'Argatroban' is an
anticoagulant that is a small molecule
direct thrombin inhibitor. In 2000, argatroban was licensed by the
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for prophylaxis or treatment of
thrombosis in patients with
heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. In 2002, it was approved for use during
percutaneous coronary interventions in patients who have or at risk for developing HIT.
Argatroban is given intravenously. Argatroban is metabolized in the
liver and has a half life of about 50 minutes. It is monitored by PTT. Because of its hepatic metabolism, it may be used in patients with renal dysfunction. (This is in contrast to
lepirudin, a direct thrombin inhibitor that is primarily renally cleared).
It is manufactured by
GlaxoSmithKline.
Reference
★ Di Nisio M, Middeldorp S, Buller HR. Direct thrombin inhibitors. ''
N Engl J Med'' 2005;353:1028-40. PMID 16148288.
External links
★
GlaxoSmithKline's website on argatroban