Anticoagulant medication
Anticoagulant Medication
Anticoagulant medication (pronunciation: an-tee-ko-AG-yuh-luhnt med-i-KAY-shuhn) is a type of drug that prevents blood clots from forming or growing larger in your blood vessels or heart.
Etymology
The term "anticoagulant" comes from the Latin words "anti" meaning against, and "coagulare" meaning to cause to clot. The term "medication" is derived from the Latin "medicatio" meaning healing.
Types of Anticoagulant Medication
There are several types of anticoagulant medications, including:
- Warfarin: This is a commonly used anticoagulant. It is often prescribed for patients with atrial fibrillation or those who have had a heart valve replacement.
- Heparin: This is often used in hospitals to prevent blood clots in patients who are bedridden or who have had surgery.
- Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs): These are a newer type of anticoagulant. They include drugs like Rivaroxaban, Apixaban, and Dabigatran.
Side Effects
Like all medications, anticoagulants can have side effects. These can include bleeding, bruising, and, in rare cases, hemorrhage.
Related Terms
- Thrombosis: The formation of a blood clot inside a blood vessel, obstructing the flow of blood.
- Embolism: A condition where a blood clot travels through the bloodstream and lodges in a blood vessel.
- Hemostasis: The process of stopping bleeding.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Anticoagulant medication
- Wikipedia's article - Anticoagulant medication
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