Category: pharmacological
Aliases: Pradaxa, dabigatran etexilate, BIBR 1048
Dabigatran etexilate is an oral prodrug; esterase hydrolysis in gut/liver/plasma yields active dabigatran, a reversible, competitive direct thrombin inhibitor that binds both free and fibrin-bound thrombin. Absorption from the gut requires an acidic microenvironment — hence the tartaric-acid pellet formulation and the tendency for dyspepsia. ~80% renal elimination makes creatinine clearance the dominant determinant of exposure. Specific reversal agent: idarucizumab.
PO: 13h