Encyclopedia of Health and Medicine

anticoagulation therapy 15
ANTICOAGULANT MEDICATIONS
Medication Action Common Reasons Prescribed
aspirin antiplatelet HEART ATTACK and STROKE PROPHYLAXIS
ATRIAL FIBRILLATION
cilostazol antiplatelet INTERMITTENT CLAUDICATION
PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE (PVD)
clopidogrel antiplatelet heart attack and stroke prophylaxis
atrial fibrillation
dalteparin clotting factor inhibitor; low DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS (DVT) and PULMONARY EMBOLISM (PE)
molecular weight heparin (LMWH) prophylaxis
after major surgery that limits mobility during recovery
dipyridamole antiplatelet in combination with aspirin for heart attack and stroke
prophylaxis
in combination with warfarin after heart valve
replacement to prevent clots from forming on the
prosthetic valve
enoxaparin clotting factor inhibitor; LMWH DVT and PE prophylaxis
after major surgery that limits mobility during recovery
fondaparinux clotting factor inhibitor; blocks clotting DVT and PE prophylaxis
factor X
after major surgery that limits mobility during recovery
heparin clotting factor inhibitor during OPEN HEART SURGERY
after major surgery that limits mobility during recovery
DVT and PE prophylaxis
ticlopidine antiplatelet stroke prophylaxis in people who cannot take aspirin or
who have had previous strokes
tinzaparin clotting factor inhibitor; LMWH DVT and PE prophylaxis
after major surgery that limits mobility during recovery
warfarin clotting factor inhibitor; blocks VITAMIN K intermittent claudication
SYNTHESIS
PVD
atrial fibrillation
of excessive anticoagulation that require a doctor’s
evaluation.
When on anticoagulation therapy it is important
to avoid OVER-THE-COUNTER (OTC) DRUGS such as
NONSTEROIDAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUGS (NSAIDS) in
products for PAIN relief, menstrual cramps, and
cold and flu relief, and salicylates such as Pepto-
Bismol. These products have mild anticoagulation
effects that can cause excessive bleeding in combination
with anticoagulation medications. As well,
anticoagulation medications interact with numerous
other medications and may have side effects,
some of which can have serious health consequences.