Question

Apixaban is

• A. Antithrombin inhibitor
• B. Direct Xa inhibitor
• C. Platelet activator
• D. Clotting Factor XII

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Apixaban is a pharmaceutical drug used in the prevention and treatment of thromboembolic disorders. It is classified as a Direct Xa inhibitor.

To understand why Direct Xa inhibitor the correct classification is, let's delve into its mechanism of action: 

1. Target: Apixaban directly targets and inhibits Factor Xa, an essential enzyme in the coagulation cascade.
2. Function: Factor Xa plays a critical role in converting prothrombin to thrombin, a key step in the formation of blood clots.
3. Effect: By inhibiting Factor Xa, Apixaban effectively reduces the formation of thrombin, thereby preventing clot formation.

This mechanism differentiates it from:

• Antithrombin inhibitors - These inhibit antithrombin, which is not Apixaban's target.
• Platelet activators - These stimulate platelet aggregation, opposite to Apixaban's purpose.
• Clotting Factor XII - This factor initiates the intrinsic pathway and is not the target of Apixaban.

Hence, Apixaban's role as a Direct Xa inhibitor is a crucial aspect of its therapeutic use in managing clotting disorders.