Conversions
Direct-acting anticoagulantSwitching to or from the vitamin K antagonist warfarin (Coumadin)Switching to or from nonwarfarin anticoagulants
  • Apixaban (Eliquis): 10 mg twice per day for 7 days, then 5 mg twice per day

  • From warfarin to apixaban:

  • Discontinue warfarin and initiate apixaban when INR is < 2.0.

  • To warfarin from apixaban:

  • Discontinue apixaban and begin both a parenteral anticoagulant and warfarin when the next dose of apixaban is due; discontinue parenteral anticoagulant when INR reaches the target range.

  • From oral or parenteral anticoagulants to apixaban:

  • Discontinue anticoagulant and begin apixaban when the next dose of the anticoagulant is due.

  • To oral or parenteral anticoagulants from apixaban:

  • Discontinue apixaban and begin the new anticoagulant when the next dose of apixaban is due.

  • Dabigatran (Pradaxa): 150 mg twice per day after 5 to 10 days of parenteral anticoagulation

  • From warfarin to dabigatran:

  • Discontinue warfarin and initiate dabigatran when INR is < 2.0.

  • To warfarin from dabigatran based on CrCl:

  • CrCl > or = 50 mL per minute per 1.73 m2 (0.83 mL per second per m2): initiate warfarin 3 days before discontinuation of dabigatran.

  • CrCl 30 to 50 mL per minute per 1.73 m2 (0.50 to 0.83 mL per second per m2): initiate warfarin 2 days before discontinuation of dabigatran.

  • CrCl 15 to 30 mL per minute per 1.73 m2 (0.25 to 0.50 mL per second per m2): initiate warfarin 1 day before discontinuation of dabigatran.

  • CrCl < 15 mL per minute per 1.73 m2: not recommended.

  • From a parenteral anticoagulant to dabigatran:

  • Initiate dabigatran < or = 2 hours before the next dose of the parenteral anticoagulant is due or at the time of discontinuation for a continuously administered parenteral drug; discontinue parenteral anti-coagulant at the time of dabigatran initiation.

  • To a parenteral anticoagulant from dabigatran:

  • Wait 12 hours (CrCl = or > 30 mL per minute per 1.73 m2) or 24 hours (CrCl < 30 mL per minute per 1.73 m2) after the last dose of dabigatran before initiating a parenteral anticoagulant.

  • Edoxaban (Savaysa): 60 mg every 24 hours after 5 to 10 days of initial therapy with a parenteral anticoagulant

  • From warfarin to edoxaban:

  • Discontinue warfarin and start edoxaban when the INR is < 2.5.

  • To warfarin from edoxaban:

  • For patients taking 60 mg, reduce dose to 30 mg and begin warfarin concomitantly.

  • For patients taking 30 mg, reduce dose to 15 mg and begin warfarin concomitantly.

  • INR must be measured at least weekly and just before the daily dose of edoxaban to minimize the influence of edoxaban on INR measurements.

  • Discontinue edoxaban and continue warfarin once a stable INR of > 2 is achieved.

  • Parenteral option: Discontinue edoxaban and administer a parenteral anticoagulant and warfarin when the next dose of edoxaban is due; once a stable INR of > 2.0 is achieved, discontinue parenteral anticoagulant and continue warfarin.

  • From continuous infusion of unfractionated heparin to edoxaban:

  • Discontinue heparin infusion and initiate edoxaban 4 hours later.

  • From LMWH to edoxaban:

  • Discontinue LMWH and initiate edoxaban when the next dose of LMWH is due.

  • From oral anticoagulants to edoxaban:

  • Discontinue current oral anticoagulant and initiate edoxaban when the next dose of the initial oral anticoagulant is due.

  • To a parenteral anticoagulant or oral anticoagulant from edoxaban:

  • Discontinue edoxaban and start the other oral anti-coagulant when the next dose of edoxaban is due.

  • Rivaroxaban (Xarelto): 15 mg twice per day for 21 days, 20 mg once per day (should be taken with food)

  • From warfarin to rivaroxaban:

  • Discontinue warfarin and initiate rivaroxaban as soon as the INR decreases to < 3.0.

  • To warfarin from rivaroxaban:

  • Discontinue rivaroxaban and initiate warfarin and a parenteral anticoagulant when the next dose of rivaroxaban is due.

  • From continuous infusion of unfractionated heparin to rivaroxaban:

  • Initiate rivaroxaban at the time of heparin discontinuation.

  • From anticoagulants (other than continuous infusion of unfractionated heparin) to rivaroxaban:

  • Discontinue current anticoagulant and initiate rivaroxaban < or = 2 hours before the next evening dose of the discontinued anticoagulant is due.

  • To other anticoagulants (other than warfarin) from rivaroxaban:

  • Discontinue rivaroxaban and initiate the anticoagulant when the next dose of rivaroxaban is due.