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Anticoagulant drugs, also called
anti-platelet drugs, anti-clotting
drugs, and blood thinners, are medicines
that prevent the clotting of blood.
Anticoagulant drugs help prevent the
formation of harmful clots in the
blood vessels by decreasing the blood's
ability to clump together. Although
these drugs are sometimes called blood
thinners, they do not actually thin
the blood. Furthermore, this type
of medicine will not dissolve clots
that already have formed, although
the drug stops an existing clot from
worsening.
Anticoagulant drugs are used in a
number of situations. For example,
they may be given to prevent blood
clots from forming after the replacement
of a heart valve or to reduce the
risk of a stroke or another heart
attack after a first heart attack.
They are also used to reduce the chance
of blood clots forming during open
heart surgery or bypass surgery. Low
doses of these drugs may be given
to prevent blood clots in patients
who must stay in bed for a long time
after certain kinds of surgery.
What precautions do I need to take
for anticoagulants?
Since anticoagulants affect the blood's
ability to clot, they can increase
the risk of severe bleeding and heavy
blood loss. Persons who take anticoagulants
should see a physician regularly,
particularly at the beginning of therapy.
The physician will order periodic
blood tests to check the blood's clotting
ability. The results of these tests
will help the physician determine
the proper amount of medicine to be
taken each day.
Time is required for normal clotting
ability to return after treatment
with this drug stops. During this
period, patients must observe the
same precautions they observe while
taking the drug. The length of time
needed for the blood to return to
normal depends on the type of anticoagulant
drug that was taken. Check with the
physician who prescribed the medicine
to find out how long to continue observing
all precautions.
Because of the risk of heavy bleeding,
anyone who takes an anticoagulant
drug must take care to avoid injuries.
Sports and other potentially hazardous
activities should be avoided. Any
falls, blows to the body or head,
or other injuries should be reported
to a physician, as internal bleeding
may occur without any obvious symptoms.
Special care should be taken in shaving
and in brushing and flossing the teeth.
Use only a soft toothbrush and floss
very gently. Use an electric razor
instead of a blade. Anyone who is
taking anticoagulant should avoid
drinking as alcohol can affect the
working of anticoagulants.
What are the likely side effects
of anti-coagulants?
The most common side effects are
bloating or gas. These problems usually
go away as the body adjusts to the
drug and do not require medical treatment.
More serious side effects may occur,
especially if too much of this medicine
is taken which includes
- Bleeding gums
- Sores or white spots in the mouth
or throat
- Unusual bruises or purplish areas
* on the skin
- Unexplained nosebleeds
- Unusually heavy bleeding or oozing
from wounds
- Unexpected or unusually menstrual
bleeding
- Blood in the urine
- Cloudy or dark urine
- Painful or difficult urination or
sudden decrease in amount of urine
- Black, tarry, or bloody stools
- Coughing up blood
- Vomiting blood or something that
looks like coffee grounds
- Constipation
- Pain or swelling in the stomach
or abdomen
- Back pain and so on.
In addition, patients taking anticoagulant
drugs should check with their physicians
as soon as possible if any of these
side effects occur:
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Stomach pain or cramps.
What are the likely drug interactions
of anticoagulants?
Anticoagulants may interact with
many other medicines. When this happens,
the effects of one or both of the
drugs may change or the risk of side
effects may be greater. Anyone who
takes anticoagulants should let the
physician know all other prescription
or nonprescription (over-the-counter
medicines) drugs he/she is taking
-- especially aspirin, laxatives,
vitamins, and antacids.
Diet also affects the way anticoagulant
drugs work in the body. Eat a normal,
balanced diet every day while taking
this medicine. Do not make any diet
changes without checking with the
physician who prescribed the medicine,
and let the physician know if an illness
or other problem interferes with the
ability to eat normally. The reason
that diet is so important is that
the amount of Vitamin K in the body
affects how the anticoagulant drugs
work. Vitamin K is found in meats,
dairy products, leafy, green vegetables,
and some multiple vitamins and nutritional
supplements. . Do not increase or
decrease the amount of foods containing
vitamin K in the diet without checking
with the physician who prescribed
the anticoagulant.
What are the drugs that come under
anticoagulants?
Your doctor may prescribe any of
the following anticoagulant drugs
to prevent/treat blood clot
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