the coagulation cascade, its inhibition prevents the development of a thrombus. Both free and clot-bound thrombin, and thrombin-induced platelet aggregation are inhibited by the active moieties.
At recommended therapeutic doses, dabigatran etexilate prolongs the coagulation markers such as aPTT, ECT, and TT. INR is relatively insensitive to the exposure to dabigatran and cannot be interpreted the same way as used for warfarin monitoring.
The aPTT test provides an approximation of PRADAXA’s anticoagulant effect. The average time course for effects on aPTT, following approved dosing regimens in patients with various degrees of renal impairment is shown in Figure 2. The curves represent mean levels without confidence intervals; variations should be expected when measuring aPTT. While advice cannot be provided on the level of recovery of aPTT needed in any particular clinical setting, the curves can be used to estimate the time to get to a particular level of recovery, even when the time since the last dose of PRADAXA is not precisely known. In the RE-LY trial, the median (10th to 90th percentile) trough aPTT in patients receiving the 150 mg dose was 52 (40 to 76) seconds.
Figure 2 : Average Time Course for Effects of
Dabigatran on aPTT, Following Approved PRADAXA Dosing Regimens in Patients with
Various Degrees of Renal Impairment*
 |
*Simulations based on PK data from a study in subjects with renal impairment and PK/aPTT relationships derived from the RE-LY study; aPTT prolongation in RE-LY was measured centrally in citrate plasma using PTT Reagent Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Mannheim, Germany. There may be quantitative differences between various established methods for aPTT assessment.
The degree of anticoagulant activity can also be assessed by the ecarin clotting time (ECT). This test is a more specific measure of the effect of dabigatran than activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT). In the RE-LY trial, the median (10th to 90th percentile) trough ECT in patients receiving the 150 mg dose was 63 (44 to 103) seconds.
In orthopedic hip surgery patients, maximum aPTT response (Emax) to dabigatran and baseline aPTT were higher shortly after surgery than at later time points (e.g. ≥3 days after surgery).
No prolongation of the QTc interval was observed with dabigatran etexilate at doses up to 600 mg.
Dabigatran etexilate mesylate is absorbed as the dabigatran etexilate ester. The ester is then hydrolyzed, forming dabigatran, the active moiety. Dabigatran is metabolized to four different acyl glucuronides and both the glucuronides and dabigatran have similar pharmacological activity. Pharmacokinetics described here refer to the sum of dabigatran and its glucuronides. Dabigatran displays dose-proportional pharmacokinetics in healthy subjects and patients in the range of doses from 10 to 400 mg.
The absolute bioavailability of dabigatran following oral administration of dabigatran etexilate is approximately 3 to 7%. Dabigatran etexilate is a substrate of the efflux transporter P-gp. After oral administration of dabigatran etexilate in healthy volunteers, Cmax occurs at 1 hour post-administration in the fasted state. Coadministration of PRADAXA with a high-fat meal delays the time to Cmax by approximately 2 hours but has no effect on the bioavailability of dabigatran; PRADAXA may be administered with or without food.
The oral bioavailability of dabigatran etexilate increases by 75% when the pellets are taken without the capsule shell compared to the intact capsule formulation. PRADAXA capsules should therefore not be broken, chewed, or opened before administration.
Dabigatran is approximately 35% bound to human plasma proteins. The red blood cell to plasma partitioning of dabigatran measured as total radioactivity is less than 0.3. The volume of distribution of dabigatran is 50 to 70 L. Dabigatran pharmacokinetics are dose proportional after single doses of 10 to 400 mg. Given twice daily, dabigatran’s accumulation factor is approximately two.
Dabigatran is eliminated primarily in the urine. Renal clearance of dabigatran is 80% of total clearance after intravenous administration. After oral administration of radiolabeled dabigatran, 7% of radioactivity is recovered in urine and 86% in feces. The half-life of dabigatran in healthy subjects is 12 to 17 hours.
After oral administration, dabigatran etexilate is converted to dabigatran. The cleavage of the dabigatran etexilate by esterase-catalyzed hydrolysis to the active principal dabigatran is the predominant metabolic reaction. Dabigatran is not a substrate, inhibitor, or inducer of CYP450 enzymes. Dabigatran is subject to conjugation forming pharmacologically active acyl glucuronides. Four positional isomers, 1-O, 2-O, 3-O, and 4-O-acylglucuronide exist, and each accounts for less than 10% of total dabigatran in plasma.
An open, parallel-group single-center study compared dabigatran pharmacokinetics in healthy subjects and patients with mild to moderate renal impairment receiving a single dose of PRADAXA 150 mg. Exposure to dabigatran increases with severity of renal function impairment (Table 8). Similar findings were observed in the RELY, RE-COVER and RE-NOVATE II trials.
Table 8 : Impact of Renal Impairment on Dabigatran
Pharmacokinetics
| Renal Function | CrCl (mL/min) | Increase in AUC | Increase in Cmax | t½ (h) |
| Normal | ≥ 80 | 1x | 1x | 13 |
| Mild | 50-80 | 1.5x | 1.1x | 15 |
| Moderate | 30-50 | 3.2x | 1.7x | 18 |
| Severe+ | 15-30 | 6.3x | 2.1x | 27 |
| +Patients with severe renal impairment were not studied in RE-LY, RE-COVER and RE-NOVATE II. Dosing recommendations in subjects with severe renal impairment are based on pharmacokinetic modeling [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION and Use In Specific Populations]. | ||||
Administration of PRADAXA in patients with moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh B) showed a large inter-subject variability, but no evidence of a consistent change in exposure or pharmacodynamics.
A summary of the effect of coadministered drugs on dabigatran exposure is shown in Figures 3.1 and 3.2.
In the orthopedic hip surgery patients, limited clinical data with P-gp inhibitors is available.
Figure 3.1: Effect of P-gp
Inhibitor or Inducer (rifampicin) Drugs on Peak and Total Exposure to
Dabigatran (Cmax and AUC). Shown are the Geometric Mean Ratios (Ratio) and 90%
Confidence Interval (90% CI). The Perpetrator and Dabigatran Etexilate Dose and
Dosing Frequency are given as well as the Time of Perpetrator Dosing in
Relation to Dabigatran Etexilate Dose (Time Difference)
 |
Figure 3.2: Effect of
Non-P-gp Inhibitor or Inducer, Other Drugs, on Peak and Total Exposure to
Dabigatran (Cmax and AUC). Shown are the Geometric Mean Ratios (Ratio) and 90%
Confidence Interval (90% CI). The Perpetrator and Dabigatran Etexilate Dose and
Dosing Frequency are given as well as the Time of Perpetrator Dosing in
Relation to Dabigatran Etexilate Dose (Time Difference)
 |
In RE-LY, dabigatran plasma samples were also collected. The concomitant use of proton pump inhibitors, H2 antagonists, and digoxin did not appreciably change the trough concentration of dabigatran.
In clinical studies exploring CYP3A4, CYP2C9, P-gp and other pathways, dabigatran did not meaningfully alter the pharmacokinetics of amiodarone, atorvastatin, clarithromycin, diclofenac, clopidogrel, digoxin, pantoprazole, or ranitidine.
The clinical evidence for the efficacy of PRADAXA was derived from RE-LY (Randomized Evaluation of Long-term Anticoagulant Therapy), a multi-center, multinational, randomized parallel group trial comparing two blinded doses of PRADAXA (110 mg twice daily and 150 mg twice daily) with open-label warfarin (dosed to target INR of 2 to 3) in patients with non-valvular, persistent, paroxysmal, or permanent atrial fibrillation and one or more of the following additional risk factors:
The primary objective of this study was to determine if PRADAXA was non-inferior to warfarin in reducing the occurrence of the composite endpoint, stroke (ischemic and hemorrhagic) and systemic embolism. The study was designed to ensure that PRADAXA preserved more than 50% of warfarin’s effect as established by previous randomized, placebo-controlled trials of warfarin in atrial fibrillation. Statistical superiority was also analyzed.
A total of 18,113 patients were randomized and followed for a median of 2 years. The patients’ mean age was 71.5 years and the mean CHADS2 score was 2.1. The patient population was 64% male, 70% Caucasian, 16% Asian, and 1% black. Twenty percent of patients had a history of a stroke or TIA and 50% were Vitamin K antagonist (VKA) naïve, defined as less than 2 months total lifetime exposure to a VKA. Thirty-two percent of the population had never been exposed to a VKA. Concomitant diseases of patients in this trial included hypertension 79%, diabetes 23%, and CAD 28%. At baseline, 40% of patients were on aspirin and 6% were on clopidogrel. For patients randomized to warfarin, the mean percentage of time in therapeutic range (INR 2 to 3) was 64%.
Relative to warfarin and to PRADAXA 110 mg twice daily, PRADAXA 150 mg twice daily significantly reduced the primary composite endpoint of stroke and systemic embolism (see Table 9 and Figure 4).
Table 9 : First Occurrence of Stroke or Systemic
Embolism in the RE-LY Study*
| PRADAXA 150 mg twice daily | PRADAXA 110 mg twice daily | Warfarin | |
| Patients randomized | 6076 | 6015 | 6022 |
| Patients (% per yr) with events | 135 (1.12%) | 183 (1.54%) | 203 (1.72%) |
| Hazard ratio vs. warfarin (95% CI) | 0.65 (0.52, 0.81) | 0.89 (0.73, 1.09) | |
| P-value for superiority | 0.0001 | 0.27 | |
| Hazard ratio vs. PRADAXA 110 mg (95% CI) | 0.72 (0.58, 0.91) | ||
| P-value for superiority | 0.005 | ||
| * Randomized ITT | |||
Figure 4 : Kaplan-Meier Curve Estimate of Time to First Stroke or Systemic Embolism
 |
The contributions of the components of the composite endpoint, including stroke by subtype, are shown in Table 10. The treatment effect was primarily a reduction in stroke. PRADAXA 150 mg twice daily was superior in reducing ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes relative to warfarin.
Table 10 : Strokes and Systemic Embolism in the RE-LY Study
| PRADAXA 150 mg twice daily | Warfarin | Hazard ratio vs. warfarin (95% CI) | |
| Patients randomized | 6076 | 6022 | |
| Stroke | 123 | 187 | 0.64 (0.51, 0.81) |
| Ischemic stroke | 104 | 134 | 0.76 (0.59, 0.98) |
| Hemorrhagic stroke | 12 | 45 | 0.26 (0.14, 0.49) |
| Systemic embolism | 13 | 21 | 0.61 (0.30, 1.21) |
In the RE-LY trial, the rate of all-cause mortality was lower on dabigatran 150 mg than on warfarin (3.6% per year versus 4.1% per year). The rate of vascular death was lower on dabigatran 150 mg compared to warfarin (2.3% per year versus 2.7% per year). Non-vascular death rates were similar in the treatment arms.
The efficacy of PRADAXA 150 mg twice daily was generally consistent across major subgroups (see Figure 5).
Figure 5 : Stroke and Systemic Embolism Hazard Ratios
by Baseline Characteristics*
 |
* Randomized ITT
Note: The figure above presents effects in various subgroups all of which are baseline characteristics and all of which were pre-specified. The 95% confidence limits that are shown do not take into account how many comparisons were made, nor do they reflect the effect of a particular factor after adjustment for all other factors. Apparent homogeneity or heterogeneity among groups should not be over-interpreted.
In RE-LY, a higher rate of clinical myocardial infarction was reported in patients who received PRADAXA (0.7 per 100 patient-years for 150 mg dose) than in those who received warfarin (0.6).
In the randomized, parallel group, double-blind trials, RE-COVER and RE-COVER II, patients with deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism received PRADAXA 150 mg twice daily or warfarin (dosed to target INR of 2 to 3) following initial treatment with an approved parenteral anticoagulant for 5-10 days.
In RE-COVER, the median treatment duration during the oral only treatment period was 174 days. A total of 2539 patients (30.9% patients with symptomatic PE with or without DVT and 68.9% with symptomatic DVT only) were treated with a mean age of 54.7 years. The patient population was 58.4% male, 94.8% white, 2.6% Asian, and 2.6% black. The concomitant diseases of patients in this trial included hypertension (35.9%), diabetes mellitus (8.3%), coronary artery disease (6.5%), active cancer (4.8%), and gastric or duodenal ulcer (4.4%). Concomitant medications included agents acting on renin-angiotensin system (25.2%), vasodilators (28.4%), serum lipid-reducing agents (18.2%), NSAIDs (21%), beta-blockers (14.8%), calcium channel blockers (8.5%), ASA (8.6%), and platelet inhibitors excluding ASA (0.6%). Patients randomized to warfarin had a mean percentage of time in the INR target range of 2.0 to 3.0 of 60% in RE-COVER study.
In RE-COVER II, the median treatment duration during the oral only treatment period was 174 days. A total of 2568 patients (31.8% patients with symptomatic PE with or without DVT and 68.1% with symptomatic DVT only) were treated with a mean age of 54.9 years. The patient population was 60.6% male, 77.6% white, 20.9% Asian, and 1.5% black. The concomitant diseases of patients in this trial included hypertension (35.1%), diabetes mellitus (9.8%), coronary artery disease (7.1%), active cancer (3.9%), and gastric or duodenal ulcer (3.8%). Concomitant medications included agents acting on renin-angiotensin system (24.2%), vasodilators (28.6%), serum lipid-reducing agents (20.0%), NSAIDs (22.3%), beta-blockers (14.8%), calcium channel blockers (10.8%), ASA (9.8%), and platelet inhibitors excluding ASA (0.8%). Patients randomized to warfarin had a mean percentage of time in the INR target range of 2.0 to 3.0 of 57% in RE-COVER II study.
In studies RE-COVER and RE-COVER II, the protocol specified non-inferiority margin (2.75) for the hazard ratio was derived based on the upper limit of the 95% confidence interval of the historical warfarin effect. PRADAXA was demonstrated to be non-inferior to warfarin (dosed to target INR of 2 to 3) (Table 11) based on the primary composite endpoint (fatal PE or symptomatic non-fatal PE and/or DVT) and retains at least 66.9% (RE-COVER) and 63.9% (RE-COVER II) of the historical warfarin effect, respectively.
Table 11 : Primary Efficacy Endpoint for RE-COVER and
RE-COVER II – Modified ITTa Population
| RE-COVER | PRADAXA 150 mg twice daily N (%) N=1274 |
Warfarin N (%) N=1265 |
Hazard ratio vs. warfarin (95% CI) |
| Primary Composite Endpointb | 34 (2.7) | 32 (2.5) | 1.05 (0.65, 1.70) |
| Fatal PEc | 1 (0.1) | 3 (0.2) | |
| Symptomatic non-fatal PEc | 16 (1.3) | 8 (0.6) | |
| Symptomatic recurrent DVTc | 17 (1.3) | 23 (1.8) | |
| RE-COVER II | N=1279 | N=1289 | |
| Primary Composite Endpointb | 34 (2.7) | 30 (2.3) | 1.13 (0.69, 1.85) |
| Fatal PEc | 3 (0.2) | 0 | |
| Symptomatic non-fatal PEc | 9 (0.7) | 15 (1.2) | |
| Symptomatic recurrent DVTc | 30 (2.3) | 17 (1.3) | |
| aModified ITT analyses population consists of
all randomized patients who received at least one dose of study medication. bNumber of patients with one or more event. cNumber of events. For patients with multiple events each event is counted independently. |
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In the randomized, parallel group, double-blind, pivotal trial, RE-MEDY, patients received PRADAXA 150 mg twice daily or warfarin (dosed to target INR of 2 to 3) following 3 to 12 months of treatment with anticoagulation therapy for an acute VTE. The median treatment duration during the treatment period was 534 days. A total of 2856 patients were treated with a mean age of 54.6 years. The patient population was 61% male, and 90.1% white, 7.9% Asian and 2.0% black. The concomitant diseases of patients in this trial included hypertension (38.6%), diabetes mellitus (9.0%), coronary artery disease (7.2%), active cancer (4.2%), and gastric or duodenal ulcer (3.8%). Concomitant medications included agents acting on renin-angiotensin system (27.9%), vasodilators (26.7%), serum lipid reducing agents (20.6%), NSAIDs (18.3%), beta-blockers (16.3%), calcium channel blockers (11.1%), aspirin (7.7%), and platelet inhibitors excluding ASA (0.9%). Patients randomized to warfarin had a mean percentage of time in the INR target range of 2.0 to 3.0 of 62% in the study.
In study RE-MEDY, the protocol specified non-inferiority margin (2.85) for the hazard ratio was derived based on the point estimate of the historical warfarin effect. PRADAXA was demonstrated to be non-inferior to warfarin (dosed to target INR of 2 to 3) (Table 12) based on the primary composite endpoint (fatal PE or symptomatic non-fatal PE and/or DVT) and retains at least 63.0% of the historical warfarin effect. If the non-inferiority margin was derived based on the 50% retention of the upper limit of the 95% confidence interval, PRADAXA was demonstrated to retain at least 33.4% of the historical warfarin effect based on the composite primary endpoint.
Table 12 : Primary Efficacy Endpoint for RE-MEDY –
Modified ITTa Population
| PRADAXA 150 mg twice daily N=1430 N (%) |
Warfarin N=1426 N (%) |
Hazard ratio vs. warfarin (95% CI) | |
| Primary Composite Endpointb | 26 (1.8) | 18 (1.3) | 1.44 (0.78, 2.64) |
| Fatal PEc | 1 (0.07) | 1 (0.07) | |
| Symptomatic non-fatal PEc | 10 (0.7) | 5 (0.4) | |
| Symptomatic recurrent DVTc | 17 (1.2) | 13 (0.9) | |
| aModified ITT analyses population consists of
all randomized patients who received at least one dose of study medication. bNumber of patients with one or more event. cNumber of events. For patients with multiple events each event is counted independently. |
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In a randomized, parallel group, double-blind, pivotal trial, RE-SONATE, patients received PRADAXA 150 mg twice daily or placebo following 6 to 18 months of treatment with anticoagulation therapy for an acute VTE. The median treatment duration was 182 days. A total of 1343 patients were treated with a mean age of 55.8 years. The patient population was 55.5% male, 89.0% white, 9.3% Asian, and 1.7% black. The concomitant diseases of patients in this trial included hypertension (38.8%), diabetes mellitus (8.0%), coronary artery disease (6.0%), history of cancer (6.0%), gastric or duodenal ulcer (4.5%), and heart failure (4.6%). Concomitant medications included agents acting on renin-angiotensin system (28.7%), vasodilators (19.4%), beta-blockers (18.5%), serum lipid reducing agents (17.9%), NSAIDs (12.1%), calcium channel blockers (8.9%), aspirin (8.3%), and platelet inhibitors excluding ASA (0.7%). Based on the outcome of the primary composite endpoint (fatal PE, unexplained death, or symptomatic non-fatal PE and/or DVT), PRADAXA was superior to placebo (Table 13).
Table 13 : Primary Efficacy Endpoint for RE-SONATE –
Modified ITTa Population
| PRADAXA 150 mg twice daily N=681 N (%) |
Placebo N=662 N (%) |
Hazard ratio vs. placebo (95% CI) | |
| Primary Composite Endpointb | 3 (0.4) | 37 (5.6) | 0.08 (0.02, 0.25) p-value <0.0001 |
| Fatal PE and unexplained deathc | 0 | 2 (0.3) | |
| Symptomatic non-fatal PEc | 1 (0.1) | 14 (2.1) | |
| Symptomatic recurrent DVTc | 2 (0.3) | 23 (3.5) | |
| aModified ITT analyses population consists of
all randomized patients who received at least one dose of study medication. bNumber of patients with one or more events. cNumber of events. For patients with multiple events each event is counted independently. |
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In the randomized, parallel group, double-blind, non-inferiority trials, RE-NOVATE and RE-NOVATE II patients received PRADAXA 75 mg orally 1-4 hours after surgery followed by 150 mg daily (RE-NOVATE), PRADAXA 110 mg orally 1-4 hours after surgery followed by 220 mg daily (RE-NOVATE and RE-NOVATE II) or subcutaneous enoxaparin 40 mg once daily initiated the evening before surgery (RE-NOVATE and RE-NOVATE II) for the prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in patients who have undergone hip replacement surgery.
Overall, in RE-NOVATE and RE-NOVATE II, the median treatment duration was 33 days for PRADAXA and 33 days for enoxaparin. A total of 5428 patients were treated with a mean age of 63.2 years. The patient population was 45.3% male, 96.1% white, 3.6% Asian, and 0.4 % black. The concomitant diseases of patients in these trials included hypertension (46.1%), venous insufficiency (15.4%), coronary artery disease (8.2%), diabetes mellitus (7.9%), reduced renal function (5.3%), heart failure (3.4%), gastric or duodenal ulcer (3.0%), VTE (2.7%), and malignancy (0.1%). Concomitant medications included cardiac therapy (69.7%), NSAIDs (68%), vasoprotectives (29.7%), agents acting on renin-angiotensin system (29.1%), beta-blockers (21.5%), diuretics (20.8%), lipid modifying agents (18.2%), any antithrombin/anticoagulant (16.0%), calcium channel blockers (13.6%), low molecular weight heparin (7.8%), aspirin (7.0%), platelet inhibitors excluding ASA (6.9%), other antihypertensives (6.7%), and peripheral vasodilators (2.6%).
For efficacy evaluation all patients were to have bilateral venography of the lower extremities at 3 days after last dose of study drug unless an endpoint event had occurred earlier in the study. In the primary efficacy analysis, PRADAXA 110 mg orally 1-4 hours after surgery followed by 220 mg daily was non-inferior to enoxaparin 40 mg once daily in a composite endpoint of confirmed VTE (proximal or distal DVT on venogram, confirmed symptomatic DVT, or confirmed PE) and all cause death during the treatment period (Tables 14 and 15). In the studies 2628 (76.5%) patients in RE-NOVATE and 1572 (78.9%) patients in RE-NOVATE II had evaluable venograms at study completion.
Table 14 : Primary Efficacy Endpoint for RE-NOVATE
| PRADAXA 220 mg N (%) |
Enoxaparin N (%) |
|
| Number of Patientsa | N=880 | N= 897 |
| Primary Composite Endpoint | 53 (6.0) | 60 (6.7) |
| Risk difference (%) vs. enoxaparin (95% CI) | -0.7 (-2.9, 1.6) | |
| Number of Patients | N=909 | N=917 |
| Composite endpoint of major VTEb and VTE related mortality | 28 (3.1) | 36 (3.9) |
| Number of Patients | N=905 | N=914 |
| Proximal DVT | 23 (2.5) | 33 (3.6) |
| Number of Patients | N=874 | N=894 |
| Total DVT | 46 (5.3) | 57 (6.4) |
| Number of Patients | N=1137 | N=1142 |
| Symptomatic DVT | 6 (0.5) | 1 (0.1) |
| PE | 5 (0.4) | 3 (0.3) |
| Death | 3 (0.3) | 0 |
| aFull Analysis Set (FAS): The FAS included all
randomized patients who received at least one subcutaneous injection or one
oral dose of study medication, underwent surgery and subjects for whom the
presence or absence of an efficacy outcome at the end of the study was known,
i.e., an evaluable negative venogram for both distal and proximal DVT in both
legs or any of the following: positive venography in one or both legs, or
confirmed symptomatic DVT, PE, or death during the treatment period. bVTE is defined as proximal DVT and PE |
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Table 15 : Primary Efficacy Endpoint for RE-NOVATE II
| PRADAXA 220 mg N (%) |
Enoxaparin N (%) |
|
| Number of Patientsa | N=792 | N= 786 |
| Primary Composite Endpoint | 61 (7.7) | 69 (8.8) |
| Risk difference (%) vs. enoxaparin (95% CI) | -1.1 (-3.8, 1.6) | |
| Number of Patients | N=805 | N=795 |
| Composite endpoint of major VTEb and VTE related mortality | 18 (2.2) | 33 (4.2) |
| Number of Patients | N=804 | N=793 |
| Proximal DVT | 17 (2.1) | 31 (3.9) |
| Number of Patients | N=791 | N=784 |
| Total DVT | 60 (7.6) | 67 (8.5) |
| Number of Patients | N=1001 | N=992 |
| Symptomatic DVT | 0 | 4(0.4) |
| PE | 1 (0.1) | 2(0.2) |
| Death | 0 | 1 (0.1) |
| aFull Analysis Set (FAS): The FAS included all
randomized patients who received at least one subcutaneous injection or one
oral dose of study medication, underwent surgery and subjects for whom the
presence or absence of an efficacy outcome at the end of the study was known,
i.e., an evaluable negative venogram for both distal and proximal DVT in both
legs or any of the following: positive venography in one or both legs, or
confirmed symptomatic DVT, PE, or death during the treatment period. bVTE is defined as proximal DVT and PE |
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PRADAXA
(pra dax a)
(dabigatran etexilate mesylate) capsules
Read this Medication Guide before you start taking PRADAXA and each time you get a refill. There may be new information. This Medication Guide does not take the place of talking with your doctor about your medical condition or your treatment.
What is the most important information I should know about PRADAXA?
Call your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of these signs or symptoms of bleeding:
Take PRADAXA exactly as prescribed. Do not stop taking PRADAXA without first talking to the doctor who prescribes it for you. Stopping PRADAXA may increase your risk of a stroke.
PRADAXA may need to be stopped, if possible, for one or more days before any surgery, or medical or dental procedure. If you need to stop taking PRADAXA for any reason, talk to the doctor who prescribed PRADAXA for you to find out when you should stop taking it. Your doctor will tell you when to start taking PRADAXA again after your surgery or procedure.
If you take PRADAXA and receive spinal anesthesia or have a spinal puncture, your doctor should watch you closely for symptoms of spinal or epidural blood clots. Tell your doctor right away if you have back pain, tingling, numbness, muscle weakness (especially in your legs and feet), loss of control of the bowels or bladder (incontinence).
See “What are the possible side effects of PRADAXA?” for more information about side effects.
What is PRADAXA?
PRADAXA is a prescription blood thinner medicine that lowers the chance of blood clots forming in your body. PRADAXA is used to:
PRADAXA is not for use in people with artificial (prosthetic) heart valves.
It is not known if PRADAXA is safe and works in children.
Who should not take PRADAXA?
Do not take PRADAXA if you:
What should I tell my doctor before taking PRADAXA?
Before you take PRADAXA, tell your doctor if you:
Tell all of your doctors and dentists that you are taking PRADAXA. They should talk to the doctor who prescribed PRADAXA for you, before you have any surgery, or a medical or dental procedure.
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Some of your other medicines may affect the way PRADAXA works. Certain medicines may increase your risk of bleeding. See “What is the most important information I should know about PRADAXA?”
Especially tell your doctor if you take:
Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them and show it to your doctor and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.
How should I take PRADAXA?
What are the possible side effects of PRADAXA?
PRADAXA can cause serious side effects, including:
Common side effects of PRADAXA include:
Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.
These are not all of the possible side effects of PRADAXA. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
How should I store PRADAXA?
Keep PRADAXA and all medicines out of the reach of children.
General information about the safe and effective use of PRADAXA
Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Medication Guide. Do not use PRADAXA for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give PRADAXA to other people, even if they have the same symptoms that you have. It may harm them.
This Medication Guide summarizes the most important information about PRADAXA. If you would like more information, talk with your doctor. You can ask your pharmacist or doctor for information about PRADAXA that is written for health professionals.
For more information, go to www.pradaxa.com or call Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. at 1-800-542-6257 or (TTY) 1-800-459-9906, or scan here to go to www.pradaxa.com.
What are the ingredients in PRADAXA?
Active ingredient: dabigatran etexilate mesylate
Inactive ingredients: acacia, dimethicone, hypromellose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, talc, and tartaric acid. The capsule shell is composed of carrageenan, hypromellose, potassium chloride, titanium dioxide, black edible ink, and FD&C Blue No. 2 (150 mg and 110 mg capsules only).
This Medication Guide has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
