Blood thinners are drugs that prevent blood clots from forming because they block the action of substances that cause clotting. Clots are critical to healing wounds and stopping bleeding, but there are situations where they can interfere with blood flow, causing serious diseases such as stroke, thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, for example.
Thus, blood thinners allow blood to always remain liquid in the vessels and circulate freely, being recommended for people who have suffered from diseases caused by clots or who are at increased risk of developing them.
- The most commonly used are heparin.
- Warfarin and rivaroxaban.
- Which should be used with care and always under medical supervision.
- As improper use can cause severe bleeding.
Blood thinners should be used by people who have an increased risk of developing thrombus, such as those with cardiac arrhythmia or who use heart valve prostheses. They are also used to eliminate an already formed thrombus, such as in people with thrombosis, pulmonary embolism or infarction.
Recently, an anticoagulant, called heparin, has been used to control thromboembolic complications in some patients with COVID-19.
Heparin, although it has not helped to eliminate the new coronavirus from the body, has had promising results in controlling thrombolic episodes, such as stroke, pulmonary embolism and disseminated intravascular coagulation, which have appeared in some patients infected with the new coronavirus, which are linked to exacerbation of the immune response. Understand, in more detail, the relationship between these diseases.
Blood thinners can be divided according to the route of administration and their form of action:
The choice of the best pill for blood control and the respective dose should be determined by the doctor, depending on the severity of the problem, the history of the disease and the response of the body of each person.
There are different types of oral blood thinners, and your choice will depend on your doctor’s evaluation of each person’s pros and cons:
Warfarin (Marevan, Coumadin);
Amenocumarol (Sintrom).
– Widely used;
– Cheaper;
– Allow better monitoring of coagulation through examinations
– Need for periodic coagulation controls;
– Doses should be changed frequently,
– Its effect may be altered by other drugs or foods rich in vitamin K.
Rivaroxaban (Xarelto);
Dabigatran (Pradaxa);
Apixabana (Eliquis).
– No periodic coagulation check is necessary;
– Unique daily doses;
– May have fewer side effects.
– More expensive;
– Contrasted in several diseases;
– They have no antidotes.
For vitamin K inhibitors, clotting control should normally be done once a month or according to medical advice.
There are certain plant substances, commonly known as “thinning” the blood and reducing the risk of clots, such as Ginkgo biloba or Dong Wharf, for example.
These plants can be used in infusions or ingested in capsules, which are sold in health food stores. However, its use should not replace medications prescribed by your doctor and should not be used in combination with other blood thinners.
In addition, they should only be taken after the doctor’s knowledge, as they may interfere with the action of other medicines and, like other medicines, these herbal medications should be discontinued during the preoperative period of any surgical procedure.
During treatment with blood thinners, it is important to
Some vitamin K-rich foods reduce the action of certain blood thinners, such as warfarin, and precautions should be taken in their consumption. However, as the dose of anticoagulant is adjustable to the needs of each person, it is not necessary to stop the consumption of all these foods, but to avoid a sudden change of diet, keeping a constant amount in the diet.
Examples of these foods are dark green leafy vegetables, such as spinach, kale, lettuce, as well as cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower, for example. See the full list of vitamin K-rich foods.
It is common for some people to use medicinal plants or home remedies without medical advice on a daily basis because they think they are natural and not harmful. However, some of them may interact, usually intensifying, the effect of anticoagulants, resulting in a risk of bleeding, putting the person’s life at risk.
For example, people who use anticoagulant or anti-agregate medications should take special care when taking home remedies or dietary supplements made with:
Because of this type of interaction between medications and natural remedies, it is important to take the medication only after the doctor’s indication or approval.