Pradaxa is a new blood-thinning medicine primarily used to reduce the risk of stroke and blood clots in patients with atrial fibrillation not caused by a heart valve problem. However, recent studies show that patients taking Pradaxa instead of established blood-thinning medicines have a higher risk of life-threatening bleeds. Additionally, Pradaxa was placed on the market by German manufacturer Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals with no known antidote, meaning that doctors cannot stop a bleed once it starts. Thus, even a small scrape or cut can lead to a life-threatening bleeding situation.
