How should I take dabigatran?
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
Take this medicine with a full glass of water. You may take dabigatran with or without food.
Swallow the capsule whole and do not crush, chew, break, or open it.
Because dabigatran keeps your blood from coagulating (clotting) to prevent unwanted blood clots, this medicine can also make it easier for you to bleed, even from a minor injury such as a fall or a bump on the head. Contact your doctor or seek emergency medical attention if you fall or hit your head, or have any bleeding that will not stop.
If you need surgery, dental work, or any type of medical test or treatment, tell the doctor or dentist ahead of time if you have taken dabigatran within the past 12 hours.
Your kidney function may need to be checked before and during treatment with dabigatran.
Do not stop taking dabigatran without your doctor's advice. Stopping the medication can increase your risk of stroke.
If you have received more than a 30-day supply of this medication, do not open more than one bottle at a time. Open a new bottle only after all the capsules in the old bottle are gone.
Store at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. Keep each capsule in the bottle or blister pack until you are ready to take the medicine.
Keep the capsules in their original container or blister pack. Do not put dabigatran capsules into a daily pill box or pill organizer.
Throw away any unused capsules if it has been longer than 4 months since you first opened the bottle. Capsules stored in a blister pack should be thrown away after the expiration date on the label has passed.