A NEW blood-thinning drug could end the use of rat poison as a primary medical treatment to prevent strokes, it has been claimed.
For half a century, thousands of patients at risk of stroke have been given warfarin to prevent blood clotting.
But treatment with the drug, commonly used to kill vermin, is risky.
Doses have to be carefully watched and adjusted to prevent excessive bleeding from cuts or stomach ulcers, requiring frequent clinic visits. Warfarin can also interact badly with other drugs and certain foods, including green vegetables and grapefruit.
Results from a major trial today showed that the new drug, Pradaxa, was 34% better at reducing the risk of stroke and blood clots in at-risk patients than well-controlled warfarin.
