Factor Xa inhibitors

SummaryOral factor Xa (FXa) inhibitors are a promising alternative to current anticoagulants. This paper reviews the latest developments of oral direct FXa inhibitors and focuses on those which have been approved for the prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE) after total hip or knee replacement or are in advanced development and have passed phase II (proof of principle) testing.The most advanced drugs are apixaban, betrixaban, edoxaban, eribaxaban, rivaroxaban, LY517717, TAK-442, and YM150. Rivaroxaban (Xarelto→) is the first direct FXa inhibitor which has recently been approved for the prevention of VTE in…