Table 2.

Potential advantages of ximelagatran over warfarin and their consequences

Advantage	Consequence
Rapid onset of action	Obviates need for a parenteral anticoagulant when initiating therapy in patients with thrombosis or at high risk of thrombosis
No food or drug interactions	Predictable anticoagulant response
Wide therapeutic window	Can be given in fixed doses without routine coagulation monitoring
Short half-life	Reduced need for an antidote