IV Drug Treatment

• When a blood clot is discovered in a patient's artery or vein the first course of treatment is typically a fast-acting anticoagulant called Heparin. It is typically given via intravenous fluids, but it can also be injected. When patients are given Heparin, they will need to be monitored with regular blood tests to ensure the correct dose has been administered to break up the clot. Dosage levels will be adjusted based on the results of the blood tests. The side effects of Heparin include bleeding, because it is a blood thinner, as well as headaches, upset stomach and a rash.
  
  

Oral Medication

• Patients who are given Heparin will also typically be prescribed Coumadin, another blood-thinning medication, to be taken orally. Coumadin is a brand-name drug that is also available as a generic called warfarin. Coumadin is a long-term treatment drug. Because it can take up to a week for it to begin working in the body, it is first taken along with Heparin injections and then continued, typically for a period of months, to prevent the clot from reforming or new clots from forming. People who have medical condition or genetic disorders that can lead to blood clots may have to take Coumadin as a maintenance drug for life. Similar to Heparin, Coumadin can cause bleeding because it is a blood thinner.
  
  

Prevention

• Patients can adopt lifestyle changes to prevent blood clots from forming. For example, staying active and exercising is a good way to prevent clots from forming. Also, try not to sit or stand in one position for more than an hour without getting up for at least a few minutes to move or walk around. Another way to help prevent blood clots is wearing comfortable, loose-fitting clothing, especially when traveling on a long trip or flight. An exception to this would be when a doctor prescribes compression stockings--a tight-fitting sock worn on the feet and calves--to prevent clots from forming.