What Is Dabigatran Viatris Used For?

Dabigatran Viatris contains dabigatran etexilate, which belongs to a group of medicines called anticoagulants or ‘blood thinners’. It works by blocking a specific protein in your blood called thrombin that helps form blood clots.

Primary Uses

Dabigatran Viatris is prescribed to: prevent blood clots in veins after knee or hip replacement surgery; reduce the risk of stroke and blood vessel blockages in adults with an irregular heartbeat called non-valvular atrial fibrillation; treat blood clots in leg and lung veins and prevent them from coming back.

How It Works

After you take it by mouth, dabigatran etexilate quickly converts to its active form called dabigatran. This medicine works by inhibiting thrombin, a protein that contributes to blood clot formation, thereby preventing dangerous clots from forming.

How to Take Dabigatran Viatris

Take your capsules at the same time each day for best results. You can take them with or without food. Always swallow capsules whole with a full glass of water.

Dosage Instructions

After knee/hip surgery: Usually 220mg (2 x 110mg capsules) once daily, starting 1-4 hours after surgery. Treatment lasts 10 days for knee surgery or 28-35 days for hip surgery. For stroke prevention: 300mg daily (150mg twice daily), or 220mg daily (110mg twice daily) if over 75 years or at high bleeding risk. For blood clot treatment: 300mg daily (150mg twice daily) after 5 days of injectable blood thinner, or 220mg daily (110mg twice daily) if over 75 years or at high bleeding risk.

What If You Miss a Dose?

After surgery: Continue with your next scheduled dose the following day. For stroke prevention or blood clot treatment: You can take a missed dose up to 6 hours before your next scheduled dose. If less than 6 hours remain, skip the missed dose. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Available Tablet Strengths

Side Effects

Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.

Common Side Effects

These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:

• Bruising
• Nosebleed
• Rash
• Diarrhea
• Indigestion
• Feeling sick
• Swollen joints
• Sore nasal passages and throat
• Discomfort when swallowing
• Hair loss
• Fever
• Severe chills
• Mouth ulcers
• Itchy skin
• Stomach ache
• Cough

Important Warnings

Dabigatran Viatris is not suitable for everyone. There are important conditions and situations where this medicine should not be used.

Who Should Not Take Dabigatran Viatris

Do not take if you: are allergic to dabigatran etexilate or any ingredients; are currently bleeding; have severely reduced kidney function; have increased bleeding tendency; have medical conditions that increase serious bleeding risk (recent brain/spinal injury, cancer); have active stomach ulcers or recent stomach bleeding; have history of bleeding in head, eyes, spine, abdomen, or joints; have certain spinal catheters; have liver problems; are taking ketoconazole, itraconazole, dronedarone, ciclosporin, tacrolimus, or glecaprevir/pibrentasvir; are taking other blood thinners (except during treatment changes); have prosthetic heart valve.

Medical Conditions to Discuss

Tell your doctor if you have: heart attack history or heart attack risk factors; reduced liver function or liver disease; increased bleeding risk (especially if over 75, have kidney problems, dehydration, recent bleeding, blood problems, recent biopsy, cancer, serious injury, stomach inflammation, acid reflux); antiphospholipid syndrome; bacterial endocarditis. Also mention if you’re taking medicines that increase bleeding risk like clopidogrel, warfarin, anti-inflammatory drugs, or certain antidepressants.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Do not take Dabigatran Viatris if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. It may harm your developing baby and passes into breast milk. Tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while taking this medicine.

Drug Interactions

Many medicines can interact with Dabigatran Viatris and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you’re taking.

• Aspirin, salicylates, and other anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs)
• Blood thinners (warfarin, heparins, clopidogrel, rivaroxaban, apixaban)
• Heart rhythm medicines (amiodarone, dronedarone, quinidine)
• Blood pressure medicines (verapamil)
• Infection treatments (clarithromycin, rifampicin)
• HIV medicines (lopinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, tipranavir, saquinavir)
• Immune system medicines (ciclosporin, tacrolimus)
• Hepatitis C treatment (glecaprevir/pibrentasvir)
• Antidepressants (SSRIs like citalopram, SNRIs like duloxetine)
• St John’s wort herbal medicine
• Seizure medicines (carbamazepine)
• Stomach medicines (pantoprazole, ranitidine)

Alcohol & Driving

Be cautious with alcohol and driving while taking Dabigatran Viatris, as it may affect your ability to perform these activities safely.

Alcohol

Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. Alcohol may interact with your treatment.

Driving and Operating Machinery

Be careful before driving or using machines until you know how Dabigatran Viatris affects you. Avoid driving or operating machinery for a period after orthopedic surgery.

Storage

Keep capsules in their original container until you’re ready to take them. Store below 25°C in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat, and sunlight. Don’t store in bathrooms, cars, or on windowsills. Keep out of reach of children – a locked cupboard at least 1.5 meters above ground is ideal. Don’t remove capsules from the original container or put them in pill organizers, as this may reduce their effectiveness.

Overdose Information

If you think you’ve taken too much Dabigatran Viatris, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Call the Poisons Information Centre (Australia: 13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department. Overdose symptoms may include bleeding, blood in stools or urine, and abnormal bruising. Don’t wait for symptoms to appear before seeking help.

Frequently Asked Questions