[The new Anticoagulants - Relevant Facts for the GP]

Goal of this article is to select three molecules from all the candidates currently under clincial development and to present and comapre their characteristics. Dabigatran is a direct thrombin (FIIa) inhibitor, whereas Rivaroxaban and Apixaban are direct factor Xa (FXa) inhibitors. All three represent small molecules thatreversibly, rapidly and directly bind to their target, the active center of the respective activated coagulation factor. Phase III data have been published for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis for each of these three drugs. Interestingly, VTE prophylaxis is initiated postoperatively with these products. Rivaroxaban currently holds the only accepted indication in Switzerland. For the indications VTE, atrial fibrillation and acute coronary syndrome promising phase III data have been or are in the process of being published. Monitoring is not necessary for any of these three new anticoagulants.