Plavix vs. Pradaxa

• Are Pradaxa and Plavix the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Plavix?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Pradaxa?
• What is Plavix?
• What is Pradaxa?
• What Drugs Interact with Plavix?
• What Drugs Interact with Pradaxa?
• How Should Plavix Be Taken?
• How Should Pradaxa Be Taken?

Plavix (clopidogrel bisulfate) and Pradaxa (dabigatran) are anticoagulants (blood thinners) that inhibit aspects of blood clotting and are used to treat patients with acute coronary syndrome, heart attack (myocardial infarction), peripheral vascular disease, and ischemic strokes.

Common side effects of Plavix include:

• easy bleeding and bruising;
• pain, redness, warmth, irritation, or skin changes where the medicine was injected;
• itching of your feet; or
• bluish-colored skin.

Thrombocytopenia, pradaxa-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) and pradaxa-induced thrombocytopenia and thrombosis (HITT) are serious side effects of pradaxa.

Common side effects of Pradaxa include:

• bruising and minor bleeding (such as nosebleeds and bleeding from cuts),
• nausea,
• abdominal or stomach pain,
• stomach upset,
• indigestion,
• heartburn,
• diarrhea,
• skin rash, or
• itching.

Tell your doctor if you have serious side effects of Pradaxa including:

• severe heartburn,
• nausea, or
• vomiting.

Plavix (clopidogrel bisulfate) is a thienopyridine class of drug that inhibits platelet aggregation and thus inhibits aspects of blood clotting used to treat patients with acute coronary syndrome, myocardial infarction (MI), peripheral vascular disease and some stroke (ischemic type) patients. Plavix is available in generic form.

Pradaxa (dabigatran) is an anticoagulant that works by blocking the clotting protein thrombin. Pradaxa is used to prevent blood clots from forming because of a certain irregular heart rhythm (atrial fibrillation). Preventing these blood clots helps to reduce the risk of a stroke.

Plavix may interact with other blood thinners, aspirin, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Plavix may also interact with armodafinil, modafinil, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, gemfibrozil, isoniazid, cancer medications, stomach acid reducers, antifungals, HIV medications, or seizure medications.

Pradaxa may interact with other medicines to treat or prevent blood clots, aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antifungals, or HIV/AIDS medications.

Pradaxa may also interact with antibiotics, St. John's wort, heart or blood pressure medications, or medicines used to prevent organ transplant rejection.

Plavix is supplied as 75 and 300 mg tablets. For acute coronary syndrome with a non-ST elevation MI, the initial recommended dose is 300 mg, followed by a 75 mg dose per day; for ST elevation MIs, the initial and continuing dose is 75 mg per day. The recommended dose is 75 mg per day for patient with a history of MI, stroke, or peripheral vascular disease. Many doctors may choose to add an aspirin per day along with the Plavix dose in both non-ST elevation and ST elevation MIs as well as to stroke and peripheral vascular disease patients.

The usual recommended dose of Pradaxa is 150 mg taken orally, twice daily Pradaxa is administered in capsule form.