Key result
Dabigatran 75 mg use peaks at 22.2 per 10,000 in Canterbury, reflecting local guideline differences.
Why the study?
Dabigatran etexilate carries an increased risk of bleeding at high drug exposure, motivating an analysis of geographical dispensing variability across health districts.
Observational
Yes
There is significant geographical variability in the use of the 75 mg dose of dabigatran across New Zealand health districts, likely driven by local guidelines and clinical pharmacology services.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Local guidelines may shape dabigatran dosing; leaves open effects on outcomes and need for standardized protocols.
Dabigatran etexilate is an oral anticoagulant with increased risk of bleeding at high drug exposure. It is available in three capsule strengths (75, 110 and 150 mg). We analysed New Zealand dispensing data from 2019 to 2023 to compare use between health districts. Overall use was similar across districts. Canterbury had the highest 75 mg use (22.2 vs 1.6–7.6 people per 10 000 in the other districts). This relates to differences in local guidelines, therapeutic drug monitoring and availability of clinical pharmacology services. It is unknown if there are differences in patient outcomes.
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Berryman et al. (2026) conducted an observational in Anticoagulation. Dabigatran etexilate vs. Other health districts was evaluated on Dabigatran 75 mg use per 10,000 people. Dabigatran 75 mg use was highest in Canterbury compared to other New Zealand health districts (22.2 vs 1.6–7.6 people per 10,000), reflecting differences in local guidelines and monitoring.
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