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In this article:
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Blood thinners are used to prevent strokes and heart attack.
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These medications can cause gastrointestinal bleeding.
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Talk to your Swedish physician if you have any of the listed warning signs.
Anticoagulants and antithrombotics, commonly known as blood thinners, are used for a variety of medical conditions. They are particularly useful in preventing strokes and heart attacks in many people. But they also can cause bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract, which can be life-threatening in rare cases.
If you take blood thinners regularly or have cardiovascular disease and may be prescribed thinners in the future, here are some important facts about these commonly prescribed medications and how they can affect your gastrointestinal tract.
Aspirin and NSAIDs: Aspirin is used to prevent strokes and heart attacks. Many people with heart disease take a daily dose of "baby" aspirin, about 81 milligrams. Most patients generally tolerate aspirin well, but even in small doses aspirin can irritate the intestinal lining and lead to bleeding. If you have a history of gastrointestinal bleeding, such as an ulcer, you should confirm with your doctor that it is safe to take aspirin. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, also can damage the GI tract and lead to bleeding. NSAIDs are commonly found in over-the-counter pain relievers and even cold medicine. Let your doctor know if you take any of these medicines.
Clopidogrel: This drug is most commonly taken by people who have had a heart attack and have a stent in one of the vessels supplying the heart muscle. Clopidogrel prevents the blood vessel and stent from becoming blocked again. It’s commonly used in combination with aspirin.
Warfarin: This is one of the most effective blood thinners. It requires special blood tests to ensure that the dosing is correct for each patient. Doctors prescribe warfarin for patients who have an abnormal heart rhythm called atrial fibrillation, an artificial heart valve or a history of stroke or blood clots. Serious bleeding can occur in the GI tract if the dose is too high, or if warfarin interacts poorly with other medications and some foods.
Novel anticoagulants: There are several new medications that are being used in place of warfarin to prevent blood clots in patients with irregular heart rhythms. These include rivaroxiban, apixiban and dabigatran. These medications don’t require regular blood testing. However, unlike warfarin, most of these drugs can’t be countered quickly if a patient has serious GI bleeding.
If you are taking a blood thinner, call your doctor right away or seek emergency treatment if you have these symptoms:
- Blood in stools
- Very dark stools that look like tar or shoe polish
- Vomiting blood
- Weakness
Anticoagulants and GI procedures
If you plan to have a GI procedure such as a colonoscopy or upper endoscopy, tell the doctor performing it if you are on blood-thinning medications. It’s now considered safe to undergo most GI procedures without stopping aspirin. But if you take warfarin, you will need to tell the doctor who prescribes it that you are having a procedure. He or she will instruct you on when to stop warfarin and if you need to take other medication in its place.
Patients usually need to stop taking other blood thinners two to seven days prior to a GI procedure. You should ask your doctor for specific instructions on when to stop your medications.
Find a doctor
If you have questions about the GI tract and using anticoagulants, contact the Gastroenterology Department at Swedish. We can accommodate both in-person and virtual visits.
Whether you require an in-person visit or want to consult a doctor virtually, you have options. Swedish Virtual Care connects you face-to-face with a nurse practitioner who can review your symptoms, provide instruction and follow up as needed. If you need to find a doctor, you can use our provider directory.
Join our Patient and Family Advisory Council.
This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.
