Identifying Oral Anticoagulants

Anticoagulants are medications that prevent blood clot formation. They can be administered through different routes, primarily orally (by mouth) or parenterally (injection or infusion).

Analyzing Anticoagulant Options

The question asks to identify which of the listed drugs is an oral anticoagulant. Let's examine each option:

• Dabigatran: This medication is a direct thrombin inhibitor and is taken orally. It is prescribed to prevent stroke and systemic embolism in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation and to treat deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE).
• Heparin: This is a widely used anticoagulant, but it is administered parenterally, typically via subcutaneous injection or intravenous infusion. It is not taken orally.
• Fondaparinux: This is a synthetic indirect factor Xa inhibitor. It is administered via subcutaneous injection and is therefore a parenteral anticoagulant.
• Bivalirudin: This is another direct thrombin inhibitor, structurally related to hirudin. It is administered intravenously and used primarily during percutaneous coronary interventions. It is a parenteral anticoagulant.

Conclusion on Oral Anticoagulant

Based on the routes of administration:

• Dabigatran is administered orally.
• Heparin, Fondaparinux, and Bivalirudin are administered parenterally (injection or infusion).

Therefore, Dabigatran is the correct answer as it is the only oral anticoagulant among the choices.