Praxbind (Idarucizumab)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Praxbind Used For?
Praxbind is a specialized emergency medication that rapidly reverses the effects of Pradaxa (dabigatran), a blood thinner. It works by trapping dabigatran in your body to quickly stop its blood-thinning effects when immediate reversal is needed.
Primary Uses
Praxbind is used in emergency situations where rapid reversal of Pradaxa is required, including emergency surgery or urgent procedures, and life-threatening or uncontrolled bleeding. This medicine only removes dabigatran from your body and will not affect other blood clot prevention medicines.
How It Works
Praxbind contains idarucizumab, which is specifically designed to bind to and trap dabigatran molecules in your blood, rapidly inactivating their blood-thinning effects. After dabigatran is removed, you are no longer protected from blood clots, so your doctor will restart blood clot prevention treatment as soon as your medical condition allows.
Important: After Praxbind treatment, Pradaxa can be safely restarted 24 hours later if needed.
How Praxbind Is Given
Praxbind is only given by trained healthcare professionals in hospital settings. You cannot give this medication to yourself.
Dosage Instructions
The recommended dose is 5 g given as 2 vials of 50 mL each. In rare cases where dabigatran levels remain too high after the first dose, your doctor may decide to give a second 5 g dose. The medication is given by injection or infusion directly into a vein.
Professional Use Only: This medication is only administered by doctors or nurses in medical facilities – it is not for self-administration.
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:
- headache
- back pain
- fever
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- signs of allergic reaction: shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing, swelling of face/lips/tongue/other body parts, rash, itching or hives
- long or excessive bleeding
- exceptional weakness
- tiredness, headaches, dizziness and looking pale (signs of anemia)
- chest pain or shortness of breath
- red or dark brown urine
- red or black bowel movements
Important Warnings
Before receiving Praxbind, make sure your healthcare team knows about all your medical conditions and allergies.
Who Should Not Take Praxbind
Do not use Praxbind if you are allergic to idarucizumab or any ingredients in the medication. Always check the ingredient list to ensure you can safely receive this medicine.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have allergies to other medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes; any other medical conditions; take medicines for other conditions; have hereditary fructose intolerance (sorbitol in Praxbind may cause serious reactions); or are on a sodium-restricted diet (Praxbind contains 50 mg sodium per dose).
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits with you before treatment.
Children: There is no information available on the use of Praxbind in children and adolescents.
Drug Interactions
Praxbind has been specifically designed to only bind to dabigatran and is unlikely to interact with other medications.
Tell Your Healthcare Team: Always inform your doctor about all medicines, vitamins, and supplements you are taking, even those bought without prescription.
- Praxbind is designed to specifically target dabigatran only
- Other medicines are unlikely to affect Praxbind’s effectiveness
- Praxbind is unlikely to influence the effects of other medicines
Alcohol & Driving
No specific information about alcohol consumption or driving restrictions is provided in the medication information.
Storage
Praxbind is stored and handled by healthcare professionals in medical facilities. It comes as a clear to slightly cloudy, colorless to slightly yellow solution in 50 mL glass vials with rubber stoppers and aluminum caps.
Overdose Information
Since Praxbind is given under direct medical supervision in healthcare facilities, receiving too much medication is very unlikely. Healthcare professionals carefully monitor the dosage and administration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Praxbind is designed to rapidly reverse the effects of Pradaxa (dabigatran). It works by quickly trapping dabigatran molecules to inactivate their blood-thinning effects, though the exact timing may vary based on your individual situation.
Most patients receive a single dose of 5 g (2 vials). However, in rare cases where dabigatran levels remain too high after the first dose, your doctor may decide to give a second 5 g dose.
Your doctor will decide when to restart blood clot prevention treatment based on your medical condition. Pradaxa can typically be restarted 24 hours after Praxbind administration if needed.
Watch for signs of bleeding including long or excessive bleeding, weakness, tiredness, headaches, dizziness, pale appearance, chest pain, shortness of breath, red or dark urine, or red/black bowel movements. Report these symptoms immediately to your healthcare team.
No, Praxbind is specifically designed to reverse only Pradaxa (dabigatran). It will not remove other blood clot prevention medicines from your body.
Tell your doctor about all medical conditions, especially if you have hereditary fructose intolerance or are on a sodium-restricted diet. Your doctor will consider these factors before treating you with Praxbind.
The most common side effects include headache, back pain, and fever. More serious side effects can include allergic reactions and bleeding symptoms, which require immediate medical attention.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.