Dabigatran etexilate Sandoz 75 mg hard capsules – patient leaflet, side effects, dosage

1. What Dabigatran etexilate is and what it is used for

Dabigatran etexilate contains the active substance dabigatran etexilate and belongs to a group of medicines called anticoagulants. It works by blocking a substance in the body which is involved in blood clot formation.

Dabigatran etexilate is used in adults to:

• prevent the formation of blood clots in the veins after knee or hip replacement surgery.

Dabigatran etexilate is used in children to:

• treat blood clots and to prevent blood clots from reoccurring.

2. What you need to know before you take Dabigatran etexilate

Do not take Dabigatran etexilate

• if you are allergic to dabigatran etexilate or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).
• if you have severely reduced kidney function.
• if you are currently bleeding.
• if you have a disease in an organ of the body that increases the risk of serious bleeding (e.g., stomach ulcer, injury or bleeding in the brain, recent surgery of the brain or eyes).
• if you have an increased tendency to bleed. This may be inborn, of unknown cause or due to other medicines.
• if you are taking medicines to prevent blood clotting (e.g. warfarin, rivaroxaban, apixaban or heparin), except when changing anticoagulant treatment, while having a venous or arterial line and you get heparin through this line to keep it open or while your heart beat is being restored to normal by a procedure called catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation.
• if you have a severely reduced liver function or liver disease which could possibly cause death.
• if you are taking oral ketoconazole or itraconazole, medicines to treat fungal infections.
• if you are taking oral cyclosporine, a medicine to prevent organ rejection after transplantation.
• if you are taking dronedarone, a medicine used to treat abnormal heart beat.
• if you are taking a combination product of glecaprevir and pibrentasvir, an antiviral medicine used to treat hepatitis C.
• if you have received an artificial heart valve which requires permanent blood thinning.

Warnings and precautions

Talk to your doctor before taking Dabigatran etexilate. You may also need to talk to your doctor during treatment with this medicine if you experience symptoms or if you have to undergo surgery.

Tell your doctor if you have or have had any medical conditions or illnesses, in particular any of those included in the following list:

• if you have an increased bleeding risk, such as:

  • if you have been recently bleeding.
  • if you have had a surgical tissue removal (biopsy) in the past month.
  • if you have had a serious injury (e.g. a bone fracture, head injury or any injury requiring surgical treatment).
  • if you are suffering from an inflammation of the gullet or stomach.
  • if you have problems with reflux of gastric juice into the gullet.
  • if you are receiving medicines which could increase the risk of bleeding. See 'Other medicines and Dabigatran etexilate’ below.
  • if you are taking anti-inflammatory medicines such as diclofenac, ibuprofen, piroxicam.
  • if you are suffering from an infection of the heart (bacterial endocarditis).
  • if you know you have decreased kidney function, or you are suffering from dehydration (symptoms include feeling thirsty and passing reduced amounts of dark-coloured (concentrated) / foaming urine).
  • if you are older than 75 years.
  • if you are an adult patient and weigh 50 kg or less.
  • only if used for children: if the child has an infection around or within the brain.
• if you have had a heart attack or if you have been diagnosed with conditions that increase the risk to develop a heart attack.
• if you have a liver disease that is associated with changes in the blood tests. The use of this medicine is not recommended in this case.

Take special care with Dabigatran etexilate

• if you need to have an operation:

  In this case Dabigatran etexilate will need to be stopped temporarily due to an increased bleeding risk during and shortly after an operation. It is very important to take Dabigatran etexilate before and after the operation exactly at the times you have been told by your doctor.

• if an operation involves a catheter or injection into your spinal column (e.g. for epidural or spinal anaesthesia or pain reduction):

  • it is very important to take Dabigatran etexilate before and after the operation exactly at the times you have been told by your doctor.
  • tell your doctor immediately if you get numbness or weakness of your legs or problems with your bowel or bladder after the end of anaesthesia, because urgent care is necessary.
• if you fall or injure yourself during treatment, especially if you hit your head. Please seek
• if you know that you have a disease called antiphospholipid syndrome (a disorder of the immune system that causes an increased risk of blood clots), tell your doctor who will decide if the treatment may need to be changed.

Other medicines and Dabigatran etexilate

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. In particular you should tell your doctor before taking Dabigatran etexilate, if you are taking one of the medicines listed below:

• Medicines to reduce blood clotting (e.g. warfarin, phenprocoumon, acenocoumarol, heparin, clopidogrel, prasugrel, ticagrelor, rivaroxaban, acetylsalicylic acid)
• Medicines to treat fungal infections (e.g. ketoconazole, itraconazole), unless they are only applied to the skin

• Medicines to treat abnormal heart beats (e.g. amiodarone, dronedarone, quinidine, verapamil).

  If you are taking amiodarone, quinidine or verapamil containing medicines, your doctor may tell you to use a reduced dose of Dabigatran etexilate depending on the condition for which it is prescribed to you. See also section 3.

• Medicines to prevent organ rejection after transplantation (e.g. tacrolimus, cyclosporine)
• A combination product of glecaprevir and pibrentasvir (an antiviral medicine used to treat hepatitis C)
• Anti-inflammatory and pain reliever medicines (e.g. acetylsalicylic acid, ibuprofen, diclofenac)
• St. John´s wort, a herbal medicine for depression
• Antidepressant medicines called selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors or serotonin-norepinephrine re-uptake inhibitors
• Rifampicin or clarithromycin (two antibiotics)
• Anti-viral medicines for AIDS (e.g. ritonavir)
• Certain medicines for treatment of epilepsy (e.g. carbamazepine, phenytoin)

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor for advice before taking this medicine.

The effects of Dabigatran etexilate on pregnancy and the unborn child are not known. You should not take this medicine if you are pregnant unless your doctor advises you that it is safe to do so. If you are a woman of child-bearing age, you should avoid becoming pregnant while you are taking Dabigatran etexilate.

You should not breast-feed while you are taking Dabigatran etexilate.

Driving and using machines

Dabigatran etexilate has no known effects on the ability to drive or use machines.

Dabigatran etexilate contains sodium

This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per hard capsules, that is to say essentially ‘sodium-free’.

3. How to take Dabigatran etexilate

Dabigatran etexilate capsules can be used in adults and children aged 8 years or older who are able to swallow the capsules whole. There are other age appropriate dose forms for the treatment of children below 12 years as soon as they are able to swallow soft food.

Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor if you are not sure.

Take Dabigatran etexilate as recommended for the following conditions:

Prevention of blood clot formation after knee or hip replacement surgery

The recommended dose is 220 mg once a day (taken as 2 capsules of 110 mg).

If your kidney function is decreased by more than half or if you are 75 years of age or older, the recommended dose is 150 mg once a day (taken as 2 capsules of 75 mg).

If you are taking amiodarone, quinidine or verapamil containing medicines the recommended dose is 150 mg once a day (taken as 2 capsules of 75 mg).

If you are taking verapamil containing medicines and your kidney function is decreased by more than half, you should be treated with a reduced dose of 75 mg Dabigatran etexilate because your bleeding risk may be increased.

For both surgery types, treatment should not be started if there is bleeding from the site of operation. If the treatment cannot be started until the day after surgery, dosing should be started with 2 capsules once a day.

After knee replacement surgery

You should start treatment with Dabigatran etexilate within 1-4 hours after surgery finishes, taking a single capsule. Thereafter two capsules once a day should be taken for a total of 10 days.

After hip replacement surgery

You should start treatment with Dabigatran etexilate within 1-4 hours after surgery finishes, taking a single capsule. Thereafter two capsules once a day should be taken for a total of 28-35 days.

Treatment of blood clots and prevention of blood clots from reoccurring in children

Dabigatran etexilate should be taken twice daily, one dose in the morning and one dose in the evening, at approximately the same time every day. The dosing interval should be as close to 12 hours as possible.

The recommended dose depends on weight and age. Your doctor will determine the correct dose. Your doctor may adjust the dose as treatment progresses. Keep using all other medicines, unless your doctor tells you to stop using any.

Table 1 shows single and total daily Dabigatran etexilate doses in milligrams (mg). The doses depend on weight in kilograms (kg) and age in years of the patient.

Table 1: Dosing table for Dabigatran etexilate capsules

Single doses requiring combinations of more than one capsule:

300 mg: two 150 mg capsules or

four 75 mg capsules

260 mg: one 110 mg plus one 150 mg capsule or

one 110 mg plus two 75 mg capsules 220 mg: as two 110 mg capsules

185 mg: as one 75 mg plus one 110 mg capsule

150 mg: as one 150 mg capsule or

two 75 mg capsules

How to take Dabigatran etexilate

Dabigatran etexilate can be taken with or without food. The capsule should be swallowed whole with a glass of water, to ensure delivery to the stomach. Do not break, chew, or empty the contents from the capsule since this may increase the risk of bleeding.

Instructions for the blisters

• Push the capsules through the blister foil.

Instructions for the bottle

• Push and turn for opening.
• After removing the capsule, place the cap back on the bottle and tightly close the bottle right away after you take your dose.

Change of anticoagulant treatment

Without specific guidance from your doctor do not change your anticoagulant treatment.

If you take more Dabigatran etexilate than you should

Taking too much of this medicine increases the risk of bleeding. Contact your doctor immediately if you have taken too many capsules. Specific treatment options are available.

If you forget to take Dabigatran etexilate

Prevention of blood clot formation after knee or hip replacement surgery

Continue with your remaining daily doses of Dabigatran etexilate at the same time of the next day. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

Treatment of blood clots and prevention of blood clots from reoccurring in children A forgotten dose can still be taken up to 6 hours prior to the next due dose. A missed dose should be omitted if the remaining time is below 6 hours prior to the next due dose. Do not double a dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

If you stop taking Dabigatran etexilate

Take Dabigatran etexilate exactly as prescribed. Do not stop taking this medicine without talking to your doctor first, because the risk of developing a blood clot could be higher if you stop treatment too early. Contact your doctor if you experience indigestion after taking Dabigatran etexilate.

If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

4. Possible side effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Dabigatran etexilate affects blood clotting, so most side effects are related to signs such as bruising or bleeding. Major or severe bleeding may occur, these constitute the most serious side effects and, regardless of location, may become disabling, life-threatening or even lead to death. In some cases these bleedings may not be obvious.

If you experience any bleeding event that does not stop by itself or if you experience signs of excessive bleeding (exceptional weakness, tiredness, paleness, dizziness, headache or unexplained swelling) consult your doctor immediately. Your doctor may decide to keep you under closer observation or change your medicine.

Tell your doctor immediately, if you experience a serious allergic reaction which causes difficulty in breathing or dizziness.

Possible side effects are listed below, grouped by how likely they are to happen.

Prevention of blood clot formation after knee or hip replacement surgery

Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):

• A fall in the amount of haemoglobin in the blood (the substance in the red blood cells)
• Unusual laboratory test results on liver function

Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):

• Bleeding may happen from the nose, into the stomach or bowel, from penis/vagina or urinary tract (incl. blood in the urine that stains the urine pink or red), from piles, from the rectum, under the skin, into a joint, from or after an injury or after an operation
• Haematoma formation or bruising occurring after an operation
• Blood detected in the stools by a laboratory test
• A fall in the number of red cells in the blood
• A decrease in the proportion of blood cells
• Allergic reaction
• Vomiting
• Frequent loose or liquid bowel movements
• Feeling sick
• Wound secretion (liquid exuding from the surgical wound)
• Liver enzymes increased
• Yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, caused by liver or blood problems

Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1 000 people):

• Bleeding
• Bleeding may happen in the brain, from a surgical incision, from the site of entry of an injection or from the site of entry of a catheter into a vein
• Blood-stained discharge from the site of entry of a catheter into a vein
• Coughing of blood or blood stained sputum
• A fall in the number of platelets in the blood
• A fall in the number of red cells in the blood after an operation
• Serious allergic reaction which causes difficulty in breathing or dizziness
• Serious allergic reaction which causes swelling of the face or throat
• Skin rash notable for dark red, raised, itchy bumps caused by an allergic reaction
• Sudden change of the skin which affects its colour and appearance
• Itching
• Ulcer in the stomach or bowel (incl. ulcer in the gullet)
• Inflammation of the gullet and stomach
• Reflux of gastric juice into the gullet
• Belly ache or stomach ache
• Indigestion
• Difficulty in swallowing
• Fluid exiting a wound
• Fluid exiting a wound after an operation

Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data):

• Difficulty in breathing or wheezing
• Decreases in the number or even lack of white blood cells (which help to fight infections)
• Hair loss

Treatment of blood clots and prevention of blood clots from reoccurring in children

Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):

• A fall in the number of red cells in the blood
• A fall in the number of platelets in the blood
• Skin rash notable for dark red, raised, itchy bumps caused by an allergic reaction
• Sudden change of the skin which affects its colour and appearance
• Haematoma formation
• Nosebleed
• Reflux of gastric juice into the gullet
• Vomiting
• Feeling sick
• Frequent loose or liquid bowel movements
• Indigestion
• Hair loss
• Liver enzymes increased

Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):

• Decrease in the number of white blood cells (which help to fight infections)
• Bleeding may happen into the stomach or bowel, from the brain, from the rectum, from penis/vagina or urinary tract (incl. blood in the urine that stains the urine pink or red), or under the skin
• A fall in the amount of haemoglobin in the blood (the substance in the red blood cells)
• A decrease in the proportion of blood cells
• Itching
• Coughing of blood or blood stained sputum
• Belly ache or stomach ache
• Inflammation of the gullet and stomach
• Allergic reaction
• Difficulty in swallowing
• Yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, caused by liver or blood problems

Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data):

• Lack of white blood cells (which help to fight infections)
• Serious allergic reaction which causes difficulty in breathing or dizziness
• Serious allergic reaction which causes swelling of the face or throat
• Difficulty in breathing or wheezing
• Bleeding
• Bleeding may happen into a joint or from an injury, from a surgical incision, or from the site of entry of an injection or from the site of entry of a catheter into a vein
• Bleeding may happen from piles
• Ulcer in the stomach or bowel (incl. ulcer in the gullet)
• Unusual laboratory test results on liver function

Reporting of side effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in Google play or Apple App store. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

5. How to store Dabigatran etexilate

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton, blister or bottle after “EXP”. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.

Blister and bottle

Store below 30°C.

Bottle

Once opened, the medicine must be used within 60 days.

Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.

6. Contents of the pack and other information

What Dabigatran etexilate contains

• The active substance is dabigatran etexilate.

• Each hard capsule contains 75 mg dabigatran etexilate (as mesilate).

  The other ingredients are:

  • Capsule content: Tartaric acid, hypromellose (E464), talc, hydroxypropylcellulose, croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate.
  • Capsule shell: Titanium dioxide (E171) and hypromellose (E464).

  • Black printing ink: Shellac (E904), propylene glycol (E1520), potassium hydroxide

    (E525), iron oxide black (E172).

What Dabigatran etexilate looks like and contents of the pack

Hard capsule

Size ‘2’ capsule with a white opaque cap imprinted ‘MD’ and white opaque body imprinted ‘75’ with black ink, containing a blend of white to light yellow-coloured pellets and light-yellow coloured granulate.

Dabigatran etexilate is available as

Opa/Alu/desiccant PE-Alu/PE blister containing 10, 30, 60, 100, 180 and 200 hard capsules.

Opa/Alu/desiccant PE-Alu/PE blister containing 10 x 1, 20 x 1, 30 x 1, 50 x 1, 60 x 1, 100 x 1, 180 x 1 and 200 x 1 hard capsules in perforated unit dose blisters.

Multipack containing 3 packs of 60 x 1 hard capsules (180 hard capsules) in perforated Opa/Alu/desiccant PE-Alu/PE unit dose blisters.

Multipack containing 2 packs of 50 x 1 hard capsules (100 hard capsules) in perforated Opa/Alu/desiccant PE-Alu/PE unit dose blisters.

Polypropylene bottle with a polypropylene child resistant screw cap containing desiccant. Packs of 60 hard capsules (1 bottle), 120 hard capsules (2 bottles of 60 hard capsules) and 180 hard capsules (3 bottles of 60 hard capsules).

Do not swallow the desiccant.

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer

Marketing Authorisation Holder

Sandoz Limited

Park View, Riverside Way

Watchmoor Park

Camberley, Surrey

GU15 3YL

United Kingdom

Manufacturer(s)

Salutas Pharma GmbH

Otto-von-Guericke Allee 1, Sachsen-Anhalt

39179 Barleben,

Germany

Pharmadox Healthcare Ltd,

KW20A Kordin Industrial Park, Paola,

PLA3000,

Malta

This leaflet was last revised in 05/2024.