A new blood-thinning drug has been approved for use by the NHS in Scotland.
The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) said Pradaxa is a viable alternative to Warfarin for some patients.
It can be used to prevent blood clots and stroke in adults with atrial fibrillation - an irregular or abnormally fast heart rate.
The SMC said studies have shown that the drug performed as well in preventing strokes as Warfarin.
It added that Pradaxa did not lead to an increased risk of major bleeding compared with Warfarin. However, dyspepsia - indigestion - was significantly more common with the new drug than with Warfarin.
The SMC explained that it accepted Pradaxa because it is effective and offers reasonable value for money.
In addition, patients do not need to have their blood monitored after receiving the medicine.
The SMC also accepted the drugs Simponi for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis and Viread for chronic hepatitis B in adults with decompensated liver disease.
It also accepted Azacitidine for the treatment of adult patients with certain illnesses who are not eligible for haematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
The SMC said it accepted Azacitidine for use in NHS Scotland because, although the value for money offered by the medicine is relatively poor, "it has the potential to extend life in patients with a terminal illness".
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