Drug reference
dabigatran etexilate
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Drug class
Cardiovascular (Anti Thrombotics)
Mechanism of action
Prevents thrombus development through direct, competitive inhibition of thrombin (thrombin enables fibrinogen conversion to fibrin during the coagulation cascade) Inhibits free and clot-bound thrombin and thrombin-induced platelet aggregation
Common side effects
- Angioedema
- Dyspepsia and gastritis
- Bleeding
Boxed warnings
- Premature discontinuation Premature discontinuation of any oral anticoagulant, including dabigatran, increases the risk of thrombotic events If dabigatran must be discontinued for a reason other than pathological bleeding, consider coverage with another anticoagulant Spinal/epidural hematoma Epidural or spinal hematomas may occur in patients who are receiving neuraxial anesthesia or undergoing spinal puncture These hematomas may result in long-term or permanent paralysis Monitor patients frequently for signs and symptoms of neurological impairment; if neurological compromi…
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity to drug or excipients Active pathologic bleeding
- Significantly more thromboembolic events (eg, valve thrombosis, stroke, TIAs, MI) observed with dabigatran than with warfarin
- These bleeding and thromboembolic events, seen in the RE-ALIGN study (Am Heart J, June 2012), were observed in patients who were started on dabigatran postoperatively within 3 days after mechanical bileaflet valve implantation, as well as in patients whose valves had been implanted more than 3 mont…
- Excessive major bleeding (predominantly postoperative pericardial effusions requiring intervention for hemodynamic compromise) observed with dabigatran, compared with warfarin
Related conditions
Frequently asked questions
What drug class is dabigatran etexilate?
dabigatran etexilate belongs to: Cardiovascular.
How does dabigatran etexilate work?
Prevents thrombus development through direct, competitive inhibition of thrombin (thrombin enables fibrinogen conversion to fibrin during the coagulation cascade) Inhibits free and clot-bound thrombin and thrombin-induced platelet aggregation
What are the common side effects of dabigatran etexilate?
Angioedema, Dyspepsia and gastritis, Bleeding
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