Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are a class of anticoagulant medications that inhibit specific coagulation factors, primarily factor Xa or thrombin, to prevent thrombus formation. They are clinically significant due to their predictable pharmacokinetics, which eliminate the need for routine monitoring and allow for fixed dosing, making them convenient for patients. A key example is rivaroxaban, which is commonly used for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation and treatment of venous thromboembolism.
