A Clearinghouse for Information about Blood Clots (DVT/)PE) and Clotting Disorders (thrombophilia) provided as a public service by the University of North Carolina Blood Research Center

Author: Stephan Moll

  • Alcohol and Blood Thinners (Warfarin, Pradaxa)

    A patient may ask: “I am on warfarin (Coumadin®, Jantoven®).  Is it o.k. for me to drink alcohol?  Does alcohol intake increase the INR?” Does drinking alcohol change the INR in the patient on warfarin?

  • Plant Estrogens (Phytoestrogens)

    Phytoestrogens (plant estrogen preparations) are sometimes used in the attempt to improve perimenopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness or mood swings.  They are plant-derived estrogens, chemically similar (even though distincly different) to human and animal estrogens

  • Blue Feet (Acrocyanosis)

    A 34-year-old woman presents with worsening painless reddish-purple discoloration of both feet.  Symptoms started one year ago when she noticed that the creases of her toes were somewhat more purplish discolored.

  • Blood or Organ Donation: Being on Blood Thinners or Having a Thrombophilia

     “I am on warfarin (Coumadin®).  Can I donate blood?”  No.  A person on a blood thinner (anticoagulant), like warfarin, will not be accepted as a blood donor

  • Hip and Knee Replacement – DVT Prevention – New Guideline

    Two main guidelines exist which many physicians go by to decide whether a particular patient should get DVT prophylaxis after hip or knee replacement surgery, what method (compression device, or drug) to use, and for how long to give prophylaxis.  (a) One is the ACCP guideline (American College of Chest Physicians), last published in June 2008 [ref…

  • Yasmin, Yaz, Angeliq and Risk for Blood Clots

    Birth control pills, patches and rings typically contain an estrogen and a progestin component.  It has long been known that estrogen-containing birth control preparations (pill, patch, ring) increase the risk for blood clots (DVT, PE).  This risk is partially due to the estrogen.  However, part of the risk for clots is also due to the…

  • Arixtra (Fondaparinux), Generic

    “Is generic Arixtra as safe and effective as brand Arixtra?” a patient asks.  Answer: Yes. Generic fondaparinux made by Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd. was approved by the FDA on July 11, 2011

  • Nattokinase

    Nattokinase is a soybean food content, produced by the bacterium Bacillus subtilis (natto) during fermentation of soybeans. It is a 275 amino acid peptide. It is also called “Subtilisin NAT” [ref 1]. It is claimed to have clot-dissolving abilities, similar to plasmin.