Dabigatran etexilate

개요Dabigatran etexilate is an orally administered pro-drug of dabigatran, which is a direct inhibitor of thrombin and a potent anticoagulant. The serine protease thrombin is the final mediator in the coagulation cascade that leads to the production of fibrin, the main protein component of blood clots. Thrombin is also a potent activator of platelets. Consequently, thrombin inhibitors have found utility as anticoagulants in treating arterial and venous thrombosis. Warfarin, although orally available, has a narrow therapeutic index and requires frequent monitoring and dosage adjustment. Low-molecular-weight heparins provide better safety profile and less inter-patient variability; however, these agents are only available for parenteral administration. Direct thrombin inhibitors (DTIs) are a new class of anticoagulants that act by directly binding to thrombin at its catalytic or fibrinogen-binding sites, or both. Unlike the heparins, DTIs do not require the activation of secondary factors such as antithrombin to derive their activity, which makes their action more predictable. In addition, their ability to inhibit both free and clot-bound thrombin predisposes them for enhanced anticoagulation effect.

용도Dabigatran Etexilate is an oral anticoagulant and direct thrombin inhibitor.