Drug description:

Dabigatran etexilate mesylate is an anticoagulant.
It is indicated for a primary prevention of venous thromboembolic events in adult patients who have undergone elective total hip replacement surgery or total knee replacement surgery. It is indicated in a prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in adult patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF), with one or more risk factors, such as prior stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA); age ≥ 75 years; heart failure (NYHA Class ≥ II); diabetes mellitus; hypertension. It is used in a treatment of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), and prevention of recurrent DVT and PE in adults.
It is formulated as capsule for oral administration.

Mechanism of action:

Dabigatran etexilate is a direct thrombin inhibitor and is the main active principle in plasma. Thrombin enables the conversion of fibrinogen into fibrin during the coagulation cascade. Inhibition of thrombin prevents the development of thrombus. Dabigatran also inhibits free thrombin, fibrin-bound thrombin and thrombin-induced platelet aggregation.