That's funny - I was just going to put up the same post!

My cardiologist just gave me a prescription for Pradaxa today, and was very much in favor of it. It sounds good. The only thing he said is there is no drug to "counteract" it, so in an emergancy you have to wait it out but since it's
only active for 12 rather than 24 hrs (like coumadin) it helps. He also said a small %of people get stomach irriations.

I'd like to hear from others on the forum.

When I was first dx with afib, I was on Pradaxa twice a day. The only problem I had was bleeding gums. I did let my physician know about this problem and I was told that it was one of the possible side effects of Pradaxa. It never lasted for long periods and it was not a significant amount. I just monitored it. I had to be really gentle while brushing my teeth. Other that that, I had no problems with it. Pradaxa has a shorter life in the body and is cleared from the body quicker then coumadin. I have never taken coumadin so I cant compare both drugs to each other. With Pradaxa, there is no blood monitorng, PT/INR checks. Since Pradaxa works by directly inhibiting the clotting factor thrombin, the amount of vitamin K in the diet does not matter. Pay attention to your body and if you notice anything out of the norm, let your physician know.
I always took Pradaxa with my morning and evening meals. I took Pradaxa for about 2 months. I stopped Pradaxa about a month now, and am now on 81 mg of aspirin.
Good luck, stay positive and best wishes!

I also am trying to decide if I am going to go on Pradaxa. I have even got the script filled but have not started taking it yet. I've heard alot of good things about it but it really hasn't been on the market long.

I, too, was given a RX for both Pradaxa and Warfarin. Pradaxa, even with insurance coverage, would have cost me $61 a month vs. $4 for Warfarin. The cincher for me was the following info posted on http://www.usatoday.com/yourlife/health/medical/heartdisease/2010-10-21-a-fib-stroke_N.htm

"Patients receiving Pradaxa had more heart attacks than those taking warfarin, but the absolute difference was small, the authors stated. Also, Pradaxa patients had higher rates of gastrointestinal bleeding."

and

"It's premature to say that a drug like dabigatran will take the place of warfarin," Dr. Bernard Gersh, a professor of medicine at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine in Rochester, Minn., said at the time of last November's conference. "There will be a lot of discussion about cost and convenience. It's a twice-daily dose and there are some questions about a possible higher rate of heart attack. I don't think this is truly resolved yet, but I think we can say that for the first time we have seen a drug that certainly has the potential to be an alternative to warfarin, and maybe even superior."

Since I have gastro problems, GERD, it was an easy choice to make. I chose Warfarin....like you said Pradaxa hasn't been around long enough yet to know all the potential side effects.

I was on Pradaxa, and it was convenient in that there was no diet restriction and no blood tests. It is not allowed prior to and following an ablation, so you WILL be switched back to Coumadin/jantoven/warfarin (all the same) if you get an ablation.

The risk with Pradaxa is that it is NOT as easy to provide a FAST treatment to stop bleeding, if that becomes an issue, as others have written.

I took the jantoven (coumadin) after the Pradaxa and I am now taking 162 of aspirin. I'm not sure which of these drugs is responsible for the terrible stomach issues I've developed and now I need an endoscopy to check out my esophagus and stomach.

I think that it is much easier for doctors to prescribe Pradaxa and they prefer having less time spent monitoring the levels--just imagine if you were them: you need an extra nurse to test levels, and you need to spend time addressing these levels, rather than on patients with other very important issues. That's my take on it all.

I was on paradax for a couple of weeks and stopped after I kept getting diarrhea, Then my cardio guy just put me on 325 mg of aspirin a day and that seems to work fine.

This is my 2nd day on pradaxa. I'm still a bit nervous about the bleeding part, and I don't like the 80.00 co pay. My doc. had me taking 325 aspirin, and I liked that better. I am on a lets see how it works for me trial. My doc. is also not real personal to me, It's quick visit and this recommendtion, and here I am taking it. I don't feel real good, I struggled through yoga this AM and did not stay and swim. I just feel better home doing nothing. I don't like that part at all. I know it takes time to adjust to medicine, so, I'll relax and enjoy the day. I would not take it if my Dad had not had a pacemaker and 2 strokes which paralyzed him and was fatal. And my Mom had phlobitis.

Well I have been on Pradaxa for two months now and there is really no major side effects. Luckily my insurance only charges $15.00 for mail in prescription and it's a 90 day supply. Check with insurance carrier and see if you have mail in available.

Thank you very much for reassuring me. Just knowing you are doing well makes me feel better already....I really just feel better!!!! I am with a Medicare Humana Ins. The mail order is 230. for a 3 mo. supplly. I am glad to hear your co-pay is so reasonable. Maybe mine will be also someday soon! I am so happy to know you feel good. I felt I was gropping in the dark, just waiting for Something to happen..not a good feeling for me, your experience helped me alot.

I have been on Pradaxa for about 4 months now.
The doctor gave me a Savings Card, which is good for a year, to obtain a monthly prescription for $30. Two of my other friends,who were put on Pradaxa, also were given the card. The pharmacy said said Boehringer Ingelheim was promoting it. You should ask your doctor.

How are you doing on the Pradaxa after 4 mos?? Yes, the card gives a break for 30.00 UNLESS you are on a goverment plan which Medicare is. I am on a medicare plan. So, actually, I did get my first month free, and the remainder I pay for. I think it is one free every year. That is good. How are you doing with the timing. It says every12 hours, how do you stick to that? I heard somewhere that you have an hour window. Already I am challenged to get within that hour. My dr. actually said nothing about it.. How is this timing for everyone?????

The medicare supplement plan I'm on is Scan. You show your card each time, if you go to a different pharmacy. Each time I've gone it's $30. I always have to eat before. This is a must or it really hurts. You do get used to it.
It really is important to stay in the hour window to get the best results, so my doctor says. Some times I just grab a couple slices of bread. Hope that helps!

I wrote the company on line for info and they sent me the card for discount without even asking me if I needed it. So it would be worth your while to ask them.