Anticoagulants Flashcards
What are the three different types of anticoagulant medications?
Warfarin (Coumadin)
Heparin
Fondaparinux
What effect does Warfarin have on Vitamin K?
Inhibits the enzyme responsible for converting inactive vitamin K to the active form of vitamin K needed in the clotting cascade
What must a doctor do with a patient on Warfarin?
Requires significant monitoring for dosage
What is an interesting adverse effect of warfarin?
Purple toe syndrome (microembolization)
Sometimes painful, blue-tinged discoloration of the plantar surfaces and sides of toes and fades with elevation.
What can happen with Wafarin goes toxic?
Can cause hemorrhage. Can be minor or huge.
What happens if there is a hemorrhage found in a patient taking Warfarin?
Next dosage immediately stopped and phrothrombin time (PT) should be checked
What can be used to counteract the serious bleeding effect?
Vitamin K1
What is considered Category X with Warfarin?
Pregnancy! Can easily cross the placental barrier and cause birth defects and abortions
How is heparin administered?
Parenterally
When is heparin useful?
Works much faster than Warfarin and therefore is good for emergency situations
Does heparin lyse existing clots?
NO, will only prevent further clot formation
What effect does heparin have on platelets?
Can cause thrombocytopenia. Low molecular weight Heparin has a lower rate of thrombocytopenia so it is used if this is a problem
Doe Fondaparinux affect platelet levels?
NO
What are some anti platelet drugs?
Asprin
Plavix
Ticlid
Persantine
What are thrombolytic drugs used for?
To break thrombi (Tissue plasminogen activator)
