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Blood thinners

Blood thinners reduce clot formation and help prevent thrombosis, pulmonary embolism and stroke. They slow clotting, so unusual bleeding or a hard knock needs extra attention.

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  • Blood thinners do not literally make blood thinner. They inhibit parts of clotting and so reduce the chance of harmful blood clots.
  • Anticoagulants and antiplatelet medicines work differently and cannot be interchanged without assessment.
  • Take the medicine exactly as agreed and never stop, pause, switch or double a dose yourself.
  • Tell every doctor, dentist and pharmacist which medicine you use. Also check over-the-counter painkillers, herbal products and supplements.
  • Slightly easier bruising or longer bleeding may occur; blood in urine or stool, vomiting blood, a severe headache after head injury and continuous bleeding are warning signs.
  • The right medicine and strength depend on the reason for treatment, kidney and liver function, age, body weight, other medicines and bleeding risk.

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Further reading

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T
ThrombosisThrombosis is the formation of a blood clot in a blood vessel. A clot in a vein can cause, for example, deep vein thrombosis in the leg or a pulmonary embolism; a clot in an artery can cause a heart attack, stroke or acute blockage in an arm or leg. Symptoms and urgency depend on the location.
C
Calf painCalf pain is often caused by muscle cramp or injury, but a painful, swollen, warm calf may indicate deep vein thrombosis. New breathlessness, chest pain or fainting may indicate a pulmonary embolism and requires immediate help.
D
Deep vein thrombosis in the legDeep vein thrombosis, or DVT, is a blood clot in a deep vein of the leg. One leg may become swollen, painful, warm or discoloured. Part of the clot can travel to the lungs and cause a life-threatening pulmonary embolism.