An anticoagulant drug is one that helps prevent clotting or coagulation of the blood. Anticoagulants are often known as blood thinners, although they do not actually make the blood thinner but decrease the blood's ability to clot. Anticoagulants prevent new clots from forming or stop existing clots from growing, but they don't dissolve existing blood clots. A doctor might prescribe an anticoagulant to people known to be at risk of developing a blood clot such as those who have coronary stents implanted or who suffer from a condition called atrial fibrillation.
Warfarin
Warfarin, also known by the brands name of Coumadin and Jantoven, is a commonly-prescribed blood thinner that works by inhibiting vitamin K-dependent coagulation factors. It is usually taken orally, though it is also available as a solution for injection.
The University of Maryland Medical Center warns that taking warfarin exactly as prescribed by a doctor is essential because changing how warfarin is taken can affect the way it works. In addition, certain medicines and foods should be avoided while taking warfarin.
The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends talking to a doctor before taking any over-the-counter medicines or dietary supplements. In addition alcohol should be avoided and foods, including certain oils and vegetables, should not eaten in large quantities.
Heparin
Heparin is an anticoagulant supplied as a solution for injection. Although it is prescribed in low doses for people at risk of blood clots such as those suffering from atrial fibrillation, it is also used during open-heart surgery, blood transfusions bypass surgery and kidney dialysis in order to stop the blood from clotting.
Heparin is also used in the diagnosis and treatment of a blood condition known as disseminated intravascular coagulation.
Hirudin
Hirudin is a direct thrombin inhibitor originally isolated from the saliva of leeches. It is now only available in a recombinant form because extracting hirudin from leeches in high quantities proved unfeasible.
It is supplied as a solution for injection and is indicated for a condition known as heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, a blood platelet disorder that can cause blood clots.
According to the the thrombosis charity, Lifeblood, hirudin might be more convenient than other anticoagulants such as warfarin because it causes fewer interactions and a patient taking hirudin requires less routine monitoring.
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