desirudin (Iprivask)

Indications

• prophylaxis for deep vein thrombosis with elective hip replacement

Dosage

• 15 mg SC every 12 hours

Injection: lyophilized powder 15 mg

Pharmacokinetics

• metabolized & eliminated by the kidney
• 40-50% excreted unchanged
• 1/2life ~ 2 hours Elimination Mean terminal elimination t is approximately 2 h.

Adverse effects

• black box warning

• drug adverse effects of antithrombotic agent(s)

Laboratory

• aPTT is a measure of the anticoagulant activity of desirudin

Mechanism of action

• thrombin inhibitor

More general terms

• thrombin inhibitor