Pradaxa

msjellybean · Jan 12, 2012

I just started on a neuro floor a few months ago. One of my very first patients was a 53yo female that had a massive hemorrhagic stroke, after being on Pradaxa. Floated to another floor a couple weeks ago & had a woman that ended up with a GI bleed as a result of it. Haven't had any other patients on it.

It scares me that there's no easy antidote.

allnurses Guide · Jan 22, 2012

Pradaxa is used selectively in our SNF, since it cannot be crushed or even taken out its capsule. (The potency can increase significantly if taken out of its capsule.) Therefore, we can only use it with patients that are able to swallow the capsule whole. Here's a link to a "Do Not Crush" List..you'll find Pradaxa there.
Medication Safety Tools and Resources

Yeah, that.

I caught myself before I emptied the contents into applesauce for a difficult pt.

Glad I checked first... especially when I discovered it had no antidote either :eek:

Tejana32 · Feb 21, 2012

Had this resident on it. Seems great, however, unlike coumadin, PRADAXA has no antidote and if you suspect hemmorhagic issues, the patient MUST be sent out immediately. The risk of increased GI bleeding accompany this drug at a higher rate than coumadin. For those patients that luck out I suppose it is wonderful.

rose_njarvis · Mar 7, 2012

Another thing to remember is that patients should not have pradaxa for 2days prior to any invasive procedure (at least that's what's recommended). There is no lab to test for pradaxa - PT/INR won't do it.

turnforthenurse, MSN, NP · Mar 8, 2012

Coumadin is the drug of choice at my hospital, but I have seen a few patients on Pradaxa, mainly those who have already been on it prior to being admitted.

DaddyO · Apr 24, 2012

My Dad has received 8 units of blood since Saturday. Today is monday. Rectal bleeding that they cannot find the origins of (after colonoscopy, Endoscopy, Scan..etc) so it has been deduced to his Defib Dr switching to Pradaxa just under 2wks ago. He has COPD, CHF, Defib, Sleep apnea....78yrs old.

BP at admisson was 70's/30's, A-Fib, H/H 6.4, K 6.6 (cocktail given), acute renal failure and a Catheter was inserted in the event he will need Dialysis.

His Nephrologist explained that he was very very sick and that he was concerned. I never heard a Dr speak like this.

As of today he is responding well from the treatments/interventions. He will move from ICU to a regular floor tomorrow. bleeding has slowed, but not stopped.

every Dr has pointed to Pradaxa as being the culprit thus far.

if all goes well, they will send him home with Coumadin.

DaddyO · Apr 24, 2012

Pradaxa stories.

Pradaxa Questions and Answers | Patient Discussion Forum 5

DaddyO · Oct 14, 2012

We buried my Dad in June.

I work on a Post Op floor. The Doctors all seem to stay away from this drug.

Some say it is a good alternative to use.....

My Dad's bleeding did not stop and I had to sign the Hospice forms.

Some alternative.

BrandonLPN, LPN · Oct 14, 2012

I predict a lawyer commercial at some point that contains the line "If you or a loved experienced any of the following side effects while using the blood thinner drug Pradaxa...."

psu_213, BSN, RN · Oct 14, 2012

I predict a lawyer commercial at some point that contains the line "If you or a loved experienced any of the following side effects while using the blood thinner drug Pradaxa...."

I've been hearing that for months around here

CT Pixie, BSN, RN · Oct 14, 2012

This is a constant 'commercial' I see on tv..have for the longest time too.

tamadrummer · Oct 14, 2012

Since this thread started months and months ago I too have seen the same trend away from pradaxa. Too many bleeders that cannot be reversed. There is another one we have been using but I cannot remember the name of it. A new pill form of anti platelet/anticoagulant

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