title: Ximelagatran: pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of a new strategy for oral direct thrombin inhibition.
abstract: Because thrombin is central to the development and propagation of both arterial and venous thrombi, it is a logical therapeutic target. Direct thrombin inhibitors, such as ximelagatran, offer the distinct advantage of inhibiting fibrin-bound as well as free thrombin. The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of ximelagatran are predictable across a broad spectrum of patients. The half-life of melagatran, ximelagatran's active metabolite, is consistent with twice-daily dosing and fixed-dose administration without the need for monitoring. There have been no known drug interactions with ximelagatran, and the agent is not metabolized by the hepatic cytochrome P-450 system. For these reasons, orally active direct thrombin inhibitors such as ximelagatran will likely become the standard for long-term anticoagulation.
authors.affiliation: Lindner Center for Research and Education, Ohio Heart Health Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
authors.forename: Dean J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Kereiakes
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001384:Azetidines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001596:Benzylamines; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D001384:Azetidines; D001596:Benzylamines; C426686:ximelagatran