You will only be offered medication if the benefits to your health outweigh the risks. You will be assessed to work out which treatment is right for you.
What are the benefits of blood-thinning medication?
Taking blood-thinning medication is often one of the main ways you can reduce your risk of a stroke if you have had a stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA or mini-stroke), or have a heart condition. By reducing the risk of clots forming, they give you a much greater chance of recovering and staying healthy after a stroke.
What are the risks of blood-thinning medication?
Blood-thinning medications carry an increased risk of bleeding. This can be mild, such as small cuts or injuries taking slightly longer than usual to heal. There is also a small chance of more serious bleeding, such as bleeding in the brain (haemorrhagic stroke).
If you have had a haemorrhagic stroke while taking blood-thinning medication, doctors will assess you. They will help you decide if you should stop taking the medication, or change to a different type, and whether there are any other options to reduce you ischaemic stroke risk.
Blood-thinners and other medications
Some other medications can affect the way blood-thinning medications work. This can put you at greater risk of a stroke or excessive bleeding. These include some types of:
- Antibiotics.
- Antidepressants.
- Steroids.
- Epilepsy drugs.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen.
- Some supplements and herbal medicines, such as St John’s Wort and Chinese medicine.
Using cannabis may also affect how blood-thinning medications work.
If you’re taking blood-thinning medication, it’s important to talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any other prescription medications, over-the-counter medicines such as painkillers, or supplements.
Always read the patient information leaflet which comes with your medication and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Getting support with blood-thinning medication
It can sometimes take a while to adjust to taking a long-term medication. You will have regular checks while taking blood-thinning medication. You might need to try different doses or new types of medication before finding what’s right for you.
Your pharmacist can give you practical tips for taking tablets and advice about side effects.
In England, you can join the New Medicines Service (NMS) This gives you three appointments with your pharmacist to help you get started with a new medication. Ask your pharmacist to sign up.
Before any dental treatment or surgical procedure, tell your dentist or doctor you’re taking blood-thinning medication. You might need to stop taking it before the procedure, but only with medical advice. You may need an alternative medication such as heparin for a short time, or to have a blood test before the procedure.
If you need an emergency operation while taking warfarin, you may need treatment to reverse the effects of warfarin.
You should be given an anticoagulant alert card to carry in case you need emergency medical treatment. Always keep this with you. You can show it to healthcare professionals, so they know what medication you’re on.
Heavy periods and vaginal bleeding
Some women find blood-thinning medication can give them heavy periods or vaginal bleeding between periods. Trans men who have periods might also have vaginal bleeding or heavy periods.
A heavy period could mean bleeding more heavily or for much longer than usual. You might need to change a pad or tampon every hour or two, leak blood or pass blood clots.
How can heavy periods be managed?
Heavy periods can lead to low iron levels in your blood (anaemia). This needs to be treated with medication and sometimes blood transfusions. If your bleeding suddenly becomes much heavier, get medical help as soon as possible.
Your doctor can discuss options for managing heavy periods with you. This might include:
- Prescribing you a different blood-thinning medication.
- Prescribing additional tablets to take during your period to reduce blood loss.
- Prescribing hormonal therapy to help regulate your periods.
- Fitting an intra-uterine device (coil).
Blood-thinning medication can make you more prone to bleeding if you injure yourself. It can help to take steps to avoid minor injuries and cuts where possible, for example:
- Wearing gloves while using sharp objects like gardening tools.
- Wearing a helmet if you’re cycling.
- Using an electric shaver rather than wet shaving.
- Getting advice from your dentist on a suitable toothbrush and brushing techniques.
See your doctor if you’re worried about any bleeding. If you have any serious side effects, always seek urgent medical attention.
Guidelines state that people who have had a stroke or TIA, or who are taking blood-thinning medication, are not eligible to donate blood. For more information, call NHS Blood and Transplant on 0300 123 23 23.
