[Direct oral thrombin inhibitor, "dabigatran"].

Dabigatran is an oral, direct, and competitive inhibitor of thrombin, which is administered to patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation for prevention of stroke at a dose of 110 mg twice daily or 150 mg twice daily. Anticoagulation by dabigatran is "hybrid anticoagulation", consisting of action of both dabigatran and physiological coagulation inhibitors because warfarin inhibits production of protein C and protein S but dabigatran does not. Management of dabigatran is easier than that of warfarin because food restriction is unnecessary, drug interaction is small, and absorption time is short and serum concentration corresponds to the anticoagulatory effect in dabigatran treatment. The RE-LY trial confirmed effectiveness and safety of both doses of dabigatran for prevention of stroke and both doses of dabigatran had much lower risks of intracranial bleeding compared with warfarin. Compliance to guidance of dabigatran treatment is essential for avoidance of severe hemorrhagic complications.