Issue link: https://blog.providence.org/i/1546192
18 Medications Be sure to follow your doctor's instructions when taking any prescribed medication. Anticoagulants and Antiplatelet Agents Anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents are medicines that reduce blood clotting in an artery, a vein or the heart. Blood clots can block blood flow to the brain, causing a stroke. When doctors want to help prevent strokes caused by a blood clot, they may prescribe one of these medications to improve blood flow and reduce clot formation. What should I know about anticoagulants? Anticoagulants (or "blood thinners") are medicines that delay the clotting of blood. They can make it harder for clots to form or keep existing clots from enlarging in your heart, veins or arteries. Treatment should be supervised, and it should last only as long as necessary. Examples include heparin, warfarin, dabigatran, apixaban and rivaroxaban. For some anticoagulants like warfarin, have blood tests taken regularly so your doctor can tell if the medicine is working. Never take aspirin with anticoagulants unless your doctor tells you to. You must tell other health care providers that you're taking anticoagulants. Always check with your doctor before taking other medications such as aspirin, vitamins, cold medicine, sleeping pills or antibiotics. These can alter the effectiveness and safety of anticoagulants by strengthening or weakening them. Discuss your diet with a health care professional. Tell your family that you take anticoagulant medicine and carry your emergency medical ID card with you. Could anticoagulants cause problems? Yes. Tell your doctor if: Your urine turns pink or red. Your stools turn red, dark brown or black. You bleed more than normal when you have your period. Your gums bleed. You have a very bad headache or stomach pain that doesn't go away. You get sick or feel weak, faint or dizzy. You think you're pregnant. You often find bruises or blood blisters. You have an accident of any kind.