Noac Guidelines

NOAC GUIDELINES
NON-VITAMIN K ANTAGONIST
ORAL ANTICOAGULANT
UPDATED JULY 2017

The CEC acknowledges the NSW Health Directors of Clinical Governance who commissioned this guideline and
the efforts of the members of the Anticoagulant Medicines Working Party who contributed to its development.
Clinical Excellence Commission, 2017, Non-vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulant (NOAC) Guidelines are
available at: http://www.cec.health.nsw.gov.au/
© Clinical Excellence Commission 2017
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National Library of Australia Cataloguing-in-Publication entry

Title: Non-vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulant (NOAC) Guidelines, Updated July 2017
SHPN: (CEC) 170449
ISBN: 978-1-76000-703-4
Suggested citation
Clinical Excellence Commission, 2017, Non-vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulant (NOAC) Guidelines,
Updated July 2017
Sydney: Clinical Excellence Commission
Clinical Excellence Commission

Board Chair: Associate Professor Brian McCaughan, AM
Chief Executive: Ms. Carrie Marr
Any enquiries about or comments on this publication should be directed to:

Locked Bag 8
Haymarket NSW 1240
Phone: (02) 9269 5500
Email: cec-medicationsafety@health.nsw.gov.au
Non-Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants (NOAC) Guidelines | Page 2

Clinical Excellence Commission Updated July 2017
CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION ..............................................................................................................................5
2. NOAC INDICATIONS AND CONTRAINDICATIONS .......................................................................6

2.1 Registered indications and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme listings of NOACs .........................7
2.2 Contraindications to NOAC therapy ...............................................................................................8
3. COMMENCING TREATMENT .........................................................................................................9

3.1 Drug interactions ...........................................................................................................................11
3.2 NOAC dosing.................................................................................................................................13
3.3 NOAC administration.....................................................................................................................19
3.4 Management of a missed dose.....................................................................................................19
4. PATIENT FOLLOW-UP AND MONITORING..................................................................................21

4.1 Ongoing renal function monitoring ...............................................................................................21
5 TRANSITIONING BETWEEN ANTICOAGULANTS .......................................................................22

5.1 Transitioning from anticoagulant therapy to a NOAC ..................................................................22
5.2 Transitioning from a NOAC to IV UFH or LMWH ..........................................................................23
5.3 Transitioning from NOAC to warfarin ............................................................................................28
6. PERIOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT AND OTHER CONSIDERATIONS ..........................................29

6.1 Epidural, and spinal anaesthesia and lumbar puncture...............................................................32
6.2. Acute coronary syndrome and stroke admissions .......................................................................33
7. MANAGING BLEEDING.................................................................................................................34
7.1 Reversal agents .............................................................................................................................35
7.2 Pro-haemostatic agents ................................................................................................................36
7.3 Use of dialysis in life-threatening bleeding for patients treated with dabigatran .........................36
7.4 Blood management guidelines .....................................................................................................36
8. INFORMATION AND EDUCATION FOR PATIENTS, FAMILIES AND CARERS ...........................37
REFERENCES / BIBLIOGRAPHY..............................................................................................................38
APPENDIX .................................................................................................................................................39
1. Abbreviations used ........................................................................................................................39
BOXES
1: Risk factors for stroke and systemic embolism in patients with AF ...............................................6
2: Contraindications to NOAC therapy ...............................................................................................8

TABLES
1: Registered indications and PBS listings of NOACs ........................................................................7
2: Considerations prior to commencing dabigatran (Pradaxa®) ........................................................9
3: Considerations prior to commencing apixaban (Eliquis®) ...........................................................10
4: Considerations prior to commencing rivaroxaban (Xarelto®) ......................................................10
5: Dabigatran (Pradaxa®) drug interactions ......................................................................................11
6: Apixaban (Eliquis®) and rivaroxaban (Xarelto®) drug interactions ...............................................12
7: Dabigatran, apixaban and rivaroxaban antithrombotic interactions ...........................................12
8: Dabigatran (Pradaxa®) dosing for stroke prevention in non-valvular AF .....................................13
9: Dabigatran (Pradaxa®) dosing for prevention of VTE in patients undergoing THR or TKR.........14
10: Dabigatran (Pradaxa®) dosing for treatment of VTE and prevention of recurrent VTE ...............14
11: Apixaban (Eliquis®) dosing for stroke prevention in non-valvular AF ..........................................15
12: Apixaban (Eliquis®) dosing for prevention of VTE in patients undergoing THR or TKR ..............15
13: Apixaban (Eliquis®) dosing for treatment of VTE and prevention of recurrent VTE .....................16
14: Rivaroxaban (Xarelto®) dosing for stroke prevention in non-valvular AF .....................................17
15: Rivaroxaban (Xarelto®) dosing for prevention of VTE in patients undergoing THR or TKR ........17
16: Rivaroxaban (Xarelto®) dosing for treatment of VTE and prevention of recurrent VTE ...............18
17: NOAC administration.....................................................................................................................19
18: Management of a missed dose of dabigatran (Pradaxa®) ...........................................................19
19: Management of a missed dose of apixaban (Eliquis®) ................................................................20
20: Management of a missed dose of rivaroxaban (Xarelto®) ............................................................20
21: Effect of NOAC on routinely performed coagulation assays........................................................21
22: Transitioning from an anticoagulant (IV UFH, LMWH or warfarin) to a NOAC ............................22
23: Risk of procedural bleeding (2-Day risk of major bleeding).........................................................30
24: Timing for ceasing dabigatran (Pradaxa®) prior to surgery .........................................................31
25: Timing for ceasing apixaban (Eliquis®) prior to surgery ...............................................................31
26: Timing for ceasing rivaroxaban (Xarelto®) prior to surgery ..........................................................31
27: Recommencing NOAC post-operatively .......................................................................................32
28: Timing of VTE prophylactic dose in relation to epidural or spinal anaesthesia in patients without
reduced renal function ..............................................................................................................................33
FIGURES
1: Transitioning from dabigatran (Pradaxa®) to IV UFH ...................................................................23
2: Transitioning from dabigatran (Pradaxa®) to LMWH ....................................................................24
3: Transitioning from apixaban (Eliquis®) or rivaroxaban (Xarelto®) to IV UFH................................25
4: Transitioning from apixaban (Eliquis®) to LMWH .........................................................................26
5: Transitioning from rivaroxaban (Xarelto®) to LMWH.....................................................................27
6: Management of NOAC associated bleeding ................................................................................34

1. INTRODUCTION
Non-Vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOAC) are now widely used in patients with non-valvular atrial
fibrillation (AF) and for the treatment and prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in NSW Health facilities.
NOACs include dabigatran, (direct thrombin inhibitor), apixaban and rivaroxaban (Factor Xa inhibitors). The term
‘DOAC’, (Direct Oral Anticoagulant) is also used to describe these medicines.
This clinical guideline is intended to assist clinicians with the inpatient and discharge management of patients
receiving a NOAC. It addresses NOAC use in adult patients only.
This NOAC guideline does not address anticoagulation in:

 Pregnant or breastfeeding females. All NOACs are contraindicated in pregnancy and breastfeeding(1-3)
 Paediatric patients less than 18 years of age. NOACs have not been tested in this population (1-3).
Information in this guideline should be used in conjunction with Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
approved Product Information, local protocols and specialist advice.
This clinical guideline was developed in conjunction with a multi-disciplinary Anticoagulant Medicines Working
Party†. Consensus recommendations where indicated in the guideline are based on expert opinion from within
the Working Party.
†The Anticoagulant Medicines Working Party members included; a consumer, a Director of Clinical Governance, nurses, pharmacists, medical specialists (a
cardiologist, anaesthestist, surgeon, general practitioner and hematologists), and representatives from the NSW Therapeutic Advisory Group and the National
Prescribing Service.

2. NOAC INDICATIONS AND CONTRAINDICATIONS
NOACs have been registered by the TGA for use in specific conditions including: the prevention of stroke and
systemic embolism in patients with AF with one or more risk factors (see Box 1 for PBS Authority listed risk
factors), in the prevention of VTE following hip and knee replacement and the treatment of new and secondary
prevention of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE).
There are conditions in which NOAC treatment is contraindicated, notably, in patients with a mechanical heart
valve(1, 2). NOAC use has not been studied in the following conditions: cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, portal
and splenic vein thrombosis and non-lower limb DVT. NOACs are not suitable for use in patients with
hemodynamically significant valvular heart disease.
Table 1 outlines registered TGA indications and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) listings of NOACs as of
July 2017. NOAC availability may vary between facilities. Contact the Pharmacy Department at your facility for
further information.
Prophylaxis dose in this document refers to the dose used for prevention of VTE following elective total hip
replacement (THR) or total knee replacement (TKR).
Therapeutic dose in this document refers to the dose used for stroke prevention in non-valvular AF, or treatment
of new and secondary prevention of DVT and PE.
Box 1: PBS Authority listed risk factors(4)
 Prior stroke (ischaemic or unknown type)

 Transient ischaemic attack (TIA) or non-central nervous system (CNS) systemic embolism
 Age 75 years or older
 Hypertension
 Diabetes mellitus
 Heart failure and/ or left ventricular ejection fraction 35% or less.

2.1 Registered indications and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme listings of
NOACs
Registered indications and PBS listings of NOACs are listed in Table 1. This table was accurate at the time of
publication; prescribers should refer to the TGA and PBS websites for updates. For patients requiring a PBS
prescription, the prescriber should check the PBS website as a PBS Authority prescription may be required.
Table 1: Registered indications and PBS listings of NOACs
Indication Dabigatran Apixaban Rivaroxaban

Stroke prevention in non-valvular
Authority PBS Authority PBS Authority PBS
AF with at least one stroke risk
prescription required prescription required prescription required
factor*
Prevention of VTE after elective Authority PBS Authority PBS Authority PBS
THR or TKR prescription required prescription required prescription required
TGA Registered,
Authority PBS Authority PBS
Treatment of VTE but not PBS listed for
prescription required prescription required
this indication
TGA Registered,
Authority PBS Authority PBS
Prevention of recurrent VTE but not PBS listed for
prescription required prescription required
this indication
*see Box 1 for PBS Authority listed risk factors

2.2 Contraindications to NOAC therapy
NOAC use is contraindicated in certain clinical conditions including moderate to severe renal failure or significant
hepatic failure(5). Estimated creatinine clearance (CrCl) should be calculated using the using the Cockcroft-Gault
equation (do not use the eGFR reported in pathology results).
In the case of a patient with renal impairment, treatment with warfarin may be more appropriate(5). Box 2 and
Tables 2, 3 and 4 provide general and specific contraindications for NOAC treatment.
Whilst NOACs are NOT ABSOLUTELY contraindicated in patients with a history of gastrointestinal bleeding,
prescribers should use caution and seek advice when prescribing to these patients.
Box 2: Contraindications to NOAC therapy(1-3)
Dabigatran (Pradaxa®), Apixaban (Eliquis®) & Rivaroxaban (Xarelto®)

Known hypersensitivity
Renal impairment:
 Dabigatran (Pradaxa®): CrCl <30mL/min
 Apixaban (Eliquis®): CrCl <25mL/min
 Rivaroxaban (Xarelto ): CrCl <30mL/min (Rivaroxaban may be used in patients with CrCl 15-30mL in
®
prevention of VTE after elective THR or TKR see Table 15)

Clinically significant active bleeding
Significant inherited or acquired bleeding disorder
Hepatic disease with coagulopathy
Organ lesions at risk of bleeding including intracranial haemorrhage in previous 6 months
Indwelling spinal or epidural catheter and during the first 6 hours after removal
Mechanical heart valve
Pregnancy or breastfeeding mother

3. COMMENCING TREATMENT
The decision to commence NOAC therapy should be made by a Senior Medical Officer in conjunction with the
patient and/ or carer. In addition, contraindications, drug interactions and other patient factors (such as
persistent hypertension, falls risk, anaemia and patient compliance), need to be taken into account prior to
commencing a patient on a NOAC. NOACs are contraindicated in pregnancy and breastfeeding. In female
patients of child bearing age, pregnancy or breastfeeding is to be excluded prior to commencing NOAC therapy.
The following baseline laboratory tests should be performed prior to commencing treatment. The patient should
be further investigated if results are found to be abnormal.
 Full blood count (FBC)
 Prothrombin time (PT)
 Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT)
 Liver Function Test (LFT)
 Renal function:
o Estimated creatinine clearance (CrCl) should be calculated using the Cockcroft-Gault equation
(do not use the eGFR reported in pathology results) (see Box 2 for contraindications to a NOAC,
based on creatinine clearance)
o A calculator, such as the AMH Ideal body weight calculator should be used for calculating
estimated creatinine clearance in patients who are overweight or obese. For all other patients
use actual body weight.
Table 2 (dabigatran), Table 3 (apixaban) and Table 4 (rivaroxaban) list other factors to be taken into
consideration prior to commencing a patient on a NOAC.
Table 2: Considerations prior to commencing dabigatran (Pradaxa®)(1, 6)
Dabigatran (Pradaxa®)
Capsules must not be opened, thus unsuitable for patients unable to swallow a capsule
whole
General
Capsules must not be removed from packaging until the time of administration, thus
unsuitable for patients who are reliant on dose administration aids
Contraindicated - CrCl <30 mL/min
Renal impairment
Use with caution - CrCl 30 – 50 mL/min
Contraindicated - Child-Pugh* C
Hepatic impairment
Use with caution - Child-Pugh A or B
Gastrointestinal
Use with caution and seek advice in patients with any history of gastrointestinal bleeding
bleeding
Weight** No dose adjustment required for extremes of body weight
*Child-Pugh estimates cirrhosis severity, **No published data for extremes of body weight

Table 3: Considerations prior to commencing apixaban (Eliquis®)(3)
Apixaban (Eliquis®)
Renal impairment
Contraindicated - CrCl <25 mL/min
Contraindicated in hepatic disease associated with coagulopathy and clinically

Hepatic impairment relevant bleeding risk, including severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh C)
May be used with caution in patients with mild or moderate hepatic impairment
(Child-Pugh A or B)
Use with caution and seek advice in patients with any history of gastrointestinal
Gastrointestinal bleeding
bleeding
Dose adjustment may be required for patients weighing less than 60kg for stroke
Weight
prevention in patients with non-valvular AF (see Table 11)
Table 4: Considerations prior to commencing rivaroxaban (Xarelto®)(2)
Rivaroxaban (Xarelto®)
Contraindicated –
 CrCl <30 mL/min for therapeutic dose,
Renal impairment  CrCl <15 mL/min for prophylactic dose (prevention of VTE after elective
THR or TKR)
Use with caution - CrCl 30 – 50mL/min
Contraindicated - Child-Pugh B or C
Hepatic impairment
Use with caution - Child-Pugh A
Use with caution and seek advice in patients with any history of gastrointestinal
Gastrointestinal bleeding
bleeding
Weight* No dose adjustment required for extremes of body weight
*No published data for extremes of body weight

3.1 Drug interactions
There are clinically significant interactions that need to be taken into consideration when prescribing these
NOACs(5). Drugs that interfere with CYP3A4 and P-glycoprotein (P-gp) inhibitors can have significant interaction
with NOACs. For considerations with antiplatelet agents and other anticoagulants see Table 7. For other NOAC
drug interactions see Tables 5 and 6.
Table 5: Dabigatran (Pradaxa®) drug interactions(1, 7, 8)
Effect on
Class or medicine
Advice dabigatran Comment
(Not an exhaustive list)
activity
Increased
Amiodarone Caution
activity
Anticonvulsants: phenytoin, Reduced
Caution
carbamazepine activity
Azole antifungals e.g.
itraconazole voriconazole, Increased
Contraindicated Potent CYP3A4 and P-gp inhibitors
posaconazole (separate advice activity
for fluconazole below)
Increased
Dronedarone Contraindicated
activity
Increased
Fluconazole Caution Less potent inhibitor than other azoles
activity
Immunosuppressants
Increased
(Calcineurin inhibitors) e.g. Contraindicated
activity
cyclosporin, tacrolimus
Macrolides e.g. clarithromycin, Increased
Caution Not likely to be significant
erythromycin activity
SSRI/ SNRI* e.g. escitalopram
Increased Increased bleeding rates have been
sertraline Caution
activity noted.
venlafaxine
Reduced
Rifampicin Caution
activity
For AF, acute VTE and prevention of
subsequent VTE: if adding verapamil to
dabigatran or starting both drugs on the
Relative Increased same day, the dabigatran should be
Verapamil(1)
contraindication activity given at least 2 hours before verapamil
for the first 3 days.
For VTE prophylaxis: refer to PI or
AMH**
*SSRI - Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor; SNRI - Serotonin noradrenaline re-uptake inhibitors
**AMH – Australian Medicines Handbook

Table 6: Apixaban (Eliquis®) and rivaroxaban (Xarelto®) drug interactions(2, 3, 7, 8)
Class or medicine Effect on rivaroxaban or

Advice Comment
(Not an exhaustive list*) apixaban activity
Anticonvulsants: phenytoin
Caution Reduced activity
carbamazepine, phenobarbitone
Azole antifungals e.g. itraconazole Potent CYP3A4 and P-
Contraindicated Increased activity
voriconazole, posaconazole gp inhibitors
Potent CYP3A4 and P-
HIV protease inhibitors e.g. ritonavir Contraindicated Increased activity
gp inhibitors
Macrolides e.g. clarithromycin,
Caution Increased activity
azithromycin
Rifampicin Caution Reduced activity
St John’s Wort Caution Reduced activity

Clinical significance
Verapamil Uncertain Increase in activity
uncertain
* SSRI and SNRI are not listed in the Product Information; however concurrent use may theoretically increase risk of bleeding
(Recommendation based on expert opinion of the Anticoagulant Medicines Working Party)
Table 7: Dabigatran (Pradaxa®), apixaban (Eliquis®) and rivaroxaban (Xarelto®)

antithrombotic interactions (2, 3, 7)
Example Effect on bleeding

Action Advice Comment
(Not an exhaustive list) rates
NSAIDS
Aspirin Increased bleeding
Similar to antiplatelets/
Clopidogrel Caution rates seen in
warfarin combinations
Prasugrel studies
Dipyridamole
Antiplatelet Apixaban: Caution
Rivaroxaban: Caution Increased risk of
Ticagrelor
Dabigatran: bleeding
Relative contraindication
Increased risk of
Dual-antiplatelets Relative contraindication Seek specialist advice
bleeding
Warfarin, heparin,
Contraindicated (unless
Low Molecular
Anticoagulant transitioning between Increased
Weight Heparin
anticoagulants)
(LMWH)

3.2 NOAC dosing
NOAC dosing is fixed according to indication and specific patient risk factors. Routine laboratory test monitoring
of drug levels or anticoagulant effect is not required. Tables 8 – 16 provide information on dosing for each PBS
listed NOAC according to indication and risk factors. These tables were accurate at the time of publication;
however prescribers should refer to the TGA and PBS websites for updates.
Table 8: Dabigatran (Pradaxa®) dosing for stroke prevention in non-valvular AF(1)
Indication Risk factors Dose Duration

Prevention of stroke and Patient with:
Contraindicated Contraindicated
systemic embolism in CrCl <30 mL/min
non-valvular AF in Patient with at least one
patients with at least one of the following risk
of the following risk factors:
factors: Age ≥75 years;
Dabigatran 110 mg twice
 prior stroke, TIA or or Indefinite duration
daily
non-CNS systemic CrCl 30 - 50 mL/min;
embolism or
 age ≥75 years high bleeding risk (consider
 hypertension HAS-BLED* score)
 diabetes mellitus Patient with:

 heart failure and/ or Age <75 years;
and Dabigatran 150 mg twice
left ventricular Indefinite duration
CrCl >50 mL/min; and daily
ejection fraction ≤
35%. no bleeding risk
(consider HAS-BLED* score)
*‘HAS-BLED’ estimates risk of major bleeding for patients on anticoagulation for atrial fibrillation

Table 9: Dabigatran (Pradaxa®) dosing for prevention of VTE in patients undergoing THR
or TKR(1)

Patient with:
contraindicated contraindicated
CrCl <30 mL/min
Prevention of VTE after Patient with: THR = 28 – 35 days
Dabigatran 150 mg once daily
elective THR or TKR* CrCl 30 – 50 mL/min TKR = 10 days
Patient with: THR = 28 – 35 days
Dabigatran 220 mg once daily
CrCl >50 mL/min TKR = 10 days
*Dabigatran should be initiated within 1-4 hours of completed surgery with a single capsule (110 mg). If haemostasis is not
secured, initiation of treatment should be delayed. If treatment is not started on the day of surgery then treatment should be
initiated as per above table(1). For patients who have had an epidural or spinal anaesthesia, see 6.1 Epidural, and spinal
anaesthesia and lumbar puncture.
Table10: Dabigatran (Pradaxa®) dosing for treatment of VTE and prevention of recurrent
VTE(1)

Patient with:
CrCl <30 mL/min
Patient with at least
one of the following Parenteral Should be individualised after careful
risk factors: anticoagulant for at assessment of the treatment benefit
Age ≥75 years; least 5 days, against the risk for bleeding.
or then
Treatment of, and  Short duration of therapy (at least 3
CrCl 30 - 50 mL/min; Dabigatran 110 mg
prevention of
or months) should be based on
recurrent, DVT and/ twice daily
or PE* high bleeding risk transient risk factors (e.g. recent
(consider HAS-BLED score) surgery, trauma, immobilisation)
Patient with: Parenteral
Age <75 years; anticoagulant for at  Longer durations (> 3 months)
and least 5 days, should be based on permanent risk
CrCl >50 mL/min; then factors or idiopathic DVT or PE.
and Dabigatran 150 mg
no bleeding risk. twice daily
*At the time of publication dabigatran was not listed with the PBS for this indication. Check the PBS website for updates.

Table 11: Apixaban (Eliquis®) dosing for stroke prevention in non-valvular AF(3)
Indication Risk factor Dose Duration

Prevention of stroke and
Patient with:
systemic embolism in non- Contraindicated Contraindicated
CrCl <25 mL/min
valvular AF in patients with at
least one of the following risk Patient with:
factors: CrCl ≥25 mL/min and at
 prior stroke, TIA or non- least two of the
CNS systemic embolism following risk factors: Apixaban 2.5 mg twice
Indefinite duration
 age ≥75 years  Age ≥80 years daily
 hypertension  Weight ≤60 kg
 diabetes mellitus  Creatinine ≥133
 heart failure and/ or left micromol/L
ventricular ejection fraction All other patients with: Apixaban 5 mg twice
Indefinite duration
≤ 35%. CrCl ≥25 mL/min daily
Table 12: Apixaban (Eliquis®) dosing for prevention of VTE in patients undergoing THR or
TKR(3)

Patient with:
Prevention of VTE for patients CrCl <25 mL/min
following THR or TKR Patient with: Apixaban 2.5 mg THR = 32 – 38 days
CrCl ≥25 mL/min twice daily TKR = 10 – 14 days

Table 13: Apixaban (Eliquis®) dosing for treatment of VTE and prevention of recurrent
VTE(3)

Patient with:
CrCl <25 mL/min
Apixaban 10 mg 7 days
Treatment of VTE twice daily
Patient with:
then
CrCl ≥25 mL/min
Apixaban 5 mg According to patient
twice daily requirement
Patient with:
CrCl <25 mL/min
Patient dependent
Prevention of recurrent VTE
Patient with: Apixaban 2.5 mg (Following at least 6
CrCl ≥25 mL/min twice daily months of a therapeutic
dose anticoagulant)

Table 14: Rivaroxaban (Xarelto®) dosing for stroke prevention in non-valvular AF(2)
Prevention of stroke and

systemic embolism in non- Patient with:
valvular AF in patients with CrCl <30 mL/min
at least one of the
following risk factors:
 prior stroke, TIA or
non-CNS systemic Patient with: Rivaroxaban 15 mg
Indefinite duration
embolism CrCl 30–49 mL/min once daily
 age ≥75 years
 hypertension
 diabetes mellitus
 heart failure and / or Patient with: Rivaroxaban 20 mg
left ventricular ejection Indefinite duration
CrCl ≥50 mL once daily
fraction ≤ 35%.
Table 15: Rivaroxaban (Xarelto®) dosing for prevention of VTE in patients undergoing THR
or TKR(2)
Patient with:
CrCl <15 mL/min
Rivaroxaban 10 mg
Prevention of VTE after Patient with: THR = 35 days
once daily
elective THR or TKR* CrCl 15 – 29 mL/min TKR = 14 days
(use with caution)
Patient with: Rivaroxaban 10 mg THR = 35 days

CrCl ≥30 mL/min once daily TKR = 14 days
*Initial dose should be taken 6-10 hours after surgery provided that haemostasis has been established(2)

Table 16: Rivaroxaban (Xarelto®) dosing for treatment of VTE and prevention of recurrent
VTE(2)

Patient with:
CrCl <30 mL/min
Rivaroxaban15 mg 3 weeks
Treatment of VTE and prevention
twice daily
of recurrent VTE Patient with:
then
CrCl ≥30 mL/min
Rivaroxaban 20 mg once According to patient
daily requirement

3.3 NOAC administration
Table 17 provides guidance on administering NOACs. Information regarding administration of the relevant NOAC
should be provided to the patient and/ or their carer.
Table 17: NOAC administration(1-3, 6)
NOAC Administration instructions

Dabigatran (Pradaxa®)  Swallow whole with or without food
 Do not chew or open capsule
 Keep in original packaging
 Do not transfer capsule to a dose administration aid.
Apixaban (Eliquis®)  Swallow whole with or without food
 Can be used in dose administration aids
 Can be crushed (if required) and administered orally or via a
nasogastric tube (See Australian Don’t Rush to Crush Handbook(9)).
Rivaroxaban (Xarelto®)  10 mg tablet may be taken with or without food
 15 mg and 20 mg tablet should be taken with food
 Can be used in dose administration aids
 Can be crushed (if required) and administered orally or via a
nasogastric tube (See Australian Don’t Rush to Crush Handbook(9)).
3.4 Management of a missed dose
Tables 18, 19 and 20 provide guidance for managing missed NOAC doses for patients discharged on a NOAC.
This information may be adapted for inpatients depending on the clinical circumstances.
Table 18: Management of a missed dose of dabigatran (Pradaxa®)(1)
Instructions
 A missed dose may still be taken up to six hours prior to the next scheduled dose
 If within 6 hours of next due dose, omit the missed dose
 The dose should not be doubled to make up for a missed dose
 Continue with the remaining daily doses at the same time on the next day.

Table 19: Management of a missed dose of apixaban (Eliquis®)(3)
Instructions
 The missed dose should be taken as soon as possible on the same day
 The dose should not be doubled to make up for a missed dose
 Twice daily administration should resume.
Table 20: Management of a missed dose of rivaroxaban (Xarelto®)(2)
Dose Instructions
 The missed dose should be taken as soon as possible on the
same day
Rivaroxaban 10 mg, 15 mg, or  The dose should not be doubled to make up for a missed
20 mg tablets taken once a day dose
 The following day, the once daily dose administration should
resume.
 The missed dose should be taken immediately to ensure the
intake of 30 mg total dose per day. In this case two 15 mg
Rivaroxaban 15 mg tablets
tablets may be taken at once.
taken twice a day
 The following day the 15 mg twice daily dose administration
should resume.

4. PATIENT FOLLOW-UP AND MONITORING
There is variable and limited ability to monitor NOACs using laboratory testing in NSW Health facilities. Patients
commenced on a NOAC should have medical follow up during the first seven days to review clinical progress
and monitor for signs of bleeding.
In addition patients on:

 RIVAROXABAN FOR VTE TREATMENT should be followed up after THREE weeks for dose
modification(2)
 APIXABAN FOR VTE TREATMENT should be followed up after ONE week for dose modification(3).
4.1 Ongoing renal function monitoring

The patient’s renal function should be checked at least annually and whenever their clinical circumstances or
medications change to avoid inadvertent overdose. There may be a risk of bleeding if there is deterioration in
renal function(5). More frequent monitoring of renal function will be required in patients considered to have
impaired renal function.
Table 21 provides some advice on the effect of NOACs on anticoagulation tests. Routine monitoring of drug
levels or anticoagulant effect is not required. Local advice should be sought on availability of relevant
coagulation tests.
Table 21: Effect of NOAC on routinely performed coagulation assays(10)
Effect Dabigatran Rivaroxaban Apixaban

Normal PT* DOES
Significant
aPTT and thrombin NOT exclude presence
anticoagulant effect PT* normal
time (TT) normal of therapeutic
unlikely
apixaban
Anticoagulant effect TT prolonged PT* prolonged or
PT* prolonged
present aPTT prolonged normal
Specific assays to Dilute thrombin clotting Modified Anti Xa assay Modified Anti Xa assay
quantify drug presence time (Hemoclot assay) specific for rivaroxaban specific for apixaban
*PT sensitivity to NOACs will vary according to local laboratory reagents. In some laboratories, PT will be insensitive to NOACs.
Check with local laboratory.
Reproduced with permission from The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners from Brieger D, Curnow J.
Anticoagulation: A GP primer on the new oral anticoagulants. Aust Fam Physician 2014;43(5):254–59. Available at
www.racgp.org.au/afp/2014/may/anticoagulation

5 TRANSITIONING BETWEEN ANTICOAGULANTS
Transitioning between anticoagulants should be undertaken by a Senior Medical Officer or in consultation with a
specialist. It is currently recommended that patients who are stable on warfarin therapy continue on warfarin
therapy(5).
5.1 Transitioning from anticoagulant therapy to a NOAC

Before transitioning to a NOAC, the prescriber should check contraindications and other factors as outlined in
NOAC Indications and contraindications. When transitioning between a NOAC and warfarin laboratory
International Normalised Ratio (INR) testing should be used. Point-of-care INR testing is NOT suitable for patients
transitioning between a NOAC and warfarin.
Table 22 provides guidance on transitioning from low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), intravenous (IV)
unfractionated heparin (UFH) or warfarin to a NOAC. Caution should be used when transitioning patients with
renal impairment to LMWH(1-3, 5).
Table 22: Transitioning from an anticoagulant (IV UFH, LMWH or warfarin) to a NOAC (1-3, 5)
Anticoagulant Instructions
 Stop IV UFH
From IV UFH infusion to NOAC  Commence NOAC immediately (when aPTT in or below
therapeutic range)
 Stop LMWH
From LMWH to NOAC
 Commence NOAC when next dose of LMWH due
 Stop warfarin
 Measure INR daily
From warfarin to NOAC
 Wait until INR is less than 2.5
 Commence NOAC

5.2 Transitioning from a NOAC to IV UFH or LMWH
Figures 1 – 5 provide guidance on transitioning from a NOAC to IV UFH or LMWH. This guidance should be
used in conjunction with local IV UFH protocols and specialist advice.
Figure 1: Transitioning from dabigatran (Pradaxa®) to IV UFH(5)

Figure 2: Transitioning from dabigatran (Pradaxa®) to LMWH(5)

Figure 3: Transitioning from apixaban (Eliquis®) or rivaroxaban (Xarelto®) to IV UFH(5)

Figure 4: Transitioning from apixaban (Eliquis®) to LMWH(5)

Figure 5: Transitioning from rivaroxaban (Xarelto®) to LMWH(2, 5)

5.3 Transitioning from NOAC to warfarin
Transition from a NOAC to warfarin should be undertaken in consultation with specialist advice as transition
carries a risk of thrombosis and bleeding. Important points to consider in converting from a NOAC to warfarin are
the NOAC half-life which is affected by renal function, and the delay in onset of warfarin. A starting dose of
warfarin 5 mg or less is recommended(5).
When transitioning from a NOAC to warfarin it is necessary to take into account that INR results can be affected
by both the NOAC and warfarin(5). Upon commencing warfarin, the INR should be measured daily to identify high
levels thereby maintaining caution with ongoing warfarin dosing. Laboratory INR testing should be used. Point-
of-care INR testing is NOT suitable when transitioning between a NOAC and warfarin.
5.3.1 Patients with impaired renal function (estimated CrCl <50mL/min)

Specialist advice must be sought for patients with impaired renal function (< 50mL/min) as reduced clearance of
a NOAC may increase exposure and therefore may increase bleeding risk.
5.3.2 Patients with estimated CrCl ≥50mL/min

For patients with estimated CrCl ≥50mL/min, the NOAC should be ceased when the INR has been greater than
‘baseline’ INR plus 1.0 on two consecutive days∞. The baseline INR should be a ‘trough’ level, that is, the blood
sample is taken from the patient immediately prior to the next dose of the NOAC.
For example, if the patient’s baseline INR is 1.7, the NOAC should be ceased when INR has been greater than 2.7
(that is, 1.7 plus 1.0) on two consecutive days.
If the baseline INR is NOT elevated, then cease the NOAC when the INR has been greater than 2 for two days.
Ongoing warfarin dosing is according to the usual target range for the patient’s specific indication.
∞
Recommendation based on expert opinion of the Anticoagulant Medicines Working Party

6. PERIOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT AND OTHER
CONSIDERATIONS
The bleeding risk of surgery, timing of the last dose and half-life of the drug adjusted for renal function will
determine duration of treatment cessation before surgery (11). A recent CrCl result should be available. Table 23
lists the 2-day risk of major bleed for common procedures.
For urgent(5) or high bleeding risk elective surgery the following laboratory tests should be conducted∞.
For dabigatran:
 Estimated CrCl (calculated using the Cockcroft-Gault equation)
 FBC
 PT, aPTT, TT
 Consider drug level (where available)
For apixaban:
 FBC
 Consider drug level (where available)
For rivaroxaban:
 FBC
 PT
 Consider drug level (where available).
Refer to Table 21, Effect of NOAC on routinely performed coagulation assays.
∞Recommendation based on expert opinion of the Anticoagulant Medicines Working Party

Table 23: Risk of procedural bleeding (2-Day risk of major bleeding)(12)
Low bleeding risk procedures High bleeding risk procedures

Minimal bleeding risk procedures
(2-day risk of major bleed < 2%) (2-day risk of major bleed ≥ 2%)
 Minor dermatologic procedures  Arthroscopy  Major surgery with extensive
(excision of basal and tissue injury
squamous cell skin cancers,  Cutaneous/lymph node biopsies
actinic keratoses, and  Cancer surgery
 Shoulder/foot/hand surgery
premalignant or cancerous skin
 Major orthopaedic surgery
nevi)  Coronary angiography
 Reconstructive plastic surgery
 Cataract procedures  Gastrointestinal endoscopy +/-
biopsy  Urologic or gastrointestinal
 Minor dental procedures (dental
surgery
extractions, restorations,  Abdominal hysterectomy
prosthetics, endodontics), dental  Transurethral prostate resection,
cleanings, fillings  Laparoscopic cholecystectomy bladder resection, or tumor
ablation
 Pacemaker or cardioverter-  Abdominal hernia repair
defibrillator device implantation*  Nephrectomy, kidney biopsy
 Haemorrhoidal surgery
 Colonic polyp resection**
 Bronchoscopy +/- biopsy
 Bowel resection
 Epidural injections with INR <1.2
 Percutaneous endoscopic
gastrotomy placement,
endoscopic retrograde
cholangiopancreatography
 Surgery in highly vascular

organs (kidneys, liver, spleen)
 Cardiac, intracranial or spinal

surgery
 Any major operation (procedure

duration of > 45 min)
*Interruption of NOAC therapy is currently recommended(13, 14)

**The size of the polyp influences the risk of bleeding. It may be appropriate to categorise polyps less than 1 cm in size as low
bleeding risk(15)
Reproduced with minor adaptation with permission of International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis from Spyropoulos A
C, Al-Badri A, Sherwood M W, Douketis J D. Periprocedural management of patients receiving a vitamin K antagonist or a direct
oral anticoagulant requiring an elective procedure or surgery. J Haemost 2016; 14:875-85. Permission conveyed through
Copyright Clearance Center, Inc.

Withholding of NOACs for patients who are having minimal or selected low bleeding risk procedures (see
Table 23) may not be required. The treating surgeon should advise whether NOAC therapy needs to be withheld.
If the decision is made to withhold NOAC therapy, the NOAC should be withheld according to the guidelines
(see Tables 24 - 26). Bridging therapyβ is not required for patients receiving NOACs.
Table 24: Timing for ceasing dabigatran (Pradaxa®) prior to surgery(1, 11)
Dabigatran (Pradaxa®)
Low bleeding risk surgery High bleeding risk surgery
(110 or 150 mg twice a day)
Normal renal function Last dose 24 hours before Last dose 48 hours before
(CrCl ≥80 mL/min) surgery surgery
Mildly impaired renal function Last dose 24–48 hours before Last dose 48–72 hours before
(CrCl 50-80 mL/min) surgery surgery
Moderately impaired renal function Last dose 48 – 72 hours Last dose 96 hours (4 days)
(CrCl 30-49 mL/min) before surgery before surgery
Seek specialist advice. Dabigatran is contraindicated.
CrCl <30 mL/min
Stop at least 5 days before high-risk surgery
Table 25: Timing for ceasing apixaban (Eliquis®) prior to surgery(3)
Apixaban (Eliquis®)
(2.5 mg or 5 mg twice a day)
Normal/ mildly impaired renal
Last dose 24 hours before Last dose 48–72 hours before
function
surgery surgery
(CrCl >50 mL/min)
Moderately impaired renal function Last dose 48 hours before Last dose 72 hours before
CrCl <30 mL/min Seek specialist advice
Table 26: Timing for ceasing rivaroxaban (Xarelto®) prior to surgery(2)
Rivaroxaban (Xarelto®)
(15 mg or 20 mg once a day)
Normal/ mildly impaired renal
Last dose 24 hours before Last dose 48–72 hours before
function
surgery surgery
(CrCl >50 mL/min)
Moderately impaired renal function Last dose 48 hours before Last dose 72 hours before
CrCl <30 mL/min Seek specialist advice.
The treating surgeon should advise when to recommence NOAC therapy. Table 27 provides guidance on when
therapeutic dose NOACs should be recommenced post-operatively (consult Table 23 to determine bleeding
risk). THR and TKR prophylaxis with NOAC may be recommenced after 24 hours.
β
Bridging anticoagulation involves the administration of a short-acting anticoagulant, typically a LMWH during the
interruption of a longer-acting anticoagulant.

Table 27: Recommencing NOAC post-operatively(5)
Recommencing NOAC post-operatively

Low bleeding risk
Start or resume 24 hours after surgery
surgery
High bleeding risk Do not resume therapeutic dosing until 48 – 72 hours after surgery
surgery Consider alternative VTE prophylaxis in the interim
6.1 Epidural, and spinal anaesthesia and lumbar puncture

There is limited safety data on epidurals and NOAC use. Specialist medical advice should be sought for patients
receiving a NOAC who require an epidural or spinal anesthesia.
Spinal or epidural anesthesia is contraindicated in patients currently receiving a therapeutic dose of NOAC. If a
decision has been made to cease therapeutic dose NOAC prior to surgery to enable planned epidural or spinal
anaesthesia, the NOAC should be ceased according to perioperative guidelines (Tables 24, 25 or 26).
If the NOAC has not been ceased for sufficient time to predict absence of anticoagulant effect then epidural or
spinal anesthesia should be avoided unless laboratory testing establishes the absence of anticoagulant effect
(see Table 21).
There is limited data on the safety of prophylactic dose NOAC use whilst a patient has an epidural catheter in
situ. Prophylactic dose NOAC administration is not recommended for patients who have an epidural catheter in
situ.
Specialist medical advice should be sought for patients receiving a NOAC requiring therapeutic or diagnostic
lumbar puncture.

Table 28 provides general guidance regarding timing of VTE prophylactic NOAC doses in relation to epidural or
spinal anesthesia. Longer periods apply for patients with renal impairment. The recommendations in this table
should be used in consultation with specialist medical advice.
Table 28: Timing of VTE prophylactic dose in relation to epidural or spinal anaesthesia in
patients without reduced renal function(5, 16)
Apixaban
Rivaroxaban
Dabigatran (Pradaxa®) (Eliquis®)
Timing of VTE prophylactic dose (Xarelto®)
220 mg or 150 mg daily 2.5 mg twice
10 mg daily
daily
Last prophylactic dose prior to spinal or
48 hours 24 hours 24 - 48 hours
epidural catheter insertion
Last prophylactic dose prior to spinal or
48 hours 24 hours 24 - 48 hours
epidural catheter removal
Next prophylactic dose post catheter
Not recommended
insertion (if indwelling epidural catheter in-situ)
Next prophylactic dose after epidural catheter
At least 6 hours*
removal*
*A longer delay is required if there are multiple punctures or traumatic insertion of spinal or epidural catheter.
6.2. Acute coronary syndrome and stroke admissions
The management of patients who present with acute coronary syndrome who are receiving a NOAC will depend
on a variety of patient factors as well as the treatment options available at the facility. Specialist cardiology
advice should be sought for patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome who are receiving a NOAC.
Urgent specialist advice should be sought for patients presenting with haemorrhagic strokes on NOACs as
haemorrhagic stroke represents critical bleeding (See Section 7 Managing Bleeding). Urgent specialist advice
should also be sought for patients on NOACs who present with an acute ischaemic stroke who would otherwise
meet criteria for intravenous thrombolysis therapy or interventional neuroradiology clot retrieval.
Where a patient presents with acute ischaemic stroke on a NOAC, specialist advice is needed to consider
continuation or cessation of anticoagulation in the acute period.

7. MANAGING BLEEDING
Figure 6 provides some guidance on managing bleeding. Clinicians should refer to their local bleeding
management guidelines. In rural/ regional sites where results from laboratory tests may not be readily available,
bleeding should be managed on a case-by-case basis according to patient condition in consultation with a
haematology specialist or senior medical officer.
Figure 6: Management of NOAC associated bleeding(5)
α
Adapted from Tran et al (2014) with permission
α
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Permissions Department either via email: permissions@wiley.com or use the RightsLink service by clicking on the Request Permission link accompanying this article
on Wiley Online Library (www.onlinelibrary.wiley.com)

7.1 Reversal agents
Idarucizumab (monoclonal antibody that reverses effects of dabigatran) was registered by TGA in May 2016. At
the time of publication, reversal agents for the factor Xa inhibitors (apixaban and rivaroxaban) were not available.
Indications
Idarucizumab is indicated for when rapid reversal of the anticoagulant effects of dabigatran is required for
emergency surgery/ urgent procedures and in life-threatening or uncontrolled bleeding(17).
An analysis of dabigatran reversal with idarucizumab in patients with serious bleeding or who required an urgent
procedure, demonstrated that idarucizumab completely reversed the anticoagulant effect of dabigatran within
minutes(18, 19). Though the anticoagulant effect is reversed, achieving haemostasis will be dependent on
identifying and treating the source of bleeding.
In mild or moderate bleeding e.g. patients presenting with a non-life threatening bleed or in need of non-urgent
surgery or invasive procedure, discontinuation of dabigatran and administration of appropriate supportive care is
usually sufficient.
Drug interactions
No formal interaction studies with idarucizumab and other medicines have been conducted. Clinically relevant
interactions with other medicines are considered unlikely.
Monitoring
The following laboratory tests should be conducted before idarucizumab administration and 30 minutes after
IDARUCIZUMAB administration:
 aPTT
 PT
 Fibrinogen
 TT.
IDARUCIZUMAB is only indicated if the TT is prolonged. A normal TT rules out the presence of dabigatran. The
TT is extremely sensitive, even to clinically insignificant levels of dabigatran. Repeat doses of idarucizumab
should not be based on repeat TT results in isolation.
Dosage and administration

The recommended dose of IDARUCIZUMAB is 5 g (2 x 2.5 g/ 50 mL). Administer intravenously as two
consecutive infusions over 5 to 10 minutes each or as a bolus injection. No dose adjustment is required for renal
impairment.
Restarting DABIGATRAN
Reversing dabigatran exposes patients to the thrombotic risk of their underlying disease. Resumption of
anticoagulant therapy should be considered as soon as medically appropriate. Specialist advice should be
sought. Dependent on patient circumstances, treatment can be initiated 24 hours after administration of
idarucizumab.
Idarucizumab may not be available in all facilities. Clinicians should verify availability with their relevant Drug and
Therapeutics Committee and Pharmacy Department.

An idarucizumab information sheet is available on the Clinical Excellence Commission High-Risk Medicines
webpage.
7.2 Pro-haemostatic agents

There is limited evidence on the use of pro-haemostatic agents in NOAC related bleeding(5). Where available, it is
only reasonable to consider the use of pro-haemostatic agents, in the circumstance of life-threatening bleeding
unable to be managed with supportive measures and in consultation with a haematologist. The risk of
thrombotic complications may be significant. The use of rFVIIa in NOAC related bleeding is not recommended(5).
7.3 Use of dialysis in life-threatening bleeding for patients treated with

dabigatran(5, 20)
Where available, dialysis may be considered in patients treated with dabigatran who have life-threatening
bleeding when:
 The patient has renal function impairment, or
 Dabigatran is present in excess indicated by aPTT >80 seconds or a dabigatran level >500 mg/mL.
There is no role for dialysis in rivaroxaban and apixaban related bleeding due to high protein binding (5).
7.4 Blood management guidelines

For patients requiring transfusion support, evidence based patient blood management guidelines are available
on the Australian National Blood Authority website.

8. INFORMATION AND EDUCATION FOR PATIENTS,
FAMILIES AND CARERS
All patients and/ or their carer should receive education on their medications. Patients should also be advised to
carry an alert card or provide Medic/Alert™ information.
Education regarding NOACs should address:

 Information about bleeding risk, what to do in case of bleeding, and the importance of alerting health
care professionals that they are being treated with a NOAC
 Importance of not missing doses
 Actions to be taken if they miss a dose (see 3.4 Management of a missed dose) or take a duplicate dose
 Advice to check with the prescriber before starting any medication, including complementary and
alternative medicines. For example, St John’s Wort which may reduce the anticoagulant effect
 Dietary requirements, such as avoiding grapefruit juice as it can increase the anticoagulant effect
 The need to reassess kidney function in case dose adjustment is required (patient may believe that no
monitoring is required)
 Actions to be taken if they sustain a fall
 Instructions for taking their NOAC (see Table 17)
 For rivaroxaban and apixaban, in the treatment of VTE, the requirement for a dosage adjustment of the
anticoagulant at one week (apixaban) or three weeks (rivaroxaban) after commencement
 The need for regular clinical review by their GP.
Up to date Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) (available via TGA website) should be provided to the patient
and/ or their carer:
 Dabigatran (Pradaxa® Capsules)
 Apixaban (Eliquis®)
 Rivaroxaban (Xarelto®)
The following resources may also be useful:
Clinical Excellence Commission:

 Dabigatran (Pradaxa®) Information for Patient’s, Families and Carers
 Apixaban (Eliquis®) Information for Patient’s, Families and Carers
 Rivaroxaban (Eliquis®) Information for Patient’s, Families and Carers
These documents have also been translated into the following languages: Arabic, Traditional Chinese, Simplified
Chinese, Greek, Korean and Vietnamese. The translated versions are available on the Clinical Excellence
Commission High-Risk Medicines Webpage.
Government of Western Australia:

 Living with a NOAC (2013)

REFERENCES / BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. Boehringer Ingelheim Pty Limited. Product Information Pradaxa ® (dabigatran etexilate). Therapeutic Goods
Administration Website [updated 28 February 2017]; Available from:
https://www.ebs.tga.gov.au/ebs/picmi/picmirepository.nsf/pdf?OpenAgent&id=CP-2009-PI-01177-3.
2. Bayer Australia LTD. Xarelto® (Rivaroxaban) Product Information. Registered Trademark of Bayer AG Therapeutic
Goods Administration Website [updated 14 July 2017]; Available from:
https://www.ebs.tga.gov.au/ebs/picmi/picmirepository.nsf/pdf?OpenAgent&id=CP-2009-PI-01020-3.
3. Bristol-Myers Squibb Australia Pty Ltd. Product Information Eliquis® (apixaban) Therapeutic Goods Administration
Website [updated 3 November 2016]; Available from:
http://www.ebs.tga.gov.au/ebs/picmi/picmirepository.nsf/pdf?OpenAgent&id=CP-2011-PI-03072-3.
4. Australian Government Department of Health. The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
5. Tran H, Joseph J, Young L, McRae S, Curnow J, Nandurker H, et al. New oral anticoagulants: a practical guide on
prescription, laboratory testing and peri-procedural/bleeding management Internal Medicine Journal 2014;44:525-
36.
6. Boehringer Ingelheim Pty Limited. Pradaxa® Consumer Medicine Information Therapeutic Goods Administration
Website 2016 [updated February 2017]; Available from:
www.ebs.tga.gov.au/ebs/picmi/picmirepository.nsf/pdf?OpenAgent&id=CP-2009-CMI-01176-3.
7. Australian Medicines Handbook Pty Ltd. Australian Medicines Handbook. [updated July 2017]; Available from:
https://amhonline.amh.net.au.acs.hcn.com.au/.
8. Truven Health Analytics INC. Micromedex Solutions. 2015 [October 2015].
9. The Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia. Australian Don’t Rush to Crush Handbook, 2nd Ed. 2015.
10. Brieger D, Curnow J. Anticoagulation: a GP primer on the new oral anticoagulants. Australian Familiy Physcian
2014;43(5):254-9.
11. Healey JS, Eikelboom J, Douketis J, Wallentin L, Oldgren J, Yang S, et al. Periprocedural bleeding and
thromboembolic events with dabigatran compared with warfarin. Circulation. 2012;126:343-8.
12. Spyropoulos AC, Al-Badri A, Sherwood MW, Douketis JD. Periprocedural management of patients receiving a
vitamin K antagonist or a direct oral anticoagulant requiring an elective procedure or surgery. Journal of Thrombosis
and Haemostasis. 2016;14:875-85.
13. Essebag V, Healey JS, Ayala-Paredes F, Kalfon E, Coutu B, Nery P, et al. Strategy of continued vs interrupted novel
oral anticoagulant at time of device surgery in patients with moderate to high risk of arterial thromboembolic events:
The BRUISE CONTROL-2 trial. American Heart Journal. 2016;173:102-7.
14. Sticherling C, Marin F, Birnie D, Boriani G, Calkins H, Dan GA, et al. Antithrombotic management in patients
undergoing electrophysiological procedures: a European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) position document
endorsed by the ESC Working Group Thrombosis, Heart Rhythm Society (HRS), and Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm
Society (APHRS). Europace. 2015;17:1197-214.
15. Acosta RD, Abraham NS, Chandrasekhara V, Chathadi KV, Eloubeidi MA, al e. The management of antithrombotic
agents for patients undergoing GI endoscopy. Gastrointestinal endoscopy. 2016;83(1):3-16.
16. Levy JH, Faraoni D, Spring JL, Douketis JD, Samama CM. Managing new oral anticoagulants in the perioperative
and intensive care unit setting. Anesthesiology. 2013;118(6):1466-74.
17. Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods public summary for ARTG ID 237761: PRAXBIND idarucizumab rch
50mg/ml solution for injection/infusion vial, Therapeutic Goods Administration used by permission of the Australian
Government.
https://www.ebs.tga.gov.au/servlet/xmlmillr6?dbid=ebs/PublicHTML/pdfStore.nsf&docid=28BA6A0640FE9F01CA25
7FB0004214F9&agid=(PrintDetailsPublic)&actionid=1
18. Pollack CV, Reilly PA, Eikelboom J, Glund S, Verhamme P, Bernstein RA, et al. Idarucizumab for dabigatran reversal
The New England Journal of Medicine. 2015;373(6):511-20.
19. Levy JH, Ageno W, Chan NC, Crowther M, Verhamme P, Weitz JI. When and how to use antidotes for the reversal of
direct oral anticoagulant: guidance from SSC of the ISTH. Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis. 2015;14:623-7.
20. Stangier J, Rathgen K, Sthle H, Mazur D. Influence of renal impairment on the pharmacokinetics and
pharmacodynamics of oral dabigatran etexilate: an open-label, parallel-group, single-centre study. Clinical
Pharmacokinetics. 2010;49(4):259-68.

APPENDIX
1. Abbreviations used
Abbreviation Term
AF Atrial fibrillation
aPTT Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time
CMI Consumer Medicine Information
CNS Central nervous system
CrCl Creatinine clearance (estimated using the Cockcroft-Gault equation)
DVT Deep vein thrombosis
FBC Full blood count
INR International normalised ratio
ICH Intracranial haemorrhage
IV Intravenous
LFT Liver Function Test
LMWH Low molecular weight heparin
NOAC Non-vitamin k antagonist oral anticoagulant
PBS Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme
PE Pulmonary embolism
P-gp P-glycoprotein
PBS Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme
PT Prothrombin time
SNRI Serotonin norepinephrine re-uptake inhibitor
SSRI Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor
TGA Therapeutic Goods Administration
THR Total hip replacement
TIA Transient ischaemic attack
TKR Total knee replacement
TT Thrombin time
UFH Unfractionated heparin
VTE Venous thromboembolism

Locked Bag 8
Haymarket NSW 1240
Phone: (02) 9269 5500
Email: CEC-info@health.nsw.gov.au
Web: www.cec.health.nsw.gov.au

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NOAC GUIDELINES

UPDATED JULY 2017

© Clinical Excellence Commission 2017

National Library of Australia Cataloguing-in-Publication entry

Clinical Excellence Commission

Any enquiries about or comments on this publication should be directed to:

Non-Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants (NOAC) Guidelines | Page 2

2. NOAC INDICATIONS AND CONTRAINDICATIONS .......................................................................6

3. COMMENCING TREATMENT .........................................................................................................9

4. PATIENT FOLLOW-UP AND MONITORING..................................................................................21

5 TRANSITIONING BETWEEN ANTICOAGULANTS .......................................................................22

6. PERIOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT AND OTHER CONSIDERATIONS ..........................................29

8. INFORMATION AND EDUCATION FOR PATIENTS, FAMILIES AND CARERS ...........................37

Non-Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants (NOAC) Guidelines | Page 3

Non-Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants (NOAC) Guidelines | Page 4

This NOAC guideline does not address anticoagulation in:

Non-Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants (NOAC) Guidelines | Page 5

Box 1: PBS Authority listed risk factors(4)

 Prior stroke (ischaemic or unknown type)

Non-Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants (NOAC) Guidelines | Page 6

Table 1: Registered indications and PBS listings of NOACs

Indication Dabigatran Apixaban Rivaroxaban

Non-Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants (NOAC) Guidelines | Page 7

Box 2: Contraindications to NOAC therapy(1-3)

Dabigatran (Pradaxa®), Apixaban (Eliquis®) & Rivaroxaban (Xarelto®)

prevention of VTE after elective THR or TKR see Table 15)

Non-Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants (NOAC) Guidelines | Page 8

Table 2: Considerations prior to commencing dabigatran (Pradaxa®)(1, 6)

Non-Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants (NOAC) Guidelines | Page 9

Contraindicated in hepatic disease associated with coagulopathy and clinically

Table 4: Considerations prior to commencing rivaroxaban (Xarelto®)(2)

Use with caution - CrCl 30 – 50mL/min

Non-Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants (NOAC) Guidelines | Page 10

Table 5: Dabigatran (Pradaxa®) drug interactions(1, 7, 8)

Non-Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants (NOAC) Guidelines | Page 11

Class or medicine Effect on rivaroxaban or

St John’s Wort Caution Reduced activity

Table 7: Dabigatran (Pradaxa®), apixaban (Eliquis®) and rivaroxaban (Xarelto®)

Example Effect on bleeding

Non-Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants (NOAC) Guidelines | Page 12

Table 8: Dabigatran (Pradaxa®) dosing for stroke prevention in non-valvular AF(1)

Indication Risk factors Dose Duration

 diabetes mellitus Patient with:

Non-Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants (NOAC) Guidelines | Page 13

Indication Risk factors Dose Duration

Indication Risk factors Dose Duration

Non-Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants (NOAC) Guidelines | Page 14

Indication Risk factor Dose Duration

Indication Risk factor Dose Duration

Non-Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants (NOAC) Guidelines | Page 15

Indication Risk factor Dose Duration

Non-Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants (NOAC) Guidelines | Page 16

Indication Risk factor Dose Duration

Prevention of stroke and

Indication Risk factor Dose Duration

Patient with: Rivaroxaban 10 mg THR = 35 days

Non-Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants (NOAC) Guidelines | Page 17

Indication Risk factor Dose Duration

Non-Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants (NOAC) Guidelines | Page 18

Table 17: NOAC administration(1-3, 6)