Reversal Agent for Pradaxa, Praxbind, Now Available Nationwide

Boehringer Ingelheim announced on 5/4/18 that Praxbind (idarucizumab), a specific reversal agent for Pradaxa (dabigatran etexilate mesylate), is now stocked in 3,200 hospitals in all 50 states. This represents a significant increase in the availability of Praxbind since March 2016, when it was stocked in 2,200 institutions. Healthcare providers and patients can quickly search for institutions in the U.S. where Praxbind is stocked by using a zip code locator tool available at Praxbind.com.

"Emergency situations are unpredictable and access to a reversal agent is important for the rare events when the anticoagulant effect of Pradaxa must be reversed," said Thomas Seck, M.D., vice president, Clinical Development and Medical Affairs, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. "We hope patients are reassured in knowing that a specific reversal agent for a NOAC is widely available."

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Praxbind as a specific reversal agent for Pradaxa in October 2015under accelerated approval—followed by full approval in April 2018—for use in the event of an urgent procedure/emergency surgery or uncontrollable/life-threatening bleeding.

Pradaxa is an anticoagulant used to prevent strokes in those with atrial fibrillation not caused by heart valve issues, as well as deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in persons who have been treated for 5–10 days with parenteral anticoagulant (usually low molecular weight heparin), and to prevent deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in some circumstances.