Are there alternatives to Pradaxa?

There are other anti-coagulant drugs prescribed for atrial fibrillation patients, including Coumadin (warfarin), aspirin, and heparin, but each comes with its own attendant risks and side-effects. Warfarin, the most widely prescribed drug before the creation of Pradaxa, takes several days to take effect, requires close and thorough monitoring to determine correct dosage, and cannot be taken with certain foods and medications. However, recent studies have shown that Warfarin patients have a reduced risk of heart attacks and heart disease symptoms compared to Pradaxa patients.