Blood Thinners: Uses, Side Effects, and Drug Interactions

September 1, 2022

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Blood thinners keep clots from forming, cutting off blood flow to the heart. Learn how they operate, their side effects, and what natural remedies are available. Blood clots can obstruct blood flow to the heart, lungs, or brain. As a result, they can cause a heart attack or stroke.

If you have heart disease, your doctor may advise you to take a blood thinner. Blood thinners should be taken exactly as prescribed. The medication will be less effective if you do not take enough. Excessive consumption can result in severe bleeding.

What is the purpose of a blood thinner?

Some blood thinners thin the blood to prevent blood cells from adhering together in veins and arteries. Others prevent blood clots by increasing the time it takes for clots to form. These are antiplatelet and anticoagulant medications, respectively.

Antiplatelet medications keep blood cells (known as platelets) from clumping together and forming clots. Antiplatelet drugs include the following:

Aspirin
Clopidogrel (Plavix)
Dipyridamole (Persantine)
Ticlopidine (Ticlid)

People with certain types of heart disease are frequently prescribed anticoagulants by their doctors. The medical term “coagulate” means “to clot.” These blood thinners work by lengthening the time it takes for your blood to clot.

Anticoagulants work by preventing the formation of clots. Blood thinners that are commonly used as anticoagulants include:

Warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven)
Enoxaparin (Lovenox)
Heparin

Newer anticoagulants with lower bleeding risks include:

Dabigatran (Pradaxa)
Apixaban (Eliquis)
Rivaroxaban (Xarelto)

Your doctor will closely monitor your blood-thinning medication dosage. For some medications, they may perform a prothrombin time (PT) test. This blood test will determine your international normalized ratio (INR). The INR measures how quickly your blood clots. The appropriate INR rate differs from individual to individual based on their medical history. Staying within your INR range can help you avoid excessive bleeding or clotting.

Side effects of blood thinners

Some people may experience side effects from blood thinners. The most common reaction is excessive bleeding. It can happen in several ways, including:

Heavy periods
Bloody or discoloured urine or faeces
Nosebleeds
Bleeding gums
Prolonged bleeding from a cut

Blood thinners in your body can increase the likelihood of internal bleeding following an injury. Even if you don’t have external bleeding, go to the hospital immediately if you encounter any side effects after falling or bumping your head.

To reduce the risk of bleeding, your doctor may advise you to restrict your participation in contact sports. However, this does not preclude the reader from exercising or leading an everyday life. Swimming, walking, and jogging are all excellent forms of exercise safe for most anticoagulant users. Consult your doctor about the best types of exercise for you.

Drug interactions

Various foods, herbs, and medications can interfere with blood thinners. As a result, these substances can create more or less effective drugs than the recommended dosage. The same substances, however, do not affect all blood thinners. Therefore, it’s critical to talk to your doctor or cardiologist about your diet and how it may affect the efficacy of your medication.

Vitamin K

Some anticoagulants, such as warfarin, can be made less effective by vitamin K. Depending on your medication, you may be able to consume foods containing low to moderate levels of vitamin K. You should, however, avoid eating foods that have moderate to high levels of vitamin K. These are some examples:

Cabbage
Brussels sprouts
Broccoli
Asparagus
Endive
Kale
Lettuce
Spinach
Mustard greens
Turnip greens
Collard greens

Herbs

Anticoagulant medication users should exercise caution when using herbal supplements and teas. Several herbs intrude with blood thinners’ anti clotting abilities. They may also increase the likelihood and duration of your bleeding.

Consider discussing with your healthcare provider before using any of the supplement herbs, especially:

Chamomile
Echinacea
Clove
Evening primrose oil
Dong Quai
Liquorice
Ginseng
Gingko biloba
Goldenseal
Willow bark

When taking blood thinners, alcoholic beverages and cranberry juice can be harmful. As much as possible, avoid these items.

Medications

When using blood thinners, use caution with prescription and over-the-counter medications. Antibiotics, antifungal medications, pain relievers, and acid reducers can all increase your risk of bleeding. Other medications, such as birth control pills, can reduce the effectiveness of anticoagulants and increase your chances of developing a blood clot. Make sure your doctor is aware of all medications you are taking.

Natural blood thinners

Certain foods and herbs contain natural anticoagulants that can help prevent blood clots. However, if you’re on a blood-thinning medication, consult your doctor before eating these foods because they may cause your blood to thin too much.

Natural anticoagulants include the following:

Garlic
Ginger
Celery seed
Aniseed

Vitamin E-rich foods are also natural blood thinners. Vitamin E is found in various oils, including olive, corn, soybean, and wheat germ. Other vitamin E-rich foods include: