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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Using Pradaxa For Atrial Fibrillation, Having Eye Discomfort. Can I Use Xarelto Instead ?

Hello Doc, My name is AAA . I have atrial fibrillation(non valvular ) and have used Pradaxa since my episode with the afib in Feb 2011. I know that it is a thrombin inhibitor. I recently learned about Xarelto. It is a factor 10a inhibitor. I believe the Pradaxa is at too high a dose or is causing some eye discomfort at this time. I plan a doctor visit in the very near future(tomorrow as a fact). My questions. What is the difference in the way the two drugs work?. Which works better for afib?
Mon, 8 Apr 2013
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Cardiologist,  's  Response
Dear Friend
PRADAXA is DEBIGATRAN and is a direct thrombin inhibitor. it basically stops the formation of clot in your heart (left atrium), which may be formed due to changes brought about by atrial fibrillation (AF). Thrombin causes the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin, which is the basic material required for clot formation.
Xarelto is Rivaroxaban, which is an oral factor Xa inhibitor. it prevents clot formation by inhibiting activated factor X. factor is involved in conversion of prethrombin to thrombin, hence it acts one step prior to debigatran.
both drugs are approved for prevention of clot formation in your heart in presence of atrial fibrillation and none is meant to cure AF. No head to head comparison of efficacy of these two drugs are available as yet.
your assumption that debigatran is too high a dose can only be answered once i know what dose you are taking (110 BD or 150 BD) and second, what is your age, serum creatinine levels and if you have any history of GI bleed. hence , best leave it to your cardiologist.
What kind of eye discomfort you have? normally pradaxa is not known to cause eye discomfort, esp. after so many months of use. i advise you to see your eye specialist for same.
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Using Pradaxa For Atrial Fibrillation, Having Eye Discomfort. Can I Use Xarelto Instead ?

Dear Friend PRADAXA is DEBIGATRAN and is a direct thrombin inhibitor. it basically stops the formation of clot in your heart (left atrium), which may be formed due to changes brought about by atrial fibrillation (AF). Thrombin causes the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin, which is the basic material required for clot formation. Xarelto is Rivaroxaban, which is an oral factor Xa inhibitor. it prevents clot formation by inhibiting activated factor X. factor is involved in conversion of prethrombin to thrombin, hence it acts one step prior to debigatran. both drugs are approved for prevention of clot formation in your heart in presence of atrial fibrillation and none is meant to cure AF. No head to head comparison of efficacy of these two drugs are available as yet. your assumption that debigatran is too high a dose can only be answered once i know what dose you are taking (110 BD or 150 BD) and second, what is your age, serum creatinine levels and if you have any history of GI bleed. hence , best leave it to your cardiologist. What kind of eye discomfort you have? normally pradaxa is not known to cause eye discomfort, esp. after so many months of use. i advise you to see your eye specialist for same.