Anticoagulants decrease the clotting ability of the blood and therefore help to prevent harmful clots from forming in the blood vessels. These medication are sometimes called blood thinners, although they do not actually thin the blood. They also will not dissolve clots that already have formed, but they may prevent the clots from becoming larger and causing more serious problems. They are often using as treat for certain blood vessel, heart and lung conditions.
In order for an anticoagulant to help you without causing serious bleeding, it must be using properly and all of the precautions concerning its use must be followed exactly. Be sure that you have discussed the use of this drug with your family doctor. The best for you that you understand all of your family doctor's orders and that you are willing and able to follow them exactly.
Anticoagulants are available only with your family doctor's prescription, in the following dosage forms:
Some commonly using brand names are:
In the USA
In Canada
Other commonly using names are nicoumalone and dicoumarol .
Note:For quick reference, the following anticoagulants are numbered to match the corresponding brand names.
This information applies to the following medication: 1. Acenocoumarol - a-see-no-COOM-a-rol* 2. Anisindione - an-iss-in-DYE-one† 3. Dicumarol - dye-KOO-ma-role† 4. Warfarin - WAR-far-in * Not commercially available in the USA † Not commercially available in Canada Generic name product may be available in the USAThis information does not apply to ardeparin, dalteparin, danaparoid, enoxaparin, or heparin.