Synonyms in a broader sense
Phenprocoumon (active ingredient name), coumarins, vitamin K antagonists (inhibitors), anticoagulants, anticoagulants
What are alternatives to Marcumar®?
The commercial product Pradaxa® contains the active ingredient dabigatran etexilate. The active ingredient is a direct thrombin inhibitor. This means that it directly and reversibly inhibits so-called thrombin.
Thrombin plays an important role in blood clotting. The active ingredient dabigatran etexilate thus inhibits blood clotting in this way. The indications are similar to those of the active ingredient phenprocoumon.
Pradaxa® has a much shorter half-life of 12-14 hours than Macumar®. The advantage of this is that it allows a more flexible response. If unplanned operations have to be performed and the blood-thinning effect of the medication has to be stopped quickly, a short half-life of the active ingredient is practical.
However, a longer half-life, as with Marcumar®, has the advantage that stability in the blood plasma can be achieved. Moreover, under certain conditions, coagulation monitoring is not necessary during treatment with Pradaxa®. This means that the target range of the INR value can be assessed in people with healthy liver and kidney functions.
It is more difficult in people with kidney or liver disorders. However, the methods of coagulation monitoring, as with Marcumar®, cannot be used for Pradaxa®. There are special tests to control the effect of dabigatran etexilate.
But these tests are only available in special laboratories. Furthermore, Marcumar® and Pradaxa® are metabolised differently. Since the active ingredient dabigatran etexilate is metabolized via the so-called P-glycoprotein, it is independent of certain enzymes on which Marcumar® is dependent.
Therefore, there is less interaction with other drugs during treatment with dabigatran etexilate. However, there may be interactions with drugs that inhibit the P-glycoprotein. An example of this is the antibiotic clarithromycin.
However, the active ingredient dabigatran etexilate is largely independent of food ingredients. Since it is eliminated up to 85% via the kidneys, it is dependent on good kidney function. Moreover, the preparation Pradaxa® is much more expensive than Marcumar®.
