heparin
plavix
aspirin
lovenox
coumadin
Responses (3)
It would most likely be for the prevention of blood clots. It could be following a stroke, heart attack, there are all kinds of potential scenarios where blood thinning medications would be used. Those are all blood thinners or meds to dissolve a clot (as with heparin). Hope that helps.
All of these medications are dissimilar in physical, chemical, and biological properties, thus affecting different pathways of action. In many situations combination therapy has an overall better therapeutic effect and have been shown to have less side effects because the dose is a lot smaller in polypharmacy.
For every individual case, the Dr has to balance the risk of clotting with the risk of bleeding. If you're worried about being on combination therapy, please seek a second opinion! Perhaps my story can shed some light. I am a healthy 5'6", 125 lb, active, non-smoker. I am 41 and had a large DVT this summer (from right calf to inferior vena cava in abdomen!) following a 12 hour car ride during which I did not stop often enough. I am currently on plavix, aspirin, and coumadin (and took Lovenox for 16 days in the hospital). The cardiologist explained to me that, as someone else mentioned, each medication acts on different components of coagulation. That said, it's not typical to be on combination therapy after a single event or if you do not test positive for genetic thrombolytic factors (due to increased risk of internal bleeding), so I should mention that this is my second event. I had a PE in '01 after starting on BCP. After that event I was coumadin for 6 mos (and Lovenox for 7 days in the hospital). Because I've had 2 events, I will be on the combination therapy for 3 - 6 mos and coumadin for life (coumadin for life is "standard of care" for anyone who has has more than one thrombolytic event). I should mention that I did NOT test positive for any genetic thrombolytic factors. The cardiologist explained that additional genetic factors likely exist but are currently unknown - and I probably have one of them because I've had 2 events and am otherwise healthy. Nevertheless, I am concerned about the increased risk for bleeding and have an appointment scheduled with a hematologist for a second opinion. Better safe than sorry. Hope this helps.
