Prof. from Üsküdar University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Pharmacology. Dr. Güner Ulak gave information about blood thinners and their usage areas.
Stating that blood thinners should not be used without medical supervision, Prof. from Üsküdar University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Pharmacology. Dr. Güner Ulak continued as follows:
“Blood thinners are used in the treatment of diseases that form clots in the body, such as heart attack, stroke, peripheral artery disease, pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, eye artery occlusion, permanent catheter occlusion. Since these drugs disrupt the coagulation system through various mechanisms, their most serious side effect is bleeding. "Because they reduce the blood's ability to clot, they make bleeding easier or harder to stop."
"It can cause osteoporosis"
Prof. also explained that anticoagulant (blood thinning) drugs are drugs that prevent the formation of new clots and the growth of the existing clot by reducing the effect of clotting factors. Dr. Güner Ulak said that heparin, a natural anticoagulant, is used once or twice a day by subcutaneous injection, and its most important side effect is bleeding.
Stating that this risk will be reduced by carefully selecting the patient, carefully controlling the dose and monitoring it closely, Prof. Dr. Güner Ulak explained that elderly women and patients with kidney failure are more prone to bleeding, that it should be used with caution in patients with allergies since it is of animal origin, that it may increase hair loss, and that long-term heparin treatment may cause osteoporosis.
"Should not be used during pregnancy"
Prof. Dr. noted that coumarin group anticoagulants act by disrupting the synthesis of clotting factors in the liver and are used more frequently because they can be taken orally and are cheaper. Dr. Güner Ulak stated that it should not be used during pregnancy.
Prof. also gave information about oral direct factor XA inhibitors. Dr. Güner Ulak stated that they are used in fixed doses, do not need to be monitored, their effects begin quickly and their half-life is short.
Prof. also gave information about blood thinners used intravenously or intramuscularly. Dr. Güner Ulak also said that its effect started and ended quickly.