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

Scuba Diving While on an Anticoagulant

Stephan Moll, MD writes… Can patients on anticoagulants safely scuba dive? In general: “Yes”. Many people who take anticoagulants are able to safely dive. However, there are a few things to consider:

July 15, 2015
Fascinating New “Anticoagulant”: It Protects from VTE, but Does Not Increase Bleeding

Stephan Moll, MD writes (on Dec 8th, 2014)… A publication this week in the New England Journal of Medicine reports on an investigational drug that protects patients from VTE without increasing the risk of bleeding [reference below]. Too good to be true? Possibly, but may be not. Additional studies will have to tell.

December 9, 2014
Antidotes for the New Oral Anticoagulants: Update

Stephan Moll, MD writes (on Nov 7th, 2014)… A N Engl J Med publication this week [ref 1] reports on a new reversal agent (PER977 = Aripazine = ciraparantag) that may be effective against a number of different new oral anticoagulants.

November 7, 2014
Xarelto Dosing in Obese Patients

Stephan Moll, MD writes… Is there a dose change or limitation for the use of Xarelto® (rivaroxaban) in very obese or underweight patients?

September 10, 2014
Pregnancy, Breastfeeding – Safety of Various Anticoagulants

Stephan Moll, MD writes… LMWH (low molecular weight heparin) is the preferred anticoagulant in the pregnant patient. LMWH and warfarin are safe in the woman who is beast-feeding. Rivaroxaban (Xarelto), dabigatran (Pradaxa) and apixaban (Eliquis) should not be used during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. A detailed summary about the safety of the various anticoagulants during pregnancy…

January 23, 2014
FDA to Review Eliquis (Apixaban) for DVT and PE Treatment

Stephan Moll, MD writes… On Dec 19th the FDA accepted the application by Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) and Pfizer for review of Eliquis (apixaban) for the treatment of DVT and PE. The press release of BMS is here. The goal date for a decision by the FDA is August 25, 2014.

January 6, 2014
Handout for Your Patients in Clinic – Which Anticoagulant to Use for DVT and PE

Stephan Moll, MD writes… Patients who are on warfarin for a history of DVT or PE may inquire whether a switch to one of the new oral anticoagulants is appropriate. Similarly, many physicians initiate this discussion with their patients. This is, obviously, a detailed discussion and an individualized decision with a number of factors to be considered.…

December 19, 2013
Major Bleeding on Dabigatran (Pradaxa) – Interesting Publication

Stephan Moll, MD writes… Interesting publication this week in Circulation: “Management and outcomes of major bleeding during treatment with dabigatran or warfarin” (Majeed A et al; published online Sept 30,2013; full publication is here). The management and prognosis of major bleeding in patients treated with dabigatran or warfarin was compared, pooling data of the major bleeds that occurred in 5 phase III…

October 2, 2013