Anticoagulants Definition

Coagulation factors in the blood are used to clot the blood so excessive bleeding does not affect the patient. If clotting factors were not a part of the blood, bleeding would continue and patients would bleed to death. Clotting factors clog the area of damage and allows white blood cells to fight infection. Some blood disorders cause patients to have excessive clotting, which can be dangerous. These clotting factors can break off and cause stroke or blood vessel blockage. For these patients, anticoagulants are prescribed to stop clotting.

Coagulation

• Coagulation is a natural process of the body. Coagulation factors are provided by platelets in the blood. The process in which the body stops clotting is called hemostasis. First, the body reduces blood flow to the area. In the next step, the body uses chemical processes to clot the blood. The chemical process used in clotting is called thrombus. The chemicals involved in clotting is comprised of several different types.

Endogenous Anticoagulants

• Anticoagulant chemicals are located in the blood naturally. These anticoagulants are used to keep the body from clotting the blood during normal circulation. Antithrombin is the main chemical used in the vessels. This is especially useful in veins and keeps blood from coagulating when there is no damage. Other factors that are naturally circulating in the body are thrombomodulin and protein C. These substances inhibit the enzymes responsible for clotting.

Heparin

• Heparin is one of the most powerful drugs on the market as an anticoagulant. This drug is used in situations where surgery has been performed and thrombosis is a risk factor. Heparin is also used during medical procedures like dialysis. Heparin is a naturally occurring chemical that is released by mast cells to help the white blood cells enter the vessels. These cells are responsible for protection against disease and infection.

Coumarin

• Coumarin drugs are oral pills taken by patients who have chronic coagulation health issues. Warfarin is a name brand coumarin drug therapy used in hospital settings and for long-term treatment prescribed by doctors. Coumarin drugs are inhibitors of Vitamin K. Vitamin K is a precursor to thrombin, so inhibiting its effects limit the amount of coagulation factors in the blood. Coumarin drugs may interact with other therapeutic chemicals, so doctors are careful to prescribe these drugs only when other drugs do not affect the interaction with the body.

Anisindione

• Anisindione is an alternative to coumarins. Some patients have sensitivities to these drugs, so coumarins are a better choice for therapy. These chemicals mainly follow the same action as coumarins. They inhibit the action of Vitamin K, so the body does not have the strong coagulation reactions.