What is an anticoagulant?

Anticoagulants are also labelled as blood thinning meds. These drugs have key compounds that reduce the clotting potential of blood. These can also prolong the time your blood takes to clot. Such meds are widely used for the treatment of thrombosis and other related disorders. Anticoagulants have a closer connect with antiplatelet medications. The latter are used for segregating platelets and thus keeping them from binding to one another. Most commonly prescribed anticoagulant meds are heparin, warfarin, etc. It pays to know more about anticoagulants with added details.

Blood thinners are meds widely used for their anticoagulant properties. These drugs help avoid clotting of blood. Key ingredients of these drugs can extend the time it takes for blood to clot. Formation of clots can inhibit freer flow of blood through your veins and arteries. If left unattended, a clot can lead to thrombosis or a thrombotic disorder.

Those who encounter blood clots are at higher risk of an onset of strokes. Needful treatment at the shortest possible time can aid in preventing such conditions. Popularly known, orally-consumed anticoagulant drugs are based on a chemical called coumarin. This substance is seen in several plants. Warfarin is one of the well-known coumarin-based anticoagulant meds. It takes nearly 55 to 70 hours for the drug to exhibit its anticoagulating capabilities. So, if faster anticoagulating action is required, drugs such as heparin are used.

What is warfarin?

This anticoagulant drug is prescribed for reducing the risks of clotting of blood. It is also taken for treating clots which have already taken shape. Essential substances present in warfarin helps avoid formation of clots. If you leave a clot unattended, the odds of cardiac arrest, strokes and a few acute conditions go high. Warfarin is widely sold as an orally consumed tablet.

As warfarin is a prescribed drug, you cannot procure it over as an over-the-counter (OTC) med. Warfarin has a half-life of nearly 3 days. Also, it is categorised as a Category D med; this pregnancy rating indicates that it has shown a few positive evidences of likely threats or risks to the fetus.

What is heparin?

Heparin is known to inhibit clotting function of your blood. It is widely administered for preventing and to treat formation of clots. Key chemicals in heparin can prevent clots which have already formed from becoming large. At the same time, heparin is known to prevent formation of newer clots in blood. Heparin is commonly available in its injectable form, and is never sold without a prescription of a qualified healthcare professional.

Those who have prior, known allergies to anticoagulant drugs and blood thinners, it is highly recommended not to use antiplatelet meds and drugs like warfarin or heparin. Those who have allergies to anticoagulant drugs may develop signs like shallow breathing cycles, inflammation of oral or facial organs, skin conditions like hives, loss of consciousness, etc. Upon sensing one or more of these signs, immediately discontinue the intake of anticoagulant drugs.

Users who notice adverse outcomes or undesired side effects such as giddiness or passing out must reach out for medical assistance on an emergency basis. If you live in the US, call 911 or establish quicker contact with the helpdesk of the food & drug administration. Those who live in Canada should contact a poison management center functioning closer to where you reside. People in Canada may also reach out to Health Canada immediately.

Last but not least, if you already have a lesser platelet count, you need to keep off from using anticoagulant or blood thinning meds. As the aforesaid drugs can adversely interact with other antiplatelet drugs as well as blood thinning drugs like enoxaparin, etc., consult with your physician about all your existing treatment plans.

Disclaimer

Information provided here are only of supplementary nature. Information shared here does not substitute a qualified doctor’s advice. This website is not suggesting intake of this drug as safe or appropriate. Hence it is advised to talk to your doctor before consuming this med or any other drug.