Treating Blood Clots

Blood clots are very dangerous. If you have a blood clot, you need to get help right away. Here are some ways blood clots are treated.

Blood Thinners

Blood thinners are the most common way to treat blood clots. They decrease the ability of blood to clot. Blood thinners are also called anticoagulation drugs, or anticoagulants. Here are some of them:

• Enoxaparin (Lovenox®) is taken as a shot 1 or 2 times per day.
• Heparin (Calciparine® or Liquaemin®) is taken as a shot or by IV. Your doctor will keep an eye on the dose to prevent bleeding problems.
• Warfarin (Coumadin®) is swallowed. The foods you eat can affect the level of warfarin in your blood. Your doctor will keep an eye on the dose to prevent bleeding problems and to make sure the Coumadin in your blood is at a high enough level.

Some doctors think some people with PNH who are more at risk of blood clots should take blood thinners to prevent clots; others disagree.

tPAs (Tissue Plasminogen Activators)

tPAs may be used to break up an existing blood clot, especially if the clot is large. These drugs usually work only in the first 48 hours after a clot. They can cause bleeding.

Soliris

Studies have shown that Eculizumab (Soliris®) can also reduce the risk of blood clots.

Other Drugs

Some drugs, such as aspirin and ibuprofen, stop platelets from working well. This can help stop blood clots. But doctors don't know how well they prevent or treat clots in people with PNH. Take these drugs only if your doctor says you should.