Ximelagatran is orally active, selective and potent direct thrombin inhibitor. Ximelagatran is a prodrug of thrombin inhibitor melagatran.
It inhibits both clot-bound and free thrombin. It is quickly absorbed by the small intestine and converted to its active dipeptide drug form, Melagatran. Melagatran associates with the arginine side pocket in thrombin and inactivates it. Ximelagatran has a half-life of 4-5 hours. It is administered orally twice a day.