Cite this page: Pernick N. Dabigatran. PathologyOutlines.com website. https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/coagulationdabigatran.html. Accessed November 29th, 2023.
Definition / general
- Oral anti - coagulant (also rivaroxaban, apixaban) with minimal food and drug interactions that does not require coagulation monitoring
- Drug is very expensive, and is affected by humidity (Wikipedia)
- Dabigatran etexilate is prodrug of dabigatran, a direct thrombin inhibitor
- Alternative to warfarin for reducing the risk of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (J Clin Pharmacol 2012;52:119S, J Med Econ 2012;15:695) or venous thromboembolism (N Engl J Med 2009;361:2342, Vasc Health Risk Manag 2012;8:45)
- Good patient compliance (Orthop Traumatol Surg Res 2012;98:186)
- INR levels are not necessary, and are substantially higher using Hemochron Jr. point-of-care device compared with laboratory values (Am J Med 2012;125:417)
- Can use HEMOCLOT direct thrombin inhibitor assay to determine plasma concentrations of dabigatran (Blood Coagul Fibrinolysis 2012;23:138)
- Contraindications: nonvalvular atrial fibrillation patients with renal insufficiency (Rinsho Shinkeigaku 2011;51:1004), INR 2.0 or greater, age 80 years or greater (N Engl J Med 2012;366:864)