What is a common side effect of anticoagulant therapy?

Anticoagulant therapy is commonly prescribed to prevent the formation of harmful blood clots in patients at risk for conditions such as deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, or stroke. The primary mechanism of anticoagulants is to inhibit various factors in the coagulation cascade, which prevents new clots from forming and existing clots from growing larger.

A well-documented side effect of this therapy is an increased risk of bleeding. This occurs because while anticoagulants are effective at reducing clot formation, their action can inadvertently affect normal hemostasis, leading to a greater likelihood of uncontrolled bleeding even from minor injuries, surgical sites, or spontaneously. Clinicians closely monitor patients on anticoagulants, using tools like INR (International Normalized Ratio) for vitamin K antagonists to ensure that the patient's blood coagulation levels remain within a safe therapeutic range.

Being aware of this side effect is crucial for both healthcare providers and patients to implement preventive measures, such as regular monitoring, immediate reporting of unusual bruising or bleeding, and providing education on precautions to reduce injury risk. Therefore, understanding the potential for increased bleeding is central to managing patients undergoing anticoagulant therapy effectively.