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Side Effects of Dabigatran
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you are taking dabigatran and experience side effects such as unusual bruising, blood in the urine or stools, or vomiting blood. These symptoms can be signs of potentially dangerous internal bleeding. Common reactions to the medication may include heartburn or indigestion and abdominal (stomach) pain.
Just like any medicine, dabigatran etexilate mesylate (Pradaxa®) can cause side effects. As with most drugs that affect the blood's ability to form clots, dabigatran can cause serious side effects (mostly related to the risk of bleeding).
(This article covers many, but not all, of the possible side effects with dabigatran. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list with you.)
Because of the risks of serious side effects, people taking dabigatran should be aware of the signs and symptoms of serious problems. These signs and symptoms should be reported immediately to your healthcare provider. These include but are not limited to:
- Signs of bleeding, such as:
- Unusual bruising (bruises that develop without known cause or grow in size)
- Blood in the urine
- Blood in the stool (usually seen as red or black stools)
- Nosebleeds
- Bleeding gums
- Bleeding from cuts that takes a long time to stop
- Menstrual bleeding or vaginal bleeding that is heavier than normal
- Coughing up blood
- Low blood pressure
- Vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
- Signs of an allergic reaction, such as:
- An unexplained rash
- Itching
- Hives
- Swelling of the mouth or throat
- Wheezing
- Difficulty breathing.
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD