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

  • Arixtra (Fondaparinux), Generic

    “Is the generic version of Arixtra as safe and effective as brand Arixtra?”  Answer: “Yes”. The FDA evaluated and approved generic fondaparinux made by Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd. on July 11, 2011

  • Apixaban (Eliquis) News – Plus Update On The Big Four New Oral Anticoagulants

    There is a lot of appropriate interest and excitement today about one of the four new oral anticoagulants in development – Apixaban (Eliquis). Data from the large ARISTOTLE trial were published today in the NEJM, showing that in patients with atrial fibrillation Apixaban was more effective in preventing stroke and systemic thromboembolism, caused less major bleeding, and resulted…

  • Tattoos on Anticoagulants

    At times, patients on anticoagulants are considering getting a tattoo.  I am not aware of any medical publication assessing the amount of bleeding with tattooing on warfarin or other anticoagulants.

  • Prescription Assistance: When Patients Can’t Afford a Medication

    Beth Waldron, Program Director of the Clot Connect project, writes…. While the cost of some outpatient anticoagulation therapies can be substantial, failure to take an anticoagulant medication as prescribed can have serious, even deadly, consequences.   Links to resources which may help patients when they are prescribed an anticoagulant that they cannot afford is available in this article.…

  • LMWH Injections – Making it Easier: Insuflon Ports

    Once or twice daily injections of s.c. anticoagulants for prolonged periods of time can be bothersome and unacceptable for the patient. Use of a once weekly exchanged s.c. port, called Insuflon, can make longer-term s.c. anticoagulant therapy easier and more tolerable.

  • Apixaban (Eliquis): Good News

    Eliquis (Apixaban) is one of the 4 promising new oral anticoagulants that (a) do not require routine monitoring of its anticoagulant effect and (b) work independently of the vitamin K pathway.

  • Starting Pradaxa – Checklist

    What topics need to be discussed with the patient who wants to start Pradaxa (Dabigatran)? A structured, bulleted checklist may be helpful in your discussion with the patient, to make sure all relevant points are addressed. A suggested list is here.

  • Pregnancy Loss and Thrombophilia

    How common is pregnancy loss? What are the causes? Pregnancy loss  in the general population is common. Most losses occur in the first trimester. As many as 5 % of women have 2 or more early losses; 1-2 % have 3 or more early losses [ref 1]. Well established risk factors for pregnancy loss are:…