What are blood thinners?
These are the medicines that make the blood less likely to form clot. They do not thin the blood, i.e. they do not decrease the viscosity of blood. Hence it is a misnomer. What are the types of blood thinners? Medicines are available to suppress the action of platelets, called as antiplatelets. Two drugs commonly used for this purpose are aspirin and clopidogrel. Another group of medicines suppress the action of clotting factors and are called anticoagulants. Heparin is used intravenously for short term or when a rapid effect is needed. For long term use, the most commonly used drug is coumadin commercially available as Warfarin. Who should take these drugs? Antiplatelets are given for a variety of indications, most commonly to prevent heart attack and stroke. Long term oral anticoagulants are given for one of the following reasons: Prosthetic heart valve Blood clots in the veins/lungs/heart Abnormal heart rhythm that can induce blood clots to form Dilated and poorly pumping heart What
