A Clearinghouse for Information about Blood Clots (DVT/)PE) and Clotting Disorders (thrombophilia) provided as a public service by the University of North Carolina Blood Research Center

Category: Therapy

  • Use of Eliquis and Xarelto After Gastric Banding or Other Weight Loss Surgery

    Dr. Stephan Moll writes (last updated: March 25th, 2020)… Question: Can a person who needs to be on a blood thinner and who has had gastric banding or gastric bypass surgery for weight loss be on Eliquis®, Xarelto®, Pradaxa®, or Savaysa®? Answer: Warfarin is currently the preferred choice, because the absorption of the direct oral anticoagulants…

  • New Oral Anticoagulant FDA Approved – Bevyxxa (Betrixaban)

    Stephan Moll, MD writes… On June 23, 2017, the FDA approved a 5th new oral anticoagulant for clinical use, Bevyxxa® (= Betrixaban). It is approved to prevent DVT and PE in patients who are significantly immobile during and after hospitalization for an acute medical illness. Full prescribing information: here.  FDA details: here. In the APEX study…

  • Antiphospholipid Syndrome: Can the New Oral Anticoagulants Be Used?

    Stephan Moll, MD and Damon Houghton, MD write … In patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) who require anticoagulation for the treatment of DVT or PE, warfarin or a low molecular weight heparin have traditionally been used. A question that comes up is whether one of the new oral anticoagulants (DOACs) can be effectively and safely…

  • New Oral Anticoagulant FDA Approved – Bevyxxa (Betrixaban)

    Stephan Moll, MD writes… On June 23, 2017, the FDA approved a 5th new oral anticoagulant for clinical use, Bevyxxa® (= Betrixaban). It is approved to prevent DVT and PE in patients who are significantly immobile during and after hospitalization for an acute medical illness. Full prescribing information: here.  FDA details: here. In the APEX study…

  • NO FDA Approval Yet for Andexanet

    Stephan Moll, MD writes… The FDA did NOT approve Andexanet (brand names: AndexXa™ in the US, IndexXa™ in Europe) in a decision on August 18th, 2016.  Andexanet is the antidote in clinical development to reverse the anticoagulant effect of Eliquis® (rivaroxaban), Savaysa® (edoxaban), Xarelto® (rivaroxaban) and Lovenox® (enoxaparin).  The FDA is said to have requested more information from…

  • Heavier Menstrual Bleeding on Xarelto?

    Stephan Moll, MD writes… Interesting and noteworthy observations published in the last 2 weeks:  Heavy menstrual bleeding appears to occur more commonly with Xarelto® than with warfarin [ref 1] and may be also more common with Xarelto® than with Eliquis® [ref 2].

  • Contraceptive Use While on Anticoagulants is Safe

    Stephan Moll, MD writes… Interesting and clinically relevant publication this week [ref 1].  It is well known that estrogens and certain progestin preparations increase the risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE).  A woman on an anticoagulant may have heavy menstrual bleeds and hormonal therapy – such as estrogen-progestin contraceptives – may be considered to decrease the bleeding.…

  • Bleeding on Antithrombotics: Reversal Protocol 2016

    Stephan Moll, MD writes…  Our medical center (University of North Carolina Hospitals,  Chapel Hill)  has put together a comprehensive “Emergent Anticoagulation Reversal Guideline” for our local use, updated since its last edition in 2014 with information about Pradaxa® reversal (with Praxbind®).  It is  a practical, clinical how-to document (2016 PDF here ). Colleagues and hospitals are welcome to take the…