of excessive anticoagulation that require a doctor’s
evaluation.
When on anticoagulation therapy it is impor-
tant to avoid OVER-THE-COUNTER(OTC) DRUGSsuch 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 combi-
nation with anticoagulation medications. As well,
anticoagulation medications interact with numer-
ous other medications and may have side effects,
some of which can have serious health conse-
quences.anticoagulation therapy 15ANTICOAGULANT MEDICATIONSMedication Action Common Reasons Prescribed
aspirin antiplatelet HEART ATTACKandSTROKE 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) andPULMONARY 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 duringOPEN 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; blocksVITAMIN K intermittent claudication
SYNTHESIS PVD
atrial fibrillation