Oral anticoagulants
Warfarin has a half-life of 40 hours and an onset of action of between two and five days. It is metabolised in the liver and metabolites are excreted in the urine. Currently, warfarin remains the first line anticoagulant treatment for patients with ischaemic stroke and AF.
Apixaban, edoxaban, rivaroxaban and dabigatran prevent thrombus (blood clot) formation. The half-life of this drug group ranges between seven and 14 hours and the range of onset of action is between one and four hours. DOACs are metabolised in the liver to form active metabolites and these are excreted by the kidneys.