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Dabigatran etexilate (DE) (dabigatran-etexilate-de)

Pfizer Inc. · discontinued

Dabigatran etexilate (DE) as oral capsule

Dabigatran etexilate is a direct thrombin inhibitor anticoagulant approved to reduce stroke risk in patients with atrial fibrillation and to treat venous thromboembolism. Unlike warfarin, it works by directly blocking thrombin without requiring INR monitoring, offering a more predictable anticoagulant effect with fixed dosing.

At a glance

Generic namedabigatran-etexilate-de
SponsorPfizer Inc.
Drug classDabigatran etexilate (DE) as oral capsule
TargetMultidrug and toxin extrusion protein 1, Multidrug and toxin extrusion protein 2, Ribosyldihydronicotinamide dehydrogenase [quinone]
Therapeutic areaCardiovascular
Phasediscontinued

Mechanism of action

Dabigatran etexilate is an anticoagulant medication that prevents blood clots by targeting a specific protein in your blood called thrombin. Thrombin is a key enzyme that acts like the final trigger in the clotting cascade—it converts fibrinogen into fibrin, which forms the structural meshwork of blood clots. By directly inhibiting thrombin, dabigatran essentially stops this final step of clot formation before it can happen. When you take dabigatran etexilate, it's quickly converted in your body to its active form, dabigatran. This active form circulates in your bloodstream and continuously blocks thrombin molecules, preventing them from doing their job. This makes your blood less likely to form dangerous clots in the heart, veins, or arteries. The medication is particularly useful in conditions like atrial fibrillation, where irregular heartbeats create stagnant blood flow that promotes clot formation. A major advantage of dabigatran compared to older anticoagulants like warfarin is that it works predictably without requiring frequent blood tests or dietary restrictions. You take it at a fixed dose, and it provides consistent anticoagulation. However, because it works so directly and powerfully, careful monitoring for bleeding risk is still important, and it cannot be used in certain patient populations or with specific medications.

Approved indications

Pipeline indications

Common side effects

No common side effects on file.

Key clinical trials

Primary sources

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SourceUsed for
ClinicalTrials.govTrial enrolment, design, endpoints, results

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