New blood thinning drugs found to be significantly safer than warfarin

New research undertaken by scientists at Nottingham University has shown that new blood thinning drugs could be much safer than traditionally prescribed warfarin.

Warfarin is used for patients with atrial fibrillation and those at risk of heart attacks and strokes, but patients have to be closely monitored as the medication can cause bleeding in the stomach and brain.

This new study has found that direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are much less likely to cause bleeds.

The study involved nearly 200,000 patients taking DOACs or warfarin over a period of five years. Patients with atrial fibrillation taking DOACs were 60% less likely to suffer bleeding on the brain than those taking warfarin.

Lead author of the study Yana Vinogradova, said “It is very important that people should not stop taking their medication before seeing their GP.

“These medications are still quite new and so research is needed to continue to look at their safety.”

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Posted by Karen Motley, Paralegal, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (karenmotley@chadlaw.co.uk), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

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