Argatroban

Argatroban is an anticoagulant that is a small molecule direct thrombin inhibitor. In 2000, argatroban was licensed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for prophylaxis or treatment of thrombosis in patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. In 2002, it was approved for use during percutaneous coronary interventions in patients who have or at risk for developing HIT.

Argatroban is given intravenously. Argatroban is metabolized in the liver and has a half life of about 50 minutes. It is monitored by PTT. Because of its hepatic metabolism, it may be used in patients with renal dysfunction. (This is in contrast to lepirudin, a direct thrombin inhibitor that is primarily renally cleared).

It is manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline.

Reference

 * Di Nisio M, Middeldorp S, Buller HR. Direct thrombin inhibitors. N Engl J Med 2005;353:1028-40. PMID 16148288.