Direct%252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252520oral%252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252520anticoagulants

# Direct Oral Anticoagulants (DOACs) ## Overview Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are a class of drugs that inhibit specific factors in the coagulation cascade, thereby reducing thrombus formation. They include direct thrombin inhibitors (e.g., dabigatran) and Factor Xa inhibitors (e.g., rivaroxaban, apixaban, edoxaban, betrixaban). ## Primary Indications * Treatment and prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). * Stroke prophylaxis in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). * Prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with NVAF. * Prophylaxis for venous thromboembolism (VTE) following hip or knee replacement surgery. ## Adult Dosing Dosing varies by agent, indication, and renal function. Specific doses are agent-dependent: * **Dabigatran:** * NVAF stroke prophylaxis: 150 mg twice daily (may be reduced to 75 mg twice daily in specific populations). * DVT/PE treatment and prophylaxis: 150 mg twice daily (may be reduced to 75 mg twice daily in specific populations). * **Rivaroxaban:** * NVAF stroke prophylaxis: 20 mg once daily (taken with evening meal). * DVT/PE treatment and prophylaxis: 15 mg once daily for 21 days, then 20 mg once daily. * VTE prophylaxis post