Nosebleeds and blood thinners (anticoagulant medication)

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Nosebleeds and blood thinners (anticoagulant medication)

Blood thinners (anticoagulants) include heparin, warfarin (Coumadin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), dalteparin (Fragmin), and aspirin. Anticoagulants increase the time it takes for a blood clot to form and are often used to treat the following health conditions:

Transient ischemic attack (TIA)
Stroke
A clot in a deep vein (deep vein thrombosis)
Blood clot in the lung (pulmonary embolus)
Abnormal heart rhythm (atrial fibrillation)
Artificial heart valve

Since blood thinners increase the time it takes for blood to clot, nosebleeds may be more difficult to control in people who take blood thinners. A nosebleed may be the first sign that the medication dosage is too high.

If you are taking a blood thinner and a nosebleed occurs, see how to stop a nosebleed. If the nosebleed does not stop, or a nosebleed stops but then begins again, call your health professional to discuss your symptoms.

Credits

Author	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Editor	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor	Tracy Landauer
Primary Medical Reviewer	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Charles M. Myer, III, MD - Otolaryngology
Last Updated	April 20, 2007

Last updated:	April 20, 2007
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, Charles M. Myer, III, MD - Otolaryngology
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer

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