Which statement about dabigatran is true?

Which statement about dabigatran is true?

• A. It is a direct thrombin inhibitor
• B. It inhibits factor Xa
• C. It is administered IV
• D. It is reversed with Vitamin K

Answer: (A)

Dabigatran works by directly inhibiting thrombin (factor IIa), stopping the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin and thereby preventing clot formation. This makes it a direct thrombin inhibitor, which is why the statement is true. It is taken by mouth as the prodrug dabigatran etexilate, not given intravenously, and its reversal is with idarucizumab, not Vitamin K. Dabigatran does not target factor Xa (that would describe rivaroxaban, apixaban, or edoxaban). Vitamin K reversal applies to warfarin, not dabigatran.

Dabigatran works by directly inhibiting thrombin (factor IIa), stopping the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin and thereby preventing clot formation. This makes it a direct thrombin inhibitor, which is why the statement is true. It is taken by mouth as the prodrug dabigatran etexilate, not given intravenously, and its reversal is with idarucizumab, not Vitamin K. Dabigatran does not target factor Xa (that would describe rivaroxaban, apixaban, or edoxaban). Vitamin K reversal applies to warfarin, not dabigatran.