Deep vein thrombosis: Taking anticoagulants safely

What are anticoagulants?

Anticoagulants are medications that help prevent abnormal blood clotting. They work by increasing the time it takes a blood clot to form. Normally, when an injury that causes bleeding occurs, the body sends out signals that cause the blood to clot at the wound, and the clot naturally breaks down as the wound heals. A person prone to abnormal clotting has an imbalance between clot formation and clot breakdown. Anticoagulant medications prevent new clots from forming and prevent existing clots from growing (extending) by stopping the production of certain proteins that are needed for blood to clot. However, they do not break up or dissolve existing blood clots.

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Author:	Robin Parks, MS	Last Updated: January 15, 2008
Medical Review:	E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine Jeffrey J. Gilbertson, MD - Cardiovascular Surgery
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