1. Cease Medications That Increase Your Risk
If you are taking a medication that causes you to have symptomatic lupus anticoagulants, your doctor will most likely treat the condition by taking you off your medicine. Lupus anticoagulants are antibodies that exponentially increase your risk of developing blood clots. They are generally found in people who have lupus and other autoimmune diseases, but can also be serious side effects of some drugs, including the commonly used antibiotic amoxicillin and birth-control pills. For this reason, it is important for you to inform your doctor of all prescription and over-the-counter drugs you are currently taking, as well as any nutritional supplements.
2. Use Injectable Drugs
There are patients who have the lupus anticoagulant antibody but have no symptoms at all and do not need any special treatment for the condition. Others experience nosebleeds, bleeding gums and abnormal menstruation, as well as blood clots. Blood clots that appear as a symptom need to be dissolved before they cause serious complications. One treatment method is to use an injectable drug called heparin to break up the clotting. Depending on your individual situation, heparin may be injected under the skin (subcutaneously) or given through an intravenous line.
3. Take Oral Blood Thinners for Maintenance
Oral blood-thinning drugs (usually warfarin) are used in conjunction with heparin to treat lupus anticoagulants. After your injectable drug regimen has been completed, you will need to take high doses of an oral blood thinner for a few months, or even longer. Some people who have this antibody may need to use blood-thinning medications for their entire lives to reduce the high risk of venous or arterial thrombosis. Your doctor will instruct you to be aware of any unexplained pain, redness or warmth in your limbs that may be a sign of a life-threatening blood clot.
