Antiplatelet & Anticoagulant Differences

Antiplatelets and anticoagulates are blood-thinning drugs that prevent blood clots in the heart, arteries and veins. Although clotting of the blood prevents excessive bleeding when you get cut or injured, excessive clotting is dangerous and can cause heart attacks and strokes. Patients at high risk for developing life-threatening clots typically receive antiplatelets and anticoagulates. These drugs are similar in regard to purpose, but they also have differences.

Purposes

• Anticoagulates such as heparin or warfarin, are most effective for conditions involving venous clots. Venous clots result when an excessive amount of fibrin, a protein that causes blood clotting, develops in blood. An anticoagulant dissolves venous clots by disrupting the development of fibrin, thereby it is the best drug choice for conditions such as deep-vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism. In contrast, antiplatelets are not generally suitable for treating venous clots and are most effective for preventing artery clots. Platelets in the blood join together when damage, such as cuts, bruises or internal injuries occurs. Platelets also combine--sometimes too rapidly-- when the arteries are inflamed, causing a block in an artery wall. Antiplatelet drugs such as aspirin, prevent platelets from forming and are usually prescribed when clots are artery-based.

Interactions

• Anitcoagulants and antiplatelets have interaction differences. Other drugs, food and vitamins, especially Vitamin K, can alter anticoagulant effects. An anticoagulant's effectiveness greatly depends on steady levels of Vitamin K in the body. Accordingly, patients taking these types of blood thinners must follow strict dietary guidelines, including limiting vegetables high in Vitamin K, to ensure that interaction risks are reduced. Antiplatelets are also subject to interactions, but they generally are not affected by dietary factors.

Other Differences

• While antiplatelets target the production of thromboxane, the substance secreted by platelets that causes blood clotting, anticoagulants attack clotting factors. These are any other agents that contribute to blood clots. Anticoagulants are generally stronger and more combative than antiplatelets. Accordingly, they tend to cause more serious side effects and are generally only recommended for patients with a high risk for stroke or atrial fibrillation, a heart disorder. Also, some antiplatelets are available for over-the-counter purchase, whereas anticoagulants are strictly available through a prescription, making them more expensive to obtain.