Blood Thinners Side Effects

Blood thinners are commonly used to treat patients who are at a higher risk of having strokes. Blood thinners are especially given to patients who have already suffered a stroke and are at an increased rate of having a second one. Physicians may also prescribe blood thinners to those patients who do not have any history of strokes, but still are at the risk of getting one. Blood thinners are also recommended to patients who have congenital heart defects, have had heart valve surgery, or have an abnormal heart rhythm called ‘atrial fibrillation’. Blood thinners work by reducing the formation of blood clots in the arteries and veins. If you are taking blood thinners, make sure your physician is aware of all the other medications you are taking and follow the dosage carefully. Although blood thinners are commonly used for treatment, there can be some side effects if you have been taking blood thinners for a long time. If you notice any such signs, consult your physician as soon as possible to avoid other complications. Keep reading to know more.

• People taking certain blood thinners like ‘aggrenox’ often complain of headaches, diarrhea, indigestion, and abdominal pain. If you notice black or tarry stools, it could be a sign of abdominal bleeding. In such cases, consult your physician straight away.
• Aspirin, a commonly used blood thinner, can also have several side effects. The most common side effects are nausea, vomiting, and indigestion. Some people may have black or tarry stool as a side effect of having consumed aspirin. Difficulty in breathing is another side effect of aspirin. If you develop any of these symptoms rush to your doctor without delay.
• Heparin is another common blood thinner that is used to prevent blood clot formation. The main side effects of heparin are bleeding and easy bruising. Heparin is usually given intravenously and patients may develop irritation at the site of the injection. A few people may also develop allergic reactions to heparin.
• If you have been on heparin treatment for long, you can be at a high risk of abnormal bleeding. Watch out for black stools or altered urine color. If you notice any of these signs, consult your physician quickly.
• If you are on ‘plavix’, a common blood thinner, you may notice side effects like stomach pain, dizziness, headaches, and muscle aches. If any of these signs show up, visit your general practitioner at the earliest.
• Certain blood thinners, for example ‘lovenox’, should be avoided by patients suffering from chronic kidney diseases. The drug gets accumulated in the blood if the kidney function is poor. The most common side effect of this drug is skin irritation at the site of the injection. In only a few cases, people might develop an allergic reaction such as a rash. However, in severe cases of allergic reactions, swelling on the hands and lips can be noticed along with difficulty in breathing. If you notice any of these symptoms, rush to your doctor immediately.
• Another commonly used blood thinner medication is ‘coumadin’ or ‘warfarin’ which is prescribed to patients suffering from atrial fibrillation or who have mechanical heart valves. Coumadin may cause serious bleeding as a side effect. If you are on this drug, watch out for abnormal bleeding in the eye or dark stools. Consult your physician if you notice any of these side effects.