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Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are being increasingly used in the clinical setting for patients at risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and/or stroke. These medications offer valued benefits for long-term use, including a fast onset of anticoagulation, fixed anticoagulation profile (and consequent prescription of specified doses) and no requirement for routine monitoring. Apixaban is a selective factor Xa inhibitor, approved for use in the prevention of stroke in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation and in the prevention and treatment of acute VTE. Like many of the DOACs, it has a fast onset of action and works to deliver predictable coagulation results. Multiple randomized controlled trials including ARISTOTLE and AMPLIFY have shown apixaban to be noninferior to vitamin K antagonists in the prevention of stroke and VTE, with a good safety profile. This article aims to review the use of apixaban for the prevention and treatment of thromboembolic disease, highlighting the key study results that have led to its current licensing and use.

Original publication

DOI

10.2147/vhrm.s121944

Type

Journal article

Journal

Vascular health and risk management

Publication Date

10/07/2017

Volume

13

Pages

263 - 267

Addresses

Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.

Keywords

Humans, Hemorrhage, Pyrazoles, Pyridones, Treatment Outcome, Administration, Oral, Risk Factors, Blood Coagulation, Stroke, Venous Thromboembolism, Factor Xa Inhibitors