Anticoagulants are drugs that retard or interrupt the coagulation cascade. The primary classes of available anticoagulants include heparins, vitamin K-dependent antagonists (e.g., warfarin), direct thrombin inhibitors, and factor Xa inhibitors. Anticoagulants are used in the treatment and prevention of thrombotic and embolic diseases including cardioembolic ischemic stroke, acute coronary syndrome, and venous thromboembolism, among other conditions. Patients with atrial fibrillation or thrombophilias may require indefinite or lifelong anticoagulation. Accordingly, the route of administration, drug interactions, pharmacokinetics, and availability of reversal factors should be considered while selecting the anticoagulant therapy.