Mechanism of Action

• Active site and exosite 1 thrombin inhibitor

Half-Life

• 2 hours

Metabolism

• Urine (40% to 50% as unchanged drug)

Dosing – Adult

• DVT Prophylaxis: 15 mg S.C. BID Q 12 hours
• Initial dose may be given 5-15 min before surgery
• Has been given up to 12 days in clinical trials

Dosing – Pediatric

• Safety and efficacy in pediatric patients not established

Monitoring

• No monitoring required
• Can use APTT

* Lower doses may be considered for patients at risk for bleeding and stroke patients.
**Favor twice daily dosing for patients with cancer or high risk of bleeding or thrombosis. For patients who are obese use actual body weight to calculate dose.
*** Obese patients may require a decreased starting dose if dosing is based upon their actual body weight. Consider starting these patients at 12 IU/kg/hr based on actual body weight and titrating the dose based upon UFH levels.