Anticoagulants Flashcards
What are the different classes of anticoagulants?
- Indirect thrombin inhibitors
- Direct thrombin inhibitors
- Indirect factor Xa inhibitors
- Direct factor Xa inhibitors
- Fibrinolytic agents
- Vitamin K antagonists
- Antiplatelets
What are the two indirect thrombin inhibitors?
Unfractionated heparin and low molecular weight heparin
What is the mechanism of action of the indirect thrombin inhibitors?
They bind to antithrombin causing a conformational change. This conformation change allows antithrombin to rapidly bind to factors IIa and Xa and inhibit their function.
What is the activity for UFH?
It has a high affinity for antithrombin and can inhibit both factor IIa and Xa
What is the activity for LMWH?
It is made up of fragments of UFH; therefore, it has a lower affinity for antithrombin and can inhibit factor Xa but has little inhibitory effect on IIa
What are the toxicities associated with indirect thrombin inhibitors?
- Bleeding
- Thrombocytopenia
- Caution w/ allergies
What is heparin made up of?
Sulfated mucopolysaccharides that are very acidic
What is heparin used to treat?
Full dose IV: venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism
Lower dose SC: after surgery in high risk patients
What is the antidote for heparin?
Protamine sulfate
How does protamine sulfate work?
It binds to heparin forming an inactivated salt that is excreted by the kidneys
What are the advantages of LMWH?
- Greater bioavailability with SC; therefore, it has a more predictive anticoagulant response
- Longer half-life and less frequent dosing
- Three available preparations
What are the advantages of UFH?
- Rapid reversal of anticoagulant effect with protamine sulfate
- Doesn’t get clear by kidneys and may be safer in patients with renal insufficiencies
- Direct inhibitor of the contact activation pathway
What are the disadvantages of UFH?
- More likely to cause heparin induced thrombocytopenia
2. More variable anticoagulant response that requires monitoring
What drug is a direct thrombin inhibitor?
Dabigatran (Pradaxa)
What is the activity of Dabigitran?
It is used to prevent thromboembolic disorders such as venous thromboembolism, DVT, and thromboemobolic stroke
What types of thrombin does dabigatran inhibit?
fibrin bound and free thrombin
What is the mechanism of action of Dabigatran?
It is a potent, competitive, reversible inhibitor that binds to the active site of thrombin and inhibits its effects
What are the toxicities associated with Dabigatran?
- Dyspepsia
- Gastritis
- Bleeding (higher risk of general and GI bleeding than warfarin)
- Hemorrhagic stroke
Does Dabigatran require monitoring?
No, it’s effects are less variable than warfarin
Does dabigatran require a modified diet?
No
What is the half-life of dabigatran compared to warfarin?
It has a shorter half-life; therefore, missed doses could increase risk of thrombosis
What is the antidote for dabigatran?
Idarucizumab
Can dabigatran’s anticoagulant properties be measured during therapy?
No
What drug is an indirect factor Xa inhibitor?
Fondaparinux
What is the activity of fondaparinux?
It’s as safe and effective as UFH and LMWH in the prophylaxis and treatment of venous thromboembolism
What is the mechanism of action of fondaparinux?
It binds to antithrombin and indirectly inhibits factor Xa. This inhibits thrombin production in both pathways.
What are the toxicities associated with fondaparinux?
Much less likely to cause heparin-induced thrombocytopenia
What is fondaparinux (structural level)?
A synthetic analog of the pentasaccharide sequence of heparin
What type of factor can fondaparinux, UFH, and LMWH inhibit?
Only free circulating factor Xa