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

  • Fascinating New “Anticoagulant”: It Protects from VTE, but Does Not Increase Bleeding

    Stephan Moll, MD writes (on Dec 8th, 2014)… A publication this week in the New England Journal of Medicine reports on an investigational drug that protects patients from VTE without increasing the risk of bleeding [reference below]. Too good to be true? Possibly, but may be not. Additional studies will have to tell.

  • Antidotes for the New Oral Anticoagulants: Update

    Stephan Moll, MD writes (on Nov 7th, 2014)… A N Engl J Med publication this week [ref 1] reports on a new reversal agent (PER977 = Aripazine = ciraparantag) that may be effective against a number of different new oral anticoagulants.

  • Xarelto Dosing in Obese Patients

    Stephan Moll, MD writes…  Is there a dose change or limitation for the use of Xarelto® (rivaroxaban) in very obese or underweight patients?

  • Aspirin Decreases Recurrent DVT and PE

    Stephan Moll, MD writes… Aspirin is beneficial in preventing recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients who have had a previous episode of unprovoked VTE and who have been treated with anticoagulant therapy, a publication in the journal Circulation re-confirms this week: Aspirin reduces the risk of recurrent VTE by more than a third without significantly increasing the risk…

  • Apixaban (Eliquis) FDA-Approval for DVT and PE Treatment

    Stephan Moll, MD writes…  Apixaban (Eliquis®) was approved by the FDA this week (Aug 21, 2014) for the treatment of DVT and PE.  The approval covers (a) acute DVT/PE management and (b) prevention of recurrent DVT/PE.

  • Pradaxa (Dabigatran) FDA-Approved for DVT and PE

    Stephan Moll, MD writes…  Today the FDA approved Pradaxa (dabigatran) for the treatment of venous thromboembolism, based on the phase 3 RECOVER and RECOVER II trials.  The dose is 150 mg twice daily for patients with a GFR > 30 ml/min.  Due to the design of the RECOVER and RECOVER II trials, the drug is approved…

  • Pregnancy, Breastfeeding – Safety of Various Anticoagulants

    Stephan Moll, MD writes… LMWH (low molecular weight heparin) is the preferred anticoagulant in the pregnant patient. LMWH and warfarin are safe in the woman who is beast-feeding. Rivaroxaban (Xarelto), dabigatran (Pradaxa) and apixaban (Eliquis) should not be used during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. A detailed summary about the safety of the various anticoagulants during pregnancy…

  • FDA to Review Eliquis (Apixaban) for DVT and PE Treatment

    Stephan Moll, MD writes… On Dec 19th the FDA accepted the application by Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) and Pfizer for review of Eliquis (apixaban) for the treatment of DVT and PE. The press release of BMS is here.  The goal date for a decision by the FDA is August 25, 2014.