Dabigatran for VTE treatment
If using dabigatran to treat VTE, give a parenteral anticoagulant for 5 days (see Parenteral anticoagulants for VTE treatment for dosages), then stop the parenteral anticoagulant and start dabigatran1. Give the first dose of dabigatran when the next scheduled dose of the parenteral anticoagulant would have been due, or up to 2 hours before this.
Dabigatran does not require routine anticoagulation monitoring; however, using the correct dose is vital because underdosing may not provide adequate anticoagulation.
To treat VTE (starting after 5 days of parenteral anticoagulant therapy), use:
dabigatran2 dabigatran dabigatran dabigatran
younger than 75 years and CrCl more than 50 mL/min: 150 mg orally, twice daily
younger than 75 years and CrCl 30 to 50 mL/min, or increased risk of major bleeding: 110 mg orally, twice daily
75 years or older and CrCl more than 30 mL/min: 110 mg orally, twice daily.
Do not use dabigatran if CrCl is less than 30 mL/min.
For duration of therapy, see Duration of anticoagulant therapy for VTE.
For further information, including management of bleeding, see dabigatran. If using a DOAC in a patient with obesity, see also Direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs) for VTE prophylaxis and treatment in patients with obesity.