If you’re looking at medications to treat or prevent blood clots, you may want to learn more about Pradaxa (dabigatran).

It’s a prescription blood thinner used in adults to treat certain blood clots, or venous thromboembolisms (VTEs), including:

Pradaxa is also used to help prevent blood clots in certain adults with:

In addition, Pradaxa can be used in some children to treat VTE and can help prevent VTE in certain children who’ve had it in the past.

Pradaxa comes as a capsule that you swallow.

Keep reading for details on Pradaxa and cost, and how to save money on prescriptions.

Note: For more details on Pradaxa, see this in-depth article.

The price you pay for Pradaxa can vary. Your cost may depend on your treatment plan, your insurance coverage (if you have it), and the pharmacy you use. To find out how much you’ll pay for Pradaxa or your cost per month, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Note: If you have insurance, you may need to get prior authorization before your insurance provider will cover Pradaxa. This means your insurer and your doctor will discuss Pradaxa in regard to your treatment. Then the insurance company will determine whether the drug is covered. If Pradaxa requires prior authorization and you don’t receive it before you start treatment, you could pay the full cost of the drug.

Be sure to ask your insurance company whether Pradaxa requires prior authorization.

Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about Pradaxa and cost.

Does the price of Pradaxa depend on the capsule strength (75 mg, 110 mg, or 150 mg)?

Yes, it’s possible for your capsule strength to affect the price you pay for Pradaxa. You may pay more for 150-mg capsules than 75-mg capsules, since the higher strength capsules contain more of the drug.

But if your insurance covers Pradaxa, you may have the same copay regardless of your capsule strength.

The best way to determine your cost for Pradaxa is to contact your insurance provider (if you have health insurance), or your pharmacist (if you don’t have insurance).

What is the cost of Pradaxa with Medicare?

The cost of Pradaxa with Medicare depends on many factors, including:

  • your dosage
  • the pharmacy you use
  • your specific Medicare plan

The best way to determine what Pradaxa may cost you is to ask your pharmacist or Medicare plan representative. They can give you an estimate of your cost for the drug.

Although people with Medicare aren’t eligible for the Pradaxa Savings Card, you may be able to get a 30-day supply of the drug for free. To learn more or to see if you may qualify, see the Pradaxa webpage.

Is there a manufacturer coupon available to help with the cost of Pradaxa?

Yes, there’s a manufacturer coupon available for this drug called the Pradaxa Savings Card. It’s only available for people who have commercial insurance. For more information about this savings card, visit the webpage or call 877-481-5332.

Pradaxa only comes as a brand-name drug. It’s not currently available in a generic version. A generic drug contains an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication, but tends to cost less than the brand-name drug.

Why is there such a cost difference between brand-name drugs and generics?

Years of research and testing are needed to ensure that brand-name drugs are safe and effective. This testing can make the drugs expensive. The manufacturer of a brand-name drug can sell the drug for up to 20 years. After that, other drugmakers can create generic versions. This competition in the market can lead to lower costs for generics. And because generics have the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs, they don’t need to be studied again. This can also lead to lower generic costs.

If you take Pradaxa long term, you may be able to lower your costs in the following ways:

Look into getting a 90-day supply of your medication. You may be able to get a 90-day supply of Pradaxa if approved by your insurance company. This could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost of the drug. If you’re interested in getting a 90-day supply of Pradaxa, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Use a mail-order pharmacy to get your medication. Using a mail-order pharmacy might help lower your cost for Pradaxa. And you could get your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order drugs. You may also be able to get a 90-day supply of the drug through mail order. If you don’t have health insurance, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest online pharmacy options that could work for you.

If you need help covering the cost of Pradaxa or understanding your insurance, check out these online resources:

On these sites, you can find insurance information, details on drug assistance programs, and links to savings cards and other services.

If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

If you still have questions about the cost of Pradaxa, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to give you a better idea of what you’ll pay for this drug. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk to your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you’d pay.

Examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor or insurance provider include:

  • Will my dosage of Pradaxa affect how much the drug costs me?
  • If I can’t afford Pradaxa, are there other financial assistance options available to me?
  • Are there lower-cost treatments for my condition?

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Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.