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Pharmacology

Anticoagulant

A medication that slows blood clotting; commonly called a blood thinner.

Anticoagulants are drugs that interrupt the clotting cascade — examples include warfarin, heparin, and the direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) like apixaban, rivaroxaban, and dabigatran.

What this means for you: any planned surgery requires a clear anticoagulation plan — when to stop, when to bridge, and when to restart. Don't change your dose without your prescribing physician's involvement, and bring your full medication list to every consult.

General information, not medical advice

What a term means for you depends on your own reports. Ask your treating doctor, or send your reports for a free review.

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