Oral Xa inhibitors.

Several new oral drugs that selectively and directly inhibit factor Xa seem promising alternatives to existing antithrombotic drugs. These drugs have a convenient route of administration, can be given in fixed doses, and do not require coagulation monitoring. Favorable results of clinical trials support their potential to change current practice. Translation into daily clinical practice may take some time; clinical studies over the next months and years will reveal the impact of rivaroxaban and other compounds in development. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the more advanced oral, direct factor Xa inhibitors and to briefly describe the results of the completed studies.