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: Blood thinners (anticoagulants)

  • Pradaxa: Interruption for Colonoscopies, Dental Procedures, Surgery, etc.

    When to stop the drug – General comments The patient on Pradaxa® (Dabigatran) may need interruption of therapy for dental work, a medical procedure such as colonoscopy, or minor or major surgical procedure. As to when exactly to take the last dose of Pradaxa® before the procedure depends on (a) what type of procedure is…

  • Pradaxa – Interruption for Colonoscopy, Dental Work, Surgery, etc.

    When to stop the drug – General comments If you are on Pradaxa® (Dabigatran) you may need interruption of therapy for dental work, a medical procedure such as colonoscopy, or minor or major surgical procedure. As to when exactly to take the last dose of Pradaxa® before the procedure depends on (a) how big a…

  • DVT and PE: How Long to Treat with “Blood Thinners”

    What Kind of Clot did You Have? If you have had a blood clot in your legs or your lung (pulmonary embolism=PE), you will wonder how long you should stay on a “blood thinner”. The decision depends on a number of factors which will be discussed below.

  • Warfarin-Induced Skin Necrosis

    How common is it? Warfarin-induced skin necrosis is a rare complication of warfarin (coumadin®, Jantoven®) therapy. It occurs in approximately 1 of 10,000 patients treated with warfarin. What is it? Patients with warfarin-induced skin necrosis develop very painful skin areas, most commonly in the breasts,

  • Warfarin-Induced Skin Necrosis

    How common is it? Warfarin-induced skin necrosis is a rare complication of warfarin (coumadin®, Jantoven®) therapy. It occurs in approximately 1 of 10,000 patients treated with warfarin. What is it? “Necrosis” means “dead tissue”. Patients with warfarin-induced skin necrosis develop very painful skin areas, most commonly in the breasts, next commonly in buttocks, thighs and…

  • Purple Toe Syndrome

    Warfarin can, in rare instances, cause violaceous painful discoloration of the toes and the sides of the feet, referred to as the “purple toe syndrome” 1 – see photograph below. Occasionally, the hands can also be involved and a net-like skin rash on abdomen and legs (= livedo reticularis) can occur. This typically happens within the…

  • Purple Toe Syndrome

    Warfarin can, in rare instances, cause violaceous painful discoloration of the toes and the sides of the feet, referred to as the “purple toe syndrome” 1 – see photograph below. Occasionally, the hands can also be involved and a net-like skin rash on abdomen and legs (= livedo reticularis) can occur. This typically happens within the…

  • Low Molecular Weight Heparins – Osteoporosis?

    Occasionally, a patient is treated with long-term low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) (enoxaparin = Lovenox®; Dalteparin = Fragmin®; Tinzaparin = Innohep®) for months or years. LMWH may be given because the patient (a) tolerated warfarin poorly (widely fluctuating INRs; significant side-effects, such as marked hair loss or fatigue), (b) had a recurrent clot which occured on warfarin with…