Pradaxa 110 mg It's mechanism of action, side effect and uses

  Dabigatran etexilate  (Pradaxa 110 mg )

It is an oral prodrug that is metabolised by serum esterase to dabigatran.  It is a synthetic, competitive and reversible direct thrombin inhibitor. inhibition of thrombin disrupts the coagulation cascade and inhibit the formation of clots.

It may be used to decrease the risk of venous thromboembolic events in patients who have undergone total hip or knee replacement surgery, or to prevent stroke and systemic embolism in patients with arterial fibrillation, in whom anti-coagulation therapy is indicated. In contrast to warfarin, because its anti- coagulant effects are predictable, lab monitoring is not necessary.

Mechanism of action:

Dabigatran etexilate  is an inactive pro-drug that is converted into dabigatran, the active form by esterase-catalysed hydrolysis in the plasma and liver. dabigatran, the main active principle in plasma is a rapid acting competitive and reversible direct inhibitor of thrombin. Thrombin, a serine protease, is responsible for the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin in the coagulation cascade. inhibition of thrombin consequently prevents thrombus development. dabigatran inhibits free thrombin, fibrin-bound and thrombin-induced platelet aggregation.

Side effects : 

The minor and major side effects are
Constipation, Belching, Nausea, Black stools, Vomiting , Cough , Dizziness, Loss of Consciousness, Fast/ irregular heart beat.

Uses : 

Deep Vein Thrombosis and pulmonary Embolism.
This medicine is used for  the treatment of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in patients who have been treated with parental anti-coagulant for 5 to 10 days. It is also used to prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT)  and  pulmonary embolism (PE)  following a hip replacement of DVT and PE. 

Prevention of Thrombo-embolism in atrial fibrillation:
This medicine is used to prevent the obstruction of blood vessels by clot formation in patients suffering from atrial fibrillation.