About this topic
You are on a drug that keeps your blood from clotting normally to prevent blood clots. It may also keep clots you already have from getting bigger and moving to some other part of your body. While you are on this drug you will need to take extra care to keep yourself safe. If you start to bleed, it can be very serious. You should get help right away to stop the bleeding as soon as possible. ‚
Blood thinner drugs are also called anticoagulants. Some people take blood thinners as a pill. Others take a shot. You may be on blood thinners because you have: ‚
- An abnormal heart rhythm like atrial fibrillation
- Had a heart attack or stroke
- Had a heart defect since you were born
- Had heart valve surgery
- A blood clot somewhere in your body like your leg or lung
- A stent in your heart or brain
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you understand everything the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Take extra care with all of your drugs.
- Tell ALL your doctors, dentists, nurses, and pharmacists that you are taking a blood-thinning drug. Carry a card in your wallet or wear a MedicAlert bracelet or necklace. This will help others know to not order a drug that interacts or adds to the blood-thinning drug you are taking.
- Talk with your doctor before you take drugs like Celebrex, naproxen, Aleve, Naprosyn, or ibuprofen, Advil, or Motrin.
- Talk to your doctor before you take any new drugs, over the counter medicines, vitamins, or supplements.
- Take your blood thinner exactly as ordered.
- Your doctor will order an exact amount of the blood thinner drug for you. You need to know how much you are supposed to take each day and take it at the same time each day.
- Do not skip doses or stop taking this drug without talking to your doctor.
- Do not double the dose if you miss a dose.
- Learn how to give yourself a shot if the doctor has ordered the blood thinner in the shot form. You may want your caregiver to learn how to give you a shot instead. Ask about home health nurses to help you with the shots.
- Protect yourself from bruising and bleeding.
- Avoid activities or places where you could be bruised, cut, hurt, or fall.
- Protect your hands from cuts. Take extra care when using knives or tools. Wear gloves when you work in the garden or around the house.
- Use electric razors when shaving. Avoid using scissors and nail clippers.
- Brush your teeth gently. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles. This will help to avoid bleeding from your gums.
- Wear shoes or slippers on your feet at all times.
- Blow your nose gently.
- Use a stool softener so you will not have to strain with bowel movements. Do not use an enema or suppositories.
- If you start to bleed:
- Apply pressure to the area until the bleeding stops. This will take several minutes longer than usual because of the blood-thinning drug. Ice may also help. You may need to call for emergency help or go to the nearest emergency room.
- For a nose bleed, put pressure and ice on the bridge of your nose. If the bleeding does not stop in 5 to 10 minutes or the bleeding is very heavy, go to the nearest emergency room.
What follow-up care is needed?
- You will likely need to have lab tests done to make sure your blood is clotting the right way. These tests are very important to help the doctor make sure you are taking the right dose of your blood thinner drug.
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
Will physical activity be limited?
- You may have to limit your activity. Talk with your doctor about what activities are best for you. Ask if it is safe for you to exercise, play sports, or have sex.
- Avoid activities that can cause bruising and bleeding. Avoid climbing on ladders.
- Ask your doctor about driving.
What changes to diet are needed?
If you are taking the blood thinner Coumadin or Warfarin, you need to keep the amount of vitamin K you take in your diet each day consistent. This will help keep the drug in a good range. Then, it will work the right way and not cause problems. This means you may need to make changes to your diet. Talk to your doctor or a dietitian. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Too much bleeding
- Blood clots form
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Tell your doctor about any falls or blows to the head, even if you feel fine. Go to the emergency room to be checked if you are not able to reach your doctor.
- If your vomit is bloody or looks like coffee grounds, go to the emergency room if you cant reach your doctor.
- Cuts or wounds with bleeding that cannot be controlled with pressure
- Bruising more easily than usual
- Gums won't stop bleeding with each brushing
- Pink or reddish-brown color in the urine
- Bowel movements that are red or black like tar or blood in the toilet
- Nose bleeds that won't stop with pressure put on the nose
- Confusion, feeling dizzy or faint, unusual headaches
- If you notice broken blood vessels in the white of the eye
- Coughing up blood
- For females, heavier than normal menstrual cycle
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you how I will take blood thinners and what I will do to protect myself from bleeding.
- I can tell you what changes I need to make with my diet or activities.
- I can tell you what I will do if I fall, have bleeding that will not stop, or have too much bruising.
Where can I learn more?
American Heart Association ‚
http://www.heart.org/idc/groups/heart-public/@wcm/@hcm/documents/downloadable/ucm_300338.pdf ‚
http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/119/8/e220.full ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚