Which statement best describes direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs)?

• A. They require frequent INR monitoring.
• B. They are never reversible.
• C. They are blood thinners used to prevent and treat clots.
• D. They are only effective when given intravenously.

Answer: (C)

Direct oral anticoagulants are blood thinners taken by mouth to prevent and treat clots. They work by directly inhibiting specific parts of the coagulation cascade—dabigatran blocks thrombin, while rivaroxaban, apixaban, and edoxaban block factor Xa. They’re designed for oral use and typically don’t require routine INR monitoring, unlike warfarin. Bleeding risk remains, but reversal options exist for many DOACs (such as idarucizumab for dabigatran and andexanet alfa for factor Xa inhibitors). This makes the description as blood thinners used to prevent and treat clots the best fit.