Blood thinners are medications that reduce the ability of the blood to form clots or that dissolve existing clots, used to prevent and treat thrombotic events including deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), ischaemic stroke, and systemic embolism in atrial fibrillation (AF). The term "blood thinner" is somewhat of a misnomer — these drugs do not literally thin the blood but rather interfere with the coagulation cascade (anticoagulants) or with platelet aggregation (antiplatelets).
Anticoagulants interfere with clotting factor activity. Warfarin (vitamin K antagonist) inhibits the synthesis of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors (II, VII, IX, X, and proteins C and S). Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) — apixaban, rivaroxaban, dabigatran, edoxaban — act on specific factors (Xa or IIa/thrombin) and have largely replaced warfarin for many indications due to their fixed dosing, fewer drug interactions, and no requirement for routine INR monitoring. Antiplatelet agents such as aspirin and clopidogrel prevent platelets from aggregating — primarily used in arterial thrombosis prevention (coronary artery disease, stroke prevention post-TIA) rather than venous clot treatment.
Blood Thinner Medications Available at Lucas Clinic
- Coumadin (Warfarin) — vitamin K antagonist anticoagulant for AF, DVT/PE, and mechanical heart valves; requires regular INR monitoring; colour-coded tablets
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