Anticoagulants
Make blood less likely to clot, preventing clots from forming or growing.
Why it gets prescribed
Commonly prescribed for atrial fibrillation, venous clots, pulmonary embolism, or after valve replacement.
What to watch for
Some types need regular clotting tests, others do not — ask which yours is. Any sign of bleeding is worth reporting.
Stopping — read this before you stop anything
Dangerous both to stop and to increase on your own. Before any operation, procedure, endoscopy or dental extraction, stopping and restarting must be decided by the PRESCRIBER — not by you and not by the proceduralist.
Tell the prescriber and the pharmacist
Tell everyone who treats you, and include supplements — many over-the-counter products affect clotting. With some types, a steady intake of green leafy vegetables matters; ask your pharmacist about yours.
Worth asking
- Does mine need regular blood tests
- Before a procedure, when do I stop and when do I restart
- What do I do if I fall or hit my head