Dabigatran etexilate (Pradaxa) side effects

The most common side effect of dabigatran etexilate capsules (Pradaxa) is gastrointestinal discomfort. Compared with patients anticoagulated with warfarin, patients taking dabigatran had fewer life-threatening bleedings and fewer minor and major bleedings (including intracranial bleeding), but had a significantly higher incidence of gastrointestinal bleeding. Dabigatran capsules contain tartaric acid, which lowers gastric pH and is necessary for adequate absorption. Lower pH has previously been associated with indigestion; some have hypothesized that this is one of the reasons for the increased risk of gastrointestinal bleeding. It is reported that ingestion of dabigatran etexilate capsules can also cause esophageal damage or esophagitis. The tartaric acid core in the drug will adhere to and damage the esophagus, and then the damaged esophageal mucosa will fall off after peristalsis.