Anticoagulant
Anticoagulant is any of a group of drugs that suppress, delay, or prevent clots (masses of blood cells) from forming in the bloodstream. Also known as blood thinners, anticoagulants are used to treat heart , lung , or blood vessel disorders. The drug may be administered for a heart attack, pulmonary embolism (blockage of the artery that feeds the lung), or irregular heartbeat, which may cause harmful clots to form. Patients fitted with artificial heart valves may also be treated with anticoagulants following surgery in order to prevent complications associated with blood flow into and away from the heart. Anticoagulants work by interfering with the action of vitamin K , an essential component in the production of blood clots. Anticoagulants do not dissolve existing clots, which require other forms of treatment. Anticoagulants are prescription drugs available as tablets taken orally, and in a liquid form that is injected into the skin. An initially high dosage (10 to 250 mg per day, de...