Blood thinners: Can I still get blood clots?

If you’re taking a blood thinner, is it still possible to get a blood clot?

Answer From Rekha Mankad, M.D.

Yes. Medicines that are commonly called blood thinners greatly decrease your risk of blood clotting. But they don’t prevent blood clots completely. Blood thinners include:

• Aspirin.
• Warfarin (Jantoven).
• Dabigatran (Pradaxa).
• Rivaroxaban (Xarelto).
• Apixaban (Eliquis).
• Edoxaban (Savaysa).
• Heparin.

These medicines must be taken exactly as directed to work safely and effectively. Taking too little of these medicines might not be effective. Taking too much can lead to serious bleeding.

Also, blood thinners might not be able to lessen the strong blood-clotting tendency of an underlying disease, such as cancer.

Some medicines, food and alcohol can change the way blood thinners work. A blood thinner also can change the way other medicines work. For example, foods that are high in vitamin K can work against warfarin, but not other blood thinners.

If you take a blood thinner, be sure to follow your healthcare team’s advice on dosing. Ask about foods and other medicines that can interfere with how the blood thinner works. This includes those you buy without a prescription and herbal supplements.