Pradaxa and Heartburn: What Users Say

• GG2...
• June 8, 2013

For Prevention of Thromboembolism in Atrial Fibrillation "Have been taking Pradaxa 150 twice a day since Sept 2011. Initially had extreme acid reflux and heartburn. Tried Nexium, Zantac, Tums, GasX. What has worked best for me is to NEVER take it on an empty stomach. In the evening, I eat a small carton of some kind of yogurt before taking my evening dose. Since beginning this regimen, I rarely have to take an antacid of any kind."

• Anonymous
• February 2, 2012

For Prevention of Thromboembolism in Atrial Fibrillation "I've been taking this medication (Pradaxa) for almost a year now. I was just recently taken off of it by my cardiologist. I was fine for the first few months or so. As time went on, one by one, I started to have side effects. There have been several, varying from constipation or diarrhea, to horrible bloating in my stomach and abdomen, muscle and joint pain, less stamina, cuts/sores taking longer to heal, heartburn/acid reflux very profound, loss of appetite, etc."

• Anonymous
• January 21, 2011

For Prevention of Thromboembolism in Atrial Fibrillation "Just started Pradaxa, and on the second day, I had severe heartburn and stomach burning just 15 minutes after taking the pill. I checked with my doctor, and they suggested taking it with food. I tried taking it immediately after lunch, also using ranitidine. It seemed okay. Then, the second pill after dinner, but approximately 2 hours after eating, I had almost immediate heartburn and stomach burning. I have had stomach ulcers, so I am concerned."

• Anonymous
• February 6, 2011

For Prevention of Thromboembolism in Atrial Fibrillation "I am a new user with Pradaxa and have found the same digestive problems, severe acid reflux, and heartburn. Also, I have had bleeding ulcers twice so I'm a bit concerned about that. However, I checked with my doctor, who told me to take the pill after meals. I tried this, but also discovered the pills must be taken IMMEDIATELY after eating food (not snacks but full meals). I also use Ranitidine with the Pradaxa and found it works. Much more comfort, almost no heartburn, just a slight sensation. I haven't had an INT test, so at the moment, I don't know if my coagulation levels are okay. But I will do that soon. Overall, I feel that using this new medicine I feel better, so I hope this will continue, it's a bit early to make the final judgment."

• Anonymous
• June 2, 2011

For Prevention of Thromboembolism in Atrial Fibrillation "I have never had heartburn. The day I started Pradaxa, I had severe heartburn and have had it daily since. It doesn't seem to matter whether I take my pills after a meal, before, or not at all. I got about one hour of sleep last night. If this continues, I will probably go back to Coumadin."

• Ami...
• June 22, 2011

For Prevention of Thromboembolism in Atrial Fibrillation "I've taken Pradaxa for almost three months. For the first couple of weeks, I thought I would be one of the fortunate ones, as I had no side effects. However, the longer I take it, the more side effects I experience. I cannot take it on an empty stomach, or even with only a light meal. I have heartburn, especially at night, plus the bowel issues, which seem to get worse daily. I don't want to go back to Coumadin, though. I'm going to have ablation surgery, and if it goes as planned, I hope to be able to stop taking blood thinner after a few weeks."

• Ami...
• August 23, 2011

For Prevention of Thromboembolism in Atrial Fibrillation "I have been taking Pradaxa for 5 months. The first two months, I really thought I would have to go back to warfarin due to stomach/bowel problems and significant heartburn. After a couple of months, the digestive and bowel problems gradually went away. I also discovered the heartburn was reduced by taking the pill right before or during a meal (not just a snack), along with taking it with a full glass of water, and not lying down for an hour or so after taking it. I'm relieved that I can stay on it since I hated being on warfarin. Hopefully, the cost becomes more reasonable."

• Anonymous
• October 22, 2011

For Prevention of Thromboembolism in Atrial Fibrillation "Have been on Pradaxa for approximately 3 months. One initial episode of heartburn only. Now it seems I am experiencing joint pain quite frequently. Has anyone noticed an increase in joint pain? Muscle pain? I spoke with the pharmacist, and he said he had never heard of anyone getting muscle pain, but joint pain was pretty infrequent. I'm thinking of getting off this medication with doctor's approval."

• reb...
• November 17, 2016

For Deep Vein Thrombosis "There is an important bit of misinformation presented by several of these commenters. The effects of both Pradaxa and Coumadin are reversible. Those of Xarelto and Eliquis are not. It seems like the issues with heartburn/acid reflux are minimized by either drinking lots of liquid with the pill or eating some food and then taking an antacid within the hour."

• CJ2...
• July 22, 2011

For Prevention of Thromboembolism in Atrial Fibrillation "I have been taking Pradaxa for a couple of weeks now (150 mg a day). I have had no major side effects, just some heartburn (that went away after taking it for about a week) and some stomach issues. But nothing so severe that I would stop taking it and go back to Lovenox shots every day. In the past, I have been on Coumadin (once a day for 2 years) and Lovenox injections (once a day for 1 year). Pradaxa is by far the best blood thinner!"

• Anonymous
• May 28, 2011

For Prevention of Thromboembolism in Atrial Fibrillation "I have been using Pradaxa for 6 months now. I have had severe heartburn issues (horrible heartburn, stomach pain, etc.) and found the only way to avoid this is to take the medicine and immediately afterwards have a meal. It seems the food on top of the medicine works better than the other way around (food first, medicine second). Small snacks are not sufficient to suppress the acid attacks. Also, I have to take Nexium to reduce stomach acid production. I have to take it at least 1 hour before breakfast to be effective. According to the company, no testing has been done re: Nexium interference with Pradaxa. I noticed a marked improvement re: bleeding and bruising in comparison to Coumadin."

• wor...
• January 19, 2014

For Prevention of Thromboembolism in Atrial Fibrillation "After going to the ER with afib, the diagnosis was thyroid. Was put on Pradaxa for afib and also had thyroid removed. The most noticeable side effect is heartburn. As a result of thyroid removal, I MUST take calcium. Asked the pharmacist what I can take for heartburn while taking Pradaxa, and he said nothing with calcium in it. He advised Pepcid AC since it doesn't have calcium in it. Said not to take Tums or other antacids because they contain calcium. Pepcid works great. However, I still have to take calcium, so I'm sure to keep Pepcid AC on hand."

• CJ ...
• August 8, 2011

For Prevention of Thromboembolism in Atrial Fibrillation "I am a heart patient and have been taking Pradaxa for about a month now. I take 150 mg twice a day. Every time I take this pill, I have a severe case of acid reflux and heartburn. Nothing seems to help relieve the burning. I also have ulcers in my stomach, and it always makes me feel nauseated. I had been using Coumadin since 2001 and had a lot of bruising and bleeding problems. I believe Pradaxa would be good if it wouldn't be so harsh on the stomach and esophagus."

• Kev...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 4, 2020

For Prevention of Thromboembolism in Atrial Fibrillation "Pradaxa almost was the end of me. Severe gastro side effects from heartburn to digestion issues. When my gastroenterologist said better go off it as it rips up your gastric system, I did. And started feeling better. Horrid drug."

• Anonymous
• December 3, 2011

For Prevention of Thromboembolism in Atrial Fibrillation "Two weeks ago, I was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation and put on medicines, including Pradaxa. I have never been on any other blood-thinning medicines, so this is all new to me. Almost immediately, I noticed a severe increase in gas, followed a week later by loose bowels. Yesterday, I developed heartburn that will not go away even with Tums and Zantac. I appreciate the suggestions about taking it with food and lots of water. I take 150 mg twice a day. I was trying to take it 12 hours apart, at about 8 am and 8 pm, but it looks like taking it at breakfast and dinner is better. I have had an ulcer, hiatal hernia, and GERD about 10 years ago that was finally improved by surgery. Sure hate to go back to heartburn again!"

• Wyo...
• January 23, 2012

For Prevention of Thromboembolism in Atrial Fibrillation "I have been on Pradaxa for almost one year. I have had atrial fibrillation and was given Pradaxa after being on Warfarin for two years. I am pleased with Pradaxa but had to be given medicine for heartburn. No going back but following the stats on the medicine as to the properties of bleeding. So far, so good."

• JoM...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 25, 2013

For Prevention of Thromboembolism in Atrial Fibrillation "Cannot tolerate Warfarin but only got Pradaxa to cover two months previous and one month after catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation. Had a bit of heartburn the first few days, but no side effects at all during the whole three months. Now, after three months post-ablation, still getting some atrial fibrillation, I think, but my doctor will not prescribe it, only the hospital consultant - who is also very reluctant."

• cre...
• October 27, 2011

For Prevention of Thromboembolism in Atrial Fibrillation "I was diagnosed with a blood clotting disorder 10 years ago after a blood clot took 3 ft of my small intestine. I've been on Coumadin ever since until about a month ago when my doctor suggested Pradaxa. Overall, it's been a good change, decreased bruising and no blood tests, and increased amount of greens in my diet. The downside is trying to remember to take it twice a day with food. I have noticed a slight change in my weight...it's gone up. I don't know if it's from the Pradaxa or not. Last night, I took it after a small snack and suffered almost immediate heartburn/acid reflux. I'm still suffering this morning...hopefully it will pass soon."

• Anonymous
• October 31, 2011

For Prevention of Thromboembolism in Atrial Fibrillation "I have been taking Pradaxa for about three months, and apart from the occasional heartburn, usually quite mild, I have had no real side effects other than a little more gas, but have felt much better in general and really appreciate the ability to eat green vegetables and not have the blood tests required by Warfarin. I have not had any bleeding problems, and scratches seem to stop bleeding much more quickly than when using Warfarin, with no bruising. I shall continue to use Pradaxa as long as my doctor is happy with the treatment."

• Ano...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 24, 2021

For Deep Vein Thrombosis "I take Pradaxa for a blood clotting disease I’ve had for years. It does prevent clots as long as I stay on it (2 - 150 mg/day). However, I’ve had a plethora of negative symptoms from Pradaxa. Acid reflux, severe heartburn unless taken with food or a glass of milk. Feels like someone lit a torch in my throat. Severe hair loss, regardless of what scientific tests may say otherwise. The texture of hair is brittle on Pradaxa versus when I’ve gone off of it. Those who’ve commented on difficulties opening the bottle are correct. Very difficult to open, especially the first couple of times on a new bottle. Joints ache, hip and back pain much worse when on this medication. I can’t take any anti-inflammatories while on Pradaxa for the severe hip and back pain, and as others here have mentioned, Tylenol doesn’t phase this pain. Bloating, and now gastrointestinal issues. Have never been constipated, but I am now, and yesterday began bleeding rectally. Scary!"

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 5, 2025

For Prevention of Thromboembolism in Atrial Fibrillation "Due to afib, I was put on a blood thinner about 5 months ago. After taking Eliquis for 2 months, due to cost, I was changed to Dabigatran (Pradaxa) 150 mg, twice a day. It wasn't long before I started getting heartburn. Somewhere online, I read to take Pradaxa with apple juice or applesauce. I started doing this about 2 weeks ago, and no more heartburn."

• Del...
• November 3, 2014

For Deep Vein Thrombosis "Heartburn, other than that, tolerable after being on warfarin for 28 years. Love the fact no constant visits for protime testing."

• ros...
• December 13, 2011

For Prevention of Thromboembolism in Atrial Fibrillation "I have been on Pradaxa for one week, no heartburn or gastro problems, but I do find myself waking up during the night. I was taking the medicine before I went to bed, will change that to dinnertime."