Patient was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking Dabigatran as follows:
- Patients taking Dabigatran can present with nose bleeds at the slightest injury. Avoid excessive sneezing and nose picking, which can result in heavy nose bleeds. Also, avoid exposure to extreme cold climate, as the weather in cold seasons dry the mucus membrane out, thus damaging the integrity of nasal mucosa and resulting in nasal bleeds, that can be difficult to stop.
- Patients taking Dabigatran can present with easy gingival bleeding. Sometimes, the bleeding can be easily precipitated, even during brushing of the teeth. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles. Do not use a regular floss, as it injures the gums and results in swollen gums and intense bleed. Try using a waxed floss, instead of regular floss.
- Maintain a close watch for symptoms of hypotension, such as, confusion and dizziness along with symptoms of anemia, such as, pale skin, exacerbation of shortness of breath, poor endurance, and fatigue. These symptoms in individuals taking Dabigatran could be secondary to an undiagnosed internal bleed with loss of blood and should be immediately reported.
- Maintain strict compliance with intake of Dabigatran as ordered, with regards to dosage and frequency, to derive the benefit of the medication. Noncompliance with this recommendation can result in episodes of bleeding or clot formation. So, do not change your dose of Dabigatran, without your doctor’s recommendation.
