Direct thrombin inhibitors

Direct thrombin inhibitors : ARGATROBAN, BIVALIRUDIN, DABIGATRAN, HIRUDIN, LEPIRUDIN

advantages over HEPARIN:
1. actions are independent of antithrombin III, which means they can reach and inactivate fibrin-bound thrombin inside clots
2. single mechanism of action
3. elimination of HIT as a side effect of treatment