What is a Blood Thinner?

The Texas Heart Institute explains that a blood thinner is a prescription drug that is used to decrease the following:

* heart attack

* stroke

* blockages in arteries

* clumps of blood (blood clots) that are forming, growing

Blood thinners are described as anticoagulants, which, despite that they are called blood thinners, actually do not thin the blood, but rather "decrease the blood's ability to clot and decreased clotting keeps fewer harmful blood clots from forming and from blocking blood vessels," according to the Texas Heart Institute's Heart Information Center.

Candidates for blood thinners are usually individuals who have had the following conditions:

* heart valve replacement

* atrial fibrillation

* phlebitis

* congestive heart failure

* obesity

There is a lengthy list of potential harmful interactions that can threaten an individual's health while taking blood thinners. The following are a list of medications that should be discussed prior to consuming a blood thinner or prior to beginning a blood thinner prescription.

* acetaminophens

* aspirin

* antacids

* corticosteroids

* antidepressants

* antihistamines

* sleeping pills

* ibuprofen

* naproxen

* ketoprofen

* antiarrhythmics

* calcium and vitamin K supplements

* certain antifungal medicines

* overactive thyroid medicines

* convulsion medicines

* certain antibiotics

While calcium and additional vitamin K supplements have been know to interact mildly with blood thinners, according to the study from the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, the combination can be deadly inactivating the "enzyme essential for the activity" of a blood thinner.

During the study, Plavix, a type of blood thinner, was used during testing, but there are an array of blood thinners available on the market today, some of which include the following, according to WebMD:

* Heparin

* Lovenox

* Fragmin

* Plavix

* Coumadin

Of these types of blood thinners, is the rather controversial Heparin, also known as heparin sodium, which was released in 1972 from Baxter Healthcare Corporation.

In 2007 the drug had reportedly caused severe health and allergic reactions among hundreds of patients across the United States. According to news reports, the tainted Heparin was derived from a manufacturing plant in China, which quickly became the center for an international investigation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

While the injectable drug was being used in thousands of surgical procedures, including dialysis and heart surgery, patients were becoming sick with the following reactions:

* vomiting

* excessive sweating

* rapidly falling blood pressure

* nausea

* difficulty breathing

* shock

* death

Blood Thinner Side Effects

It is imperative that patients, as well as family and friends of a Baxter Heparin patient, contact a medical professional immediately upon signs and symptoms of the tainted Baxter Heparin.

Although sales were halted of the drug, many individuals who previously received the drug during a surgical procedure are still able to become involved in a Heparin class action lawsuit for the potential harm that might have been caused to one's health. It may be necessary to speak with an experienced pharmaceutical lawyer who can provide assistance on a potential Baxter Heparin class action lawsuit.

Copyright (c) 2008 Katie Kelley