Ximelagatran is an ester prodrug of melagatran, a potent, direct, and reversible thrombin inhibitor (Ki = 1.2 nM).1,2 While melagatran has poor oral bioavailability, ximelagatran displays good bioavailability resulting, in part, from rapid absorption at the gastrointestinal tract, as well as rapid onset of action.2 Ximelagatran is converted to melagatran by reduction and hydrolysis at the liver and other tissues.1,2 It is used as an anticoagulant in a variety of situations, including thromboembolic disorders, stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation, and therapy in vein thrombosis.2,3
1.Clement, B., and Lopian, K.Characterization of in vitro biotransformation of new, orally active, direct thrombin inhibitor ximelagatran, an amidoxime and ester prodrugDrug Metab. Dispos.31(5)645-651(2003) 2.Ho, S.J., and Brighton, T.A.Ximelagatran: Direct thrombin inhibitorVasc. Health Risk Manag.2(1)49-58(2006) 3.Ufer, M.Comparative pharmacokinetics of vitamin K antagonists warfarin, phenprocoumon and acenocoumarolClin. Pharmacokinet.44(12)1227-1246(2005)