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

Category: Anticoagulants

  • Prescription affordability: Assistance Options for Anticoagulants

    Beth Waldron writes (Last updated May 7, 2020) There is help available for many people who can’t afford their anticoagulant (blood thinning) medication. Many pharmaceutical companies provide free or discounted medicines through prescription assistance programs, also called PAPs. Each program is administered by the pharmaceutical company and has its own qualifying criteria. We are unaware…

  • For Health Care Professionals: Preventing Thrombosis in COVID-19 –Anticoagulation Algorithm

    Stephan Moll, MD writes (last updated: Sept 9th, 2020)… Background:  Hospitalized patients with COVID-19 are at increased risk for thrombosis – DVT, PE, and may be pulmonary micro-vascular thrombosis that possibly contributes to respiratory failure; arterial events appear to occur less commonly. Scientific/clinical data on prevalence of thrombosis, best prevention, and optimal therapy are limited.…

  • Coronavirus for patients: Plan your blood thinner medication refills

    Beth Waldron, MA writes….For patients on life-saving therapies like blood thinners (anticoagulants) having several weeks supply of medication on hand during the coronavirus outbreak is important not only to reduce the need to be out in public, but to ensure you have everything you need already at home if you do get sick. However, getting…

  • Antiphospholipid Syndrome: Can the New Oral Anticoagulants Be Used?

    Stephan Moll, MD and Damon Houghton, MD write … In patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) who require anticoagulation for the treatment of DVT or PE, warfarin or a low molecular weight heparin have traditionally been used. A question that comes up is whether one of the new oral anticoagulants (DOACs) can be effectively and safely…

  • NO FDA Approval Yet for Andexanet

    Stephan Moll, MD writes… The FDA did NOT approve Andexanet (brand names: AndexXa™ in the US, IndexXa™ in Europe) in a decision on August 18th, 2016.  Andexanet is the antidote in clinical development to reverse the anticoagulant effect of Eliquis® (rivaroxaban), Savaysa® (edoxaban), Xarelto® (rivaroxaban) and Lovenox® (enoxaparin).  The FDA is said to have requested more information from…

  • Contraceptive Use While on Anticoagulants is Safe

    Stephan Moll, MD writes… Interesting and clinically relevant publication this week [ref 1].  It is well known that estrogens and certain progestin preparations increase the risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE).  A woman on an anticoagulant may have heavy menstrual bleeds and hormonal therapy – such as estrogen-progestin contraceptives – may be considered to decrease the bleeding.…

  • New Comprehensive Clinical Guidance on VTE Treatment

    Stephan Moll, MD writes… A new consensus guidance on management of venous thromboembolism (VTE) – link here – was published today, Jan 18th, 2016, in the Journal of Thrombosis and Thrombolysis.  The publication contains 13 chapters on various aspects of VTE

  • ACCP Guideline for DVT and PE Treatment: New Edition, 2016

    The ACCP Chest Guidelines have been the main guide over the last more than 2 decades for evidence-based recommendations on best management of anticoagulants for various indications, including DVT and PE.  The 10th edition of the chapter on DVT and PE management was published in Jan 2016 [ref 1]. Unfortunately, the guideline is not available for non-subscribers.