Common Anticoagulant Medications

Once a patient is diagnosed with a blood clot, blood thinners, or anticoagulants, are used to reduce the ability of the blood to clot. Depending on the type and location of the blood clot, a person will often be treated with a blood thinner for approximately three to six months, but sometimes the person will need to take the treatment for the rest of their life.

Learn more about long-term management of clotting disorders

The total length of treatment depends on if there is also:

  • A condition that caused the blood clot

  • The severity of the clot

  • The patient’s age

  • A family history

Identified underlying risk factors, such as an abnormality in a coagulation factor, also affect the length of treatment.

The length of blood-thinning therapy is based on clinically proven evidence as well as individual factors. Blood thinners can cause serious bleeding and should only be taken under the direction of a healthcare provider.

COMMON BLOOD THINNER MEDICATIONS

Oral Anticoagulants

  • Warfarin (Jantoven)

  • Dabigatran (Pradaxa)

  • Rivaroxaban (Xarelto)

  • Apixaban (Eliquis)

Learn more about oral anticoagulants

Injectable Anticoagulants

  • Enoxaparin (Lovenox)

  • Dalteparin (Fragmin)

  • Fondaparinux (Arixtra)

Learn more about injectable anticoagulants

Intravenous Anticoagulants

  • Unfractionated heparin (UFH)

  • Argatroban (Acova)

  • Bivalirudin (Angiomax, Angiox)

Learn more about intravenous anticoagulants

Please note that this is not a comprehensive list of all anticoagulants.

Thrombosis Treatment