12 April 2010

More than 70,000 Australians undergo hip and knee replacements every year, and need anticoagulant medicines for up to a month after surgery to prevent serious blood clots from forming. While previously these were in the form of a daily injection, tablet medicines are now sometimes an option.

To help people understand these medicines and how to use them safely, the latest edition of NPS Medicine Update provides independent reviews of the oral medicines dabigatran (Pradaxa) and rivaroxaban (Xarelto), listed on the PBS for preventing blood clots after hip or knee replacement surgery.

Anticoagulant medicines are started immediately after surgery and people must complete the full course because harmful blood clots can occur if the medicine is stopped early. Some hospitals will discharge people with enough tablets or capsules to complete the full course, but some people will need to get a prescription filled after they leave hospital to finish the course, depending on their hospital and state arrangements.

Dabigatran and rivaroxaban ‘thin’ the blood, so while taking them it’s important to avoid other medicines that may increase bleeding risk such as aspirin and anti-inflammatory medicines. These include ibuprofen, (Advil, Brufen, Nurofen), diclofenac (Voltaren) and naproxen (Naprosyn, Naproleve, Naprogesic). As with all medicines, people should consider the potential side effects with their doctor based on their personal circumstances.

To learn more about what you need to consider if taking dabigatran and rivaroxaban, including potential side effects, read Medicine Update at www.nps.org.au/consumers/publications/medicine_update

If you have further questions about these medicines you can download the Consumer Medicine Information leaflet from www.nps.org.au/cmi or call the NPS Medicines Line on 1300 888 763 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm EST) and speak to a qualified pharmacist.

ENDS

The National Prescribing Service Limited (NPS) is an independent, not-for-profit organisation for quality use of medicines funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.