Experimental Drug Reduces Stroke Risk

Posted on August 31, 2009 in Health & Medicine

An experimental drug reduces the stroke risk in people with irregular heartbeats by more than three times compared with the drug warfarin, researchers are saying. But the new medication also appears to increase the risk of heart attacks and stomach pains, leaving patients with a difficult choice,

Researchers presented their findings about the drug, called dabigatran etexilate, at the European Society of Cardiology meeting in Barcelona. Dabigatran has not yet been approved in the United States, although it is marketed under the name of Pradaxa in 40 countries and used to treat blood clots. The German pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim manufactures the drug.

Warfarin has generally helped patients with irregular heartbeats, or atrial fibrillation, drop their risk of stroke to 0.38 percent per year. One study promises that dabigatran will decrease the risk to 0.10 percent per year, as well as being easier and less confusing to dose. However, the experimental drug may take years to get approved. Extensive research on the slight increase in heart attacks still needs to be done.

Patients with irregular heartbeats are up to five times more likely to have a stroke. After age 55, the incidence of atrial fibrillation doubles with each decade of life and additional risk factor like diabetes and high blood pressure.