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What are anticoagulants? | ||||||
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Anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs Anticoagulant drugs 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. However, another type of drug, used in thrombolytic therapy, will dissolve existing clots. Anticoagulant drugs may be prescribed for a number of reasons, for example after replacement valve surgery to prevent clots forming, after a heart attack to prevent another heart attack or stroke. Anticoagulant drugs affect the blood's ability to clot and therefore there is an increased risk of severe bleeding for people who are taking them. Because of this risk, it is vitally important to take anticoagulant drugs exactly as directed. Never take larger or more frequent doses. No two people are the same and the dosage prescribed will depend on the type of anticoagulant drug and the medical condition for which it is prescribed. Depending on the drug that is prescribed for you, you may need to have regular blood tests to check the blood's clotting ability. The results of these tests will help your Doctor determine the proper dose of the drug to be taken each day. People who are taking anticoagulant drugs should tell all doctors, dentists, pharmacists, and other medical professionals who provide medical treatments or services to them that they are taking this medicine. They should also carry identification stating that they are using an anticoagulant drug. Do not take any other prescription or over-the-counter medicine (especially aspirin) without first telling the Pharmacist that you are taking anticoagulation therapy. | ||||||
DID YOU KNOW? Alcohol may affect your INR reading. While small quantities will do no harm, binge drinking or sudden changes in consumption can have unexpected effects. DID YOU KNOW? You need to tell your doctor and pharmacist what herbal products you are taking, especially bromelains, coenzyme Q10, danshen, dong quai, garlic, Ginkgo biloba, and St. John's wort. Do not start taking any herbal products without talking to your doctor.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking warfarin, consult your doctor. | ||||||
Why you may need anticoagulants | ||||||
You may need to use warfarin or other anticoagulants if you have been diagnosed with or treated for one or more of the following: 1. Atrial fibrillation (AF)
Warfarin stops your blood from clotting within the blood vessels. It is also used to stop existing clots getting bigger (as in DVT) and to stop parts of clots breaking off and forming emboli (as in PE). it is often common to refer to the delay in clotting as 'thinning' the blood.
Treatment with warfarin is safe as long as you follow the advice of your anticoagulant clinic and/or the advice in your Anticoagulant Therapy Record Book. You will need to have your blood tested at regular intervals at an anticoagulant clinic or at home by self-testing. Your INR reading may vary, but will need to be kept within a certain range decided by your GP or consultant.
It stands for International Normalised Ratio (INR) and is a measure of how much longer it takes the blood to clot when oral anticoagulation is used. For example, if your INR is 2 the blood is taking twice as long as normal to clot. Everyone needs a unique dosage of anticoagulant, which needs to be kept at a stable level. How will my treatment be monitored? Your treatment is monitored by regular blood testing. The INR is then measured and recorded in your Anticoagulant Therapy Record Book. Your warfarin dosage will be adjusted up or down depending on the result of your blood test: if the INR is too low, the warfarin dose is increased; if it is too high the dose is decreased.
The most common side effects of warfarin are bleeding and bruising. It can be in the form of prolonged bleeding from cuts, bleeding that does not stop by itself, nose bleeds, small or large bruises under the skin, bleeding gums when brushing the teeth, red or dark brown urine, red or black stools, or coughing or vomiting bloodstained fluid. Although these problems are - fortunately - rare, if you do occur they can be serious. In the event of prolonged bleeding, you must inform your GP or haematologist, or go to the nearest casualty department for urgent treatment.
AntiCoagulation Europe produces the following booklets: Living with Warfarin Living with Atrial Fibrillation We are also able to supply Healthy Heart UK's booklet: Your Cholesterol and Heart Disease: Making the Connection Copies of any of these publications are available for £1.00 per item (including postage and packing) from: AntiCoagulation Europe, PO Box 405, Bromley, Kent BR2 9WP. | ||||||
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