Two prescription drugs, Pradax and Plavix, have similar names that have resulted in drug mix-ups in Canada, including harm to a patient, Health Canada warns.

Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd., and Sanofi-Aventis Canada Inc. joined the agency Tuesday in warning patients of the risk of medication errors associated with the drugs Pradax (dabigatran) and Plavix (clopidogrel). Health care professionals have raised concerns about potential for confusion between the prescription medications Plavix and Pradax. Jeff Haynes/Reuters

Pradax is a blood thinner prescribed to patients who have an irregular heartbeat. It is also used after hip or knee replacement surgery to prevent blood clots.

Plavix helps keep platelets in the blood from sticking together and forming clots that could lead to heart attack or stroke, Health Canada said. Plavix can be prescribed in combination with ASA to patients with irregular heartbeat who cannot take blood thinners.

Since January, a total of five Canadian cases involving drug name mix-ups between Pradax and Plavix have been reported, including one patient who had non-serious bleeding after a medical procedure.

There have also been two reports of concerns raised by health care professionals about potential for confusion because the names of the two drugs are similar.

Receiving Pradax instead of Plavix or vice versa may result in harm, including increased risk of bleeding, stroke, heart attack or blood clots, Health Canada said.

Patients are encouraged to be aware of the names and uses of the medications they are taking and to keep a list of current medications with them.

To prevent medication errors:

• Make sure that you can clearly read the name of the medication on any written prescription. If you cannot, you should ask your doctor to print the name on the prescription.
• Make sure you know why the doctor has prescribed the medication for you.
• Discuss with your pharmacist why you are receiving the medication, the properties of the drug and ask any questions if you are not clear.
• Read the patient leaflet provided with the medication and ask any questions of your doctor or pharmacist.
• Know what your medications look like and raise any questions if there is a change in appearance.
• Keep an up-to-date list of all medications you are taking.
• Show this list to any doctor, pharmacist or dentist or if you are admitted to a hospital; or bring all the medications you are currently taking with you.