Antiplatelets are medications that prevent blood from clotting. According to the American Heart Association, blood clots can block the flow of blood to the heart and brain, leading to heart attacks and strokes. Doctors prescribe antiplatelets to prevent blood clots in patients with certain cardiovascular disorders that increase the risk of clot formation. Antiplatelet drugs have several side effects.
Unusual Bleeding
According to the Texas Heart Institute at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital in Houston, antiplatelet drugs inhibit blood clotting and increase the risk of unusual bleeding. Bleeding caused by antiplatelets can occur anytime during therapy and without obvious symptoms. Signs of internal bleeding caused by antiplatelets include bloody urine, nose bleeding, black tarry stools, coughing up blood, coffee ground vomit, weakness, red spots under the skin, bruises, dizziness when standing, headache, fainting, heavy menses and vaginal bleeding. Patients with signs of internal bleeding should seek immediate medical attention. Patients planning to undergo surgery, including dental surgery should inform the doctor two weeks in advance that they are taking antiplatelets in order to avoid uncontrollable bleeding during surgery. Patients with active bleeding problems and clotting problems should antiplatelets. Patients should also avoid contact sports or activities that place them at high risk of bleeding.
Life-threatening Blood Disorders
According to the Texas Heart Institute, antiplatelets may cause life threatening blood disorders such as neutropenia, agrunolocytosis and thrombotic thrombocytopenia. Neutropenia is an abnormally low number of white blood cells. Agrunolocytosis is failure of the bone marrow to make enough white blood cells. Signs of neutropenia and agrunolocytosis include fever, chills, sore throat and tiredness. Thrombotic thrombocytopenia is a condition in which there are not enough platelets in the blood. Thrombocytopenia causes easy bruising and bleeding. Patients with signs of neutropenia, agrunolocytosis and thrombocytopenia should seek medical attention.
Gastrointestinal Upset
According to the Texas Heart Institute, antiplatelets may cause nausea, stomach pain, heartburn, diarrhea and flatulence. Patients may take antiplatelet medications with food to avoid gastrointestinal upset.
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