DOAC
Medical abbreviation · Drug Class
| Stands for | Direct oral anticoagulant |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
DOAC stands for Direct oral anticoagulant, a drug class abbreviation.
Anticoagulants taken by mouth that directly block a single clotting factor: apixaban, rivaroxaban and edoxaban inhibit factor Xa, and dabigatran inhibits thrombin. They prevent stroke in atrial fibrillation and treat and prevent venous blood clots.
Example: AF, CHA2DS2-VASc 4: start DOAC (apixaban 5 mg BID).
Usage notes
DOACs need no routine INR monitoring and have fewer food and drug interactions than warfarin, but they are not used with mechanical heart valves after the RE-ALIGN trial showed harm with dabigatran. Specific reversal agents include idarucizumab for dabigatran (2015) and andexanet alfa for factor Xa inhibitors (2018). The International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis recommended "DOAC" as the preferred term in 2015.
Related abbreviations
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This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.