Anticoagulants Other Than Warfarin for Atrial Fibrillation
How It Works
Anticoagulants prevent blood clots and keep blood clots from getting bigger. They are also called blood thinners.
Dabigatran keeps Reference thrombin Opens New Window from making a blood clot. Thrombin is a substance (enzyme) in the bloodstream that is needed for blood to clot.
Rivaroxaban blocks a blood clotting factor (Factor Xa) from working. Clotting factors are substances that make blood clot.
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: May 14, 2012 |
| Medical Review: | Reference Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Reference E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine |
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