Heparin is a medication given as a subcutaneous injection and available with a doctor's prescription. It belongs to the class of drugs called anticoagulants and is used to treat and prevent blood clots in the deep veins in the body. Heparin may...
Spending on medication in the United States rose 4.9 percent to $227.5 billion in 2009, according to "Formulary: Policy Watch." The rise in drug costs reflects the use of many nongeneric drugs. Brand-name drugs cost more than generic drugs and...
The American Heart Association defines anticoagulants as medications that delay blood clotting. There are two common anticoagulants, warfarin (Coumadin) and heparin. Anticoagulants are often referred to as blood thinners, though they do not...
Vitamin K is one of the four fat-soluble vitamins. There are various forms of vitamin K in nature, with plants, bacteria and animals all synthesizing a slightly different form. The main roles of vitamin K are blood coagulation, bone metabolism and...
Blood tests can provide a wealth of information about your health. These diagnostic tools help in the determination of disease. Some diseases can change the number of certain types of blood cells, while others can destroy cells or change their...
If you're headed for surgery, it's important to let your doctor know all the medications and supplements you are taking, including fish oil. Depending on the procedure, your doctor will decide whether fish oil will pose a risk for you during...
Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome is an autoimmune disease. The antibodies of people with this disorder attack their own system. People develop recurring blood clots and may have cardiovascular attacks, pulmonary emboli, deep vein thrombosis and...
Your doctor has told you that you need a blood transfusion and perhaps you do not understand why. There are different types of blood components that are transfused in anemia, trauma, clotting abnormalities and chronic blood loss. A few other...
