Pradaxa generic: Availability, cost, and more

In this article:

• Is there a generic for Pradaxa?
• Is dabigatran the same as Pradaxa?
• Pradaxa vs. dabigatran side effects
• Pradaxa vs. dabigatran cost and coverage
• Is there a cheaper alternative to Pradaxa?
• Compare the cost of Pradaxa alternatives
• Compare the cost of generic dabigatran alternatives
• How to save on Pradaxa

In this article

• Is there a generic for Pradaxa?
• Is dabigatran the same as Pradaxa?
• Pradaxa vs. dabigatran side effects
• Pradaxa vs. dabigatran cost and coverage
• Is there a cheaper alternative to Pradaxa?
• Compare the cost of Pradaxa alternatives
• Compare the cost of generic dabigatran alternatives
• How to save on Pradaxa

Pradaxa (dabigatran) is a prescription blood thinner used to help prevent and treat dangerous blood clots. It is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to reduce the risk of stroke and blood clots in people with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AFib). It’s also used to treat deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), especially after hip replacement surgery, and to help prevent blood clots from coming back. Although Pradaxa is effective for long-term blood clot prevention, the cost adds up without insurance or discounts. We’ll explain whether a generic version of Pradaxa is available, how the cost of the brand-name and generic options compares, and the differences between the two versions. 

Is there a generic for Pradaxa?

Yes, a generic version of Pradaxa is available. It’s called dabigatran etexilate (or dabigatran). Generic versions of Pradaxa have been approved since 2020, and there are many pharmaceutical companies that manufacture it. 

Is dabigatran the same as Pradaxa?

Pradaxa and dabigatran contain the same active ingredient, dabigatran etexilate. Pradaxa is the brand-name version originally developed and marketed by its manufacturer, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Both medications work the same way in the body to reduce the risk of blood clots. These drugs are considered direct thrombin inhibitors, meaning dabigatran blocks thrombin, a key enzyme involved in clot formation.

There are small differences between brand-name and generic medications. For example, dabigatran and Pradaxa capsules look different. Pradaxa capsules are typically blue, white, or blue and white, and are imprinted with the Boehringer Ingelheim logo and “R” followed by the dosage. Dabigatran’s capsules may be yellow, blue, blue and white, or beige with letters and numbers that vary by manufacturer.

Dabigatran and Pradaxa may also differ in their inactive ingredients. These ingredients are nonmedicinal, for example, binders or fillers that help stabilize the drug and deliver it properly. These differences do not affect how well the medication works or its safety. Generic medications must meet strict FDA standards for bioequivalence, and they are absorbed and act in the body in the same way as the brand-name version.

Pradaxa vs. dabigatran side effects

Pradaxa and dabigatran have the same side effect profile and carry the same warnings since they contain the same active ingredient. “Pradaxa can cause gastrointestinal upset, heartburn, and easy bruising, especially in the first few weeks, which is common,” shares Geny Augustine, a family medicine physician at Solace Health. Common side effects of the medications include:

• Bleeding, including serious bleeding (intracranial hemorrhage, gastrointestinal bleeding, and hemorrhagic stroke)
• Gastrointestinal symptoms, such as abdominal pain, indigestion, gastritis, gastrointestinal ulcer, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Hypersensitivity (allergic) reactions, including rash, itching, hives, swelling, and, rarely, anaphylaxis

The most serious side effects of Pradaxa and dabigatran involve major or life-threatening bleeding. The drug label also highlights that stopping dabigatran too soon without another anticoagulant can raise the risk of blood clots, stroke, or other thrombotic events. Extra caution is needed for people with spinal/epidural anesthesia, where there is a risk of a spinal/epidural hematoma (blood pooling) that can cause long-term or permanent paralysis.

Pradaxa and dabigatran are contraindicated in people with mechanical prosthetic heart valves and are not recommended for people with active bleeding or a history of allergic reactions to the drug. Drugs like rifampin and conditions like kidney disease can also change dabigatran levels and bleeding risk. 

Pradaxa vs. dabigatran cost and coverage

“As with any brand name versus generic medication, the brand can be significantly more expensive as it depends on the manufacturer’s pricing,” says Tonie Reincke, MD, medical director at Reincke Vein Center in Sugar Land, Texas. The average price of brand-name Pradaxa is $481 for 60, 150 mg capsules without insurance. That amounts to $5,772 for a year’s supply. In comparison, generic dabigatran etexilate is on average $394 for 60, 150 mg capsules without insurance. Over a year, this amounts to $4,728, more than $1,000 less than brand-name Pradaxa. 

Insurance coverage for Pradaxa and dabigatran can vary by plan. In general, when a generic medication is more affordable and available, insurance companies may choose to cover the generic over the brand-name. For example, some Medicare plans in New York and Medicaid in California (Medi-Cal) cover generic dabigatran but not Pradaxa. “Pradaxa is often placed on a higher tier than generics, and even with insurance, patients pay more out of pocket: either a higher copay or a higher percentage,” Dr. Augustine says. 

Is there a cheaper alternative to Pradaxa? 

If you’re looking for more affordable alternatives to Pradaxa, there are other blood thinners (anticoagulants) in the same or different drug classes. Pradaxa is a direct thrombin inhibitor, a type of direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) drug. Other prescription alternatives include factor Xa inhibitors such as Eliquis (apixaban), Xarelto (rivaroxaban), and Savaysa (edoxaban). Some patients may also be prescribed antiplatelet medications such as Plavix (clopidogrel), Brilinta (ticagrelor), or low-dose Aspirin, depending on their condition and risk factors. 

Among the brand-name alternatives, Eliquis is slightly more affordable than Pradaxa.  

Compare the cost of Pradaxa alternatives
Drug name	Average cost without insurance	How to save
Pradaxa (dabigatran)	$481 for 60, 150 mg capsules of brand-name Pradaxa	Get coupon
Eliquis (apixaban)	$401 for 28, 5 mg tablets of brand-name Eliquis	Get coupon
Plavix (clopidogrel)	$642 for 30, 75 mg tablets of brand-name Plavix	Get coupon
Xarelto (rivaroxaban)	$805 for 2.5 mg tablets of brand-name Xarelto	Get coupon
Savaysa (edoxaban)	$545 for 30, 60 mg tablets of brand-name Savaysa	Get coupon
Brilinta (ticagrelor)	$627 for 60, 90 mg tablets of brand-name Brilinta	Get coupon

Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing in ZIP code 23666 as of Jan. 20, 2026. Click the link under “Get coupon” to see the latest drug prices.

Clopidogrel and low-dose Aspirin are two generic medications that are, on average, more affordable than generic dabigatran. “In addition, older medications such as warfarin and heparin might be utilized as well,” shares Dr. Reincke. It’s important to know that these medications work differently from Pradaxa and aren’t approved for the same indications, so they may not be for everyone looking to switch. 

Compare the cost of generic dabigatran alternatives
Drug name	Average cost without insurance	How to save
Dabigatran etexilate	$394 for 60, 150 mg capsules of generic dabigatran	Get coupon
Clopidogrel bisulfate	$176 for 30, 75 mg tablets of generic clopidogrel bisulfate	Get coupon
Rivaroxaban	$693 for 60, 2.5 mg tablets of generic rivaroxaban	Get coupon
Ticagrelor	$454 per 60, 90 mg tablets of generic ticagrelor	Get coupon
Low-dose Aspirin	$13 for 90, 81 mg chewable tablets of branded generic low-dose Aspirin	Get coupon
Warfarin	$29 for 30, 5 mg tablets of generic warfarin	Get coupon
Heparin	$236 for 25, 1 mL of 5000 unit/mL vials of generic heparin	Get coupon

Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing in ZIP code 23666 as of Jan. 20, 2026. Click the link under “Get coupon” to see the latest drug prices.

Consider alternative treatments in collaboration with your healthcare provider, because switching anticoagulants requires careful timing to ensure there’s no gap in blood-thinning protection, according to Dr. Augustine. Do not stop Pradaxa suddenly or switch on your own, because early discontinuation without appropriate medical guidance can increase the risk of stroke, DVT, PE, or other blood clots. 

In addition, not all drug alternatives share the same approved indications, dosing, or safety profiles. Your healthcare provider can help you choose an option that fits your diagnosis, bleeding risk, kidney function, and budget, in addition to planning for a safe transition between treatments. “These are not changes patients should make on their own, and they should ask their care teams to walk them through a plan,” Dr. Augustinem says.

How to save on Pradaxa

If you’ve been prescribed Pradaxa, there are several ways to save on your out-of-pocket costs for your prescription. One of the simplest ways is to compare pharmacy prices. Cash prices for Pradaxa and dabigatran can vary widely between pharmacies, so checking multiple pharmacies or using online price comparison tools can help you find the lowest available price.

Switching to generic dabigatran is another effective way to save on your Pradaxa prescription. In addition, many insurance plans are more likely to cover generic dabigatran or have lower copays for the generic drug. 

Prescription discount cards such as SingleCare can significantly reduce costs, especially if you’re not using insurance benefits to help pay for your prescription. SingleCare is free to use, and you can get a coupon for dabigatran or brand-name Pradaxa by searching on SingleCare’s website or app. SingleCare also helps you compare prices at pharmacies near you, and you can use your discount at many major pharmacies such as CVS, Walgreens, and Kroger. 

With a SingleCare coupon, you can pay $48 instead of $394 for 60, 150 mg capsules of generic dabigatran.

Bottom line

Pradaxa is a brand-name anticoagulant drug with a generic version, dabigatran. Dabigatran works the same as Pradaxa, but it can be more affordable than the brand-name version. Switching to generics, comparing pharmacy prices, using insurance, and using a SingleCare coupon can help make your anticoagulant therapy more affordable in the long-term. 

Because Pradaxa and dabigatran are blood thinners with serious risks of stroke if stopped or changed incorrectly, any changes in your therapy should be done only under the guidance of your healthcare professional. Talk to your healthcare provider about the right medication for your condition, managing bleeding or blood clot risks, and affordable alternatives that are still safe and effective. 

The SingleCare prices in this article are the most accurate at the time of publishing in ZIP code 23666 as of Jan. 20, 2026. Prices vary by pharmacy. Visit our Pradaxa coupon page for updated Pradaxa prices near you.