If you have trouble remembering when to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist for hints.
If you take too much (Overdose)
Immediately telephone your doctor or Poisons Information Centre (Australia 13 11 26, New Zealand 0800 764 766) for advice, or go to Emergency at your nearest hospital if you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much Pradaxa.
Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
If you take too much Pradaxa you may have bleeding. Blood may be seen in stools or urine. Abnormal bruising may also be experienced.
While you are taking Pradaxa
Things you must do
Tell all doctors and pharmacists who are treating you that you are taking Pradaxa.
Tell your doctor if, for any reason, you have not used Pradaxa exactly as prescribed.
Otherwise, your doctor may think that it was not effective and change your treatment unnecessarily.
If you become pregnant while using Pradaxa, tell your doctor immediately.
If you are going to have surgery, including dental surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking Pradaxa. Pradaxa should be temporarily stopped before surgery.
Your doctor will tell you when to stop using Pradaxa before your surgery.
Your doctor will tell you when to re-start using Pradaxa after your surgery.
Things you must not do
Do not give Pradaxa to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.
Do not stop taking your medicine or lower the dosage without checking with your doctor.
Things to be careful of
No studies on the effects of Pradaxa on the ability to drive and operate machinery have been performed.
Driving or operating machinery should be avoided for a period of time after orthopaedic surgery.
Side effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking Pradaxa.
All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not.
Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
bruising
nosebleeds
tiredness, headaches, being short of breath when exercising, dizziness and looking pale (signs of anaemia)
diarrhoea
indigestion
cough
painful, swollen joints
sore nasal passages and throat
discomfort when swallowing.
These side effects are usually mild.
Tell your doctor immediately or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital if you notice any of the following:
chest pain or being short of breath
swelling of hands, ankles and feet
bleeding
red or dark brown urine
red or black bowel motions.
These are serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention.
Other side effects not listed above may occur in some people.
Tell your doctor if you notice anything else that is making you feel unwell.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects.
You may not experience any of them.
After using Pradaxa
Storage
Keep your capsules in the blister pack or bottle until it is time to take them.
If you take them out of the blister pack or bottle they may not keep well.
Once the bottle is opened, the capsules must be used within 4 months.
Keep the bottle tightly closed.
Keep Pradaxa in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 30°C.
Do not store Pradaxa or any other medicine in the bathroom or near a sink.
Do not leave it in the car or on window sills.
Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.
Keep Pradaxa where children cannot reach it.
A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half m |
