Anticoagulation (Blood Thinner) Basics

Blood thinners (anticoagulants) are prescribed to treat or prevent blood clots and other complications.There a few types of blood thinners, including:

• Antiplatelet medications (clopidogrel [Plavix], prasugrel [Effient], ticagrelor [Brilinta], dipyridamole)
• Warfarin (Coumadin)
• DOAC (dabigatran [Pradaxa], apixaban [Eliquis], or rivaroxaban [Xarelto])

Blood thinner medications may be used for treatment of a blood clot, usually in your leg or lung. These medications can also be used to prevent medical complications. Most commonly they help prevent:

• Another heart attack after having a heart attack or having a stent placed
• Strokes after having a heart surgery, like valve replacement or bypass surgery
• Stroke in patients in atrial fibrillation
• Blood clots in the leg after surgery
• Blood clots in high-risk patients with genetic risk for multiple blood clots

Take blood thinners regularly, exactly as prescribed:

• Do no miss doses.
• Confirm how long you need to take it with your medical provider.

With any anticoagulant, do not take any herbal or over-the-counter medications without checking with us or another medical provider first.

Do not take NSAID medications (ibuprofen, Motrin, Aleve, naproxen, etc.) due to the risk of bleeding.

For coumadin (Warfarin), keep in mind:

• You'll need regular blood tests to check your INR to see if you need to change your dose.
• It interacts with some foods and drinks. Review what you cannot eat or drink (read more). For green vegetables, the key is to eat a consistent amount. You do not have to avoid them completely.

With any anticoagulant, there's a risk that the blood can become too thin, making you more likely to bleed or bruise.

It's common to bruise more easily, but let us know if you notice:

• Severe bruising
• Bleeding gums
• Bloody or black stools

Some signs of bleeding are more serious. Go to the nearest emergency room (ER) if you notice:

• Blood in your vomit
• A large amount of bleeding that doesn't stop after a short time
• Dizziness, lightheadedness, or confusion

Make sure all medical providers know you take a blood thinner. Be sure to:

• Ask about potential interactions with other medications.
• Discuss stopping the blood thinner before a surgery or procedure (like a colonoscopy).
• Before dental treatment, inform your dentist that you're on a blood thinner.
• Discuss the safety of activities that are high risk for injury, like sports.
• If you're pregnant or planning to become pregnant, notify us or another provider immediately.

We also recommend:

• Apply pressure to small cuts until bleeding stops.
• Consider using an emergency medical ID on your wrist or in your phone/wallet.