Edoxaban for reducing the risk of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation.

Edoxaban for reducing the risk of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation. Expert Opin Pharmacother. 2015 Dec;16(17):2661-78 Authors: Dzeshka MS, Lip GY Abstract INTRODUCTION: Oral anticoagulation is central to the management of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and at least one additional stroke risk factor. For decades, the vitamin K antagonists (e.g. warfarin) remained the only oral anticoagulant available for stroke prevention in AF. The non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are now available, and these drugs include the direct thrombin inhibitors and factor Xa inhibitors. The latter class includes edoxaban, which has recently been approved for stroke prevention in AF by the United States Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicine Agency. In line with other NOACs, edoxaban avoids the many limitations of warfarin associated with variability of anticoagulation effect and multiple food and drug interactions. AREAS COVERED: In this review, the currently available evidence on edoxaban in patients with non-valvular AF is discussed. The pharmacology, efficacy and safety, and current aspects of use of edoxaban in patients with non-valvular AF for stroke and thromboembolism prevention are reviewed. EXPERT OPINION: Phase III trials on edoxaban for stroke prevention in non-valvular AF confirms non-inferiority of edoxaban compared to well-managed warfarin both in ter...
Source: Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Tags: Expert Opin Pharmacother Source Type: research