What is the difference between blood thinners and anticoagulants

You have successfully subscribed to our newsletter. Related Articles. The Big 6 Heart Medications. Is Heart Failure Causing Fatigue? Trending Topics. What Parents Need to Know. Share this article via email with one or more people using the form below. Send me expert insights each week in Health Essentials News. Blood thinners or anticoagulants are medications that prevent blood clots from forming. You may be prescribed a blood thinner for various reasons.

These include:. There are several different anticoagulants. Your specific health condition determines which anticoagulant your doctor will prescribe. Not all blood thinners require a blood test. One medication, Warfarin brand names Coumadin and Jantoven will require you to regularly get a blood test called an INR. An INR measures how long it takes for your blood to clot. Blood clots are usually good, such as when you get a scrape or cut.

Since A-Fib increases your risk of clots and stroke, blood thinners are prescribed to prevent or break up blood clots in your heart and blood vessels and thereby reduce your chance of an A-Fib-related stroke.

Anticoagulant Warfarin. There are two main types of blood thinners: anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents. They work differently to accomplish the same end effect. Anticoagulants work chemically to lengthen the time it takes to form a blood clot. Antiplatelet Aspirin.

Antiplatelets prevent blood cells platelets from clumping together to form a clot. Common antiplatelet medications include aspirin, ticlopidine Ticlid and clopidogrel Plavix. When you take a blood thinner, follow directions carefully.

Blood thinners may interact with certain foods, medicines, vitamins, and alcohol. Make sure that your health care provider knows all of the medicines and supplements you are using. You will probably need regular blood tests to check how well your blood is clotting. It is important to make sure that you're taking enough medicine to prevent clots, but not so much that it causes bleeding.

The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.