How Well do You Know DOACs? – Interactive Quiz

March 2, 2020

DOAC Therapy

With guidelines recommending the use of DOACs for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation (AF), we have seen an increasing number of patients using these therapies.  There are common errors that are made in terms of dosing, monitoring and managing patients on these therapy.  Thrombosis Canada has some incredible tools on appropriate use of DOACs and clinical tools for practice.  A couple of great tools include the following:

If you haven’t reviewed the Thrombosis Canada website, I would encourage you to do so.

DOACs Interactive Quiz (15 T/F Questions)

I thought I would do a quiz on some of the key therapeutic issues with DOACs.  I hope you like it.

1. The standard dose of rivaroxaban for stroke prevention in AF is 20 mg once daily

2. There are several food interactions with several of the DOACs.

3. Dabigatran can be crushed or chewed, but the capsules can be opened and mixed in apple sauce in patients who can't swallow tablets.

4. Apixaban is ideally taken with food.

5. Apixaban has been shown to be more effective than dabigatran in head-to-head trials

6. DOACs are known to interact with alcohol

7. Antacids can decrease the absorption of all DOACs

8. Patients on DOAC therapy do not need routine blood testing

9. Edoxaban can be placed in a dosette or patient packaging.

10. St. John's Wort can decrease the efficacy of apixaban

11. When switching from warfarin to DOAC, they should start the DOAC and stop warfarin on the same day

12. Rivaroxaban is the only DOAC with once daily dosing for stroke prevention in AF.

13. Rivaroxaban must be taken with food.

14. The dose of apixaban for stroke prevention in AF is 5 mg BID

15. Patients using a DOAC can continue taking their medication if having a cleaning or uncomplicated tooth extraction


 

References

  1. NOACs/DOACs*: Comparison And Frequently Asked Questions
  2. Direct Oral Anticoagulation (DOAC) Monitoring Checklist for Pharmacists
  3. NOACs/DOACs*: Perioperative Management