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Heart

DOACs (newer blood thinners)

Non-vitamin K oral anticoagulant (NOAC / DOAC)
Other names: apixaban, Eliquis, rivaroxaban, Xarelto, dabigatran, Pradaxa

FAA guidance

Depends on the underlying condition.

Wait

2 weeks

observation when starting

Source: FAA, Anticoagulants. FAA date 27 March 2024. Checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026

The FAA documents quoted here name the class, not this medication. Crosscheck matched it through its class: Non-vitamin K oral anticoagulant (NOAC / DOAC).

The FAA's Anticoagulants page says that for applicants just beginning treatment with NOAC/DOACs, a minimum observation time of 2 weeks after starting is required, and the applicant must also meet any required observation time for the underlying condition.

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More detail: DOACs (newer blood thinners)The rest of Crosscheck's reading, in plain wordsOpen

For non-valvular atrial fibrillation it points to its emboli mitigation guidance. On the FAA's current page, the two-week list is printed inside the warfarin section; earlier versions of the same page printed it under NOAC/DOACs.

The FAA's anticoagulants page sends the certification decision to the heart disposition table, Item 36, and the protocol to the specific underlying condition.

  • 14 days after starting: ground observation
Show the FAA's words: DOACs (newer blood thinners)The official FAA wording: two passages, each with its document and dateOpen
FAA, Anticoagulants · FAA date 27 March 2024
For applicants who are just beginning treatment with NOAC/DOACs, the following is required:
For Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation (AFib), See Emboli Mitigation (PDF)
Minimum observation time of 2 weeks after initiation of therapy; AND Must also meet any required observation time for the underlying condition
FAA, Anticoagulants · FAA date 27 March 2024
Aeromedical Decision Considerations:
See Item 36, Heart , Aerospace Medical Disposition table
Protocol:
As per the specific underlying condition(s), see Disease Protocols .
Sources and dates: DOACs (newer blood thinners)One FAA document, with the FAA's date and when Crosscheck checked itOpen
  • Anticoagulants

    FAA date 27 March 2024 · Checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026 · Web page

See also

Medication guidance alone does not determine whether a pilot is medically qualified to fly. The underlying condition, dosage, side effects, medication combinations, and certification history may affect FAA eligibility.

For informational purposes only. Not legal or medical advice.