OVERVIEW

Direct-Acting Oral Anticoagulants is organized by The Rx Consultant.

Publication Date: 11/23/2018
Expiration Date: 11/23/2021
CE Credit: 1.5 (0.15 CEU)

Course Description:
For more than 50 years, vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) such as warfarin were the only oral anticoagulant options for patients with blood clotting disorders. In 2010, dabigatran (Pradaxa®) - a direct thrombin inhibitor - became the first approved agent from the next generation of oral anticoagulants. Over the next 7 years, 4 factor Xa inhibitor oral anticoagulants were FDA approved. These include rivaroxaban (Xarelto®), apixaban (Eliquis®), edoxaban (Savaysa™), and most recently, betrixaban (Bevyxxa®). Early on, this generation of oral anticoagulants was referred to as NOACs (Novel Oral AntiCoagulants). However, the Institute For Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) issued a safety alert because “NoAC” was interpreted as “no anticoagulation” in a patient at high risk of stroke. The ISMP designated “NoAC” a potentially dangerous abbreviation and discourages its use. Today, the acronym DOAC, for Direct-acting Oral AntiCoagulant, is the abbreviation most widely used to distinguish these medications from warfarin.

Goals & Objectives:
At the conclusion of this program, participants will be able to:
• Educate patients with non-valvular AF about stroke prevention. Discuss the signs of a DVT and its treatment.
• Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of DOACs compared with warfarin. Recognize the FDA-approved indications for different DOACs.
• List DOAC side effects, dosing regimens, and drug interactions. Discuss their use in patients with kidney impairment.
• Discuss bleeding management and the use of DOAC reversal agents. Counsel patients about the signs of bleeding linked to anticoagulation.