However, if their INR is too low, it increases their risk of suffering a dangerous clotting event. The higher a patient’s INR is, the longer it takes their blood to clot and the higher their risk for bleeding is. Someone who is receiving anticoagulation therapy should have results between 2 and 3.5 if their medicine is working correctly. The normal range for people who are not taking blood thinners is about 0.9 to 1.1. PT results are reported as an International Normalized Ratio (INR). This test can also find the cause of abnormal bleeding or bruising and check their liver function. To make sure this medication is working and the correct dosage is being administered, your loved one's doctor will prescribe regular prothombin time (PT) blood tests to measure how long it takes their blood to clot. Injuries that would be considered minor for most people may bruise or bleed excessively for people on anticoagulants. Patients sometimes experience “nuisance” bleeding that will not stop, like nose bleeds. One of the most notable side effects is excessive bleeding and bruising. Getting used to taking one of these drugs can be a process for both a patient and their caregiver. Although there may be some similarities between these two treatment options (such as the need to avoid injury and bleeding), this article addresses restrictions and suggestions for caring for a loved one who is specifically taking an anticoagulant drug. Your loved one’s doctor will determine which one is the best fit for their condition. Examples include aspirin therapy and clopidogrel (Plavix).Īlthough anticoagulants and anti-platelet medications employ different mechanisms to prevent blood clots and ensuing cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events, they both pose risks for increased bleeding. Anti-platelet drugs are another pharmaceutical option commonly prescribed as a less aggressive treatment for patients prone to thrombosis or thromboembolism due to conditions like angina, peripheral artery disease (PAD) and recovery from recent heart surgery.These drugs are used as aggressive treatments for patients with atrial fibrillation (a dangerous type of arrhythmia also known as AF or AFib) or those who are at a high risk for stroke. Heparin (brand names Clexane and Lovenox) is another commonly prescribed option, although it is taken by injection rather than orally.
Popular alternatives to warfarin include dabigatran (Pradaxa), rivaroxiban (Xarelto) and apixaban (Eliquis). A popular one is warfarin, which goes by the brand names Coumadin and Jantoven and is administered in pill form. Anticoagulants are the most common blood thinners prescribed to seniors.
#BLOOD THINNER MEDICATION PLUS#
Five of these medications are evaluated in this report: aspirin, a fixed combination of aspirin plus extended-release dipyridamole (Aggrenox), clopidogrel (Plavix), prasugrel (Effient), and ticlopidine (Ticlid and generic). This report evaluates the use of antiplatelet drugs in preventing heart attacks, strokes, and premature death in people who have acute coronary syndrome (unstable angina or had a heart attack), peripheral vascular disease, a stent, or previously had a stroke.
In people whose arteries have narrowed from atherosclerosis-the "hardening of the arteries" that is the basis of coronary artery disease and peripheral artery disease (in the legs and neck, for example)-blood clumping and clotting can become dangerous. Some people might be prone to the formation of such clots. This lowers the risk that potentially harmful blood clots will form. Namely, they decrease the clumping of blood cells called platelets. Technically, they don't actually thin the blood instead, they interfere with an important part of the process by which the blood clots. Your doctor might also refer to them as "blood thinning" drugs. These medications are widely used, primarily because aspirin is one of them. They work by reducing the formation of blood clots, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes. Antiplatelet drugs are used to lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes and to treat people who have artery blockages in their legs.
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