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| Warfarin: A popular rat poison |
If you live in New Zealand and your doctor has switched your anti-coagulation medication recently from Warfarin, the chances are you have been given a drug called "Pradaxa". Please go here to learn more about this drug here in New Zealand.
Pradaxa has been associated with a rash of "bleeding" incidents in New Zealand and, I understand, a number of deaths. This does not mean to say that Warfarin, which it replaces is any safer - it is far from "safe". By the way, there are safe, natural alternatives that most people on blood thinners may wish to consider; but the switching from the likes of Warfarin to these needs to be carefully exercised with the assistance of a suitably trained health practitioner.
Please go here for some articles about Warfarin.
While the number of incidents seem to be relatively low, please bear in mind that less than 10% of adverse reactions ever get onto official databases. Some cynics believe the real figure is less than 1%. I go with the latter.
I have reproduced below a letter from Tom Lamb of Drug Injury Watch. If you feel you have been harmed by this drug, or similar ones, please drop him a line. While his main interests are within the USA, I am sure he will be happy to hear from you.
One point of note is the lack of an effective reversal agent. Which means if you suffer an adverse event, things could go from bad to worse because there is no antidote to effectively neutralise the action of the drug.
Gary
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Pradaxa Bleeding Events: Four Major Factors Which Contributed To These Serious Side Effects
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Pradaxa has been associated with a rash of "bleeding" incidents in New Zealand and, I understand, a number of deaths. This does not mean to say that Warfarin, which it replaces is any safer - it is far from "safe". By the way, there are safe, natural alternatives that most people on blood thinners may wish to consider; but the switching from the likes of Warfarin to these needs to be carefully exercised with the assistance of a suitably trained health practitioner.
Please go here for some articles about Warfarin.
While the number of incidents seem to be relatively low, please bear in mind that less than 10% of adverse reactions ever get onto official databases. Some cynics believe the real figure is less than 1%. I go with the latter.
I have reproduced below a letter from Tom Lamb of Drug Injury Watch. If you feel you have been harmed by this drug, or similar ones, please drop him a line. While his main interests are within the USA, I am sure he will be happy to hear from you.
One point of note is the lack of an effective reversal agent. Which means if you suffer an adverse event, things could go from bad to worse because there is no antidote to effectively neutralise the action of the drug.
Gary
_______________________________
Pradaxa Bleeding Events: Four Major Factors Which Contributed To These Serious Side Effects
Prescriber Error, Impaired Renal Function, Patient Age, And Lack Of An Effective Reversal Agent Are Cited
(Posted by Tom Lamb at DrugInjuryWatch.com)
(Posted by Tom Lamb at DrugInjuryWatch.com)
