Coagulants and anticoagulants: what are they, what is the difference, application

Blood clotting is a multistage process, which ensures the full vital activity of the body. Deviation of its indicator from the norm leads to the rapid formation of blood clots or increased bleeding. In this case, depending on the results of the coagulogram, the patient is prescribed coagulants or anticoagulants. What these drugs are.

Hemostatic agents

Hemostatic medications are used to stop bleeding. Depending on the mechanism of action, all hemostatics are divided into 3 groups:

• fibrinolysis inhibitors (antifibrinolytics);
• Drugs that reduce vascular permeability;
• coagulant agents (coagulants).

In turn, drugs that accelerate blood clotting are divided into two types.

Systemic:

• indirect action: sodium bisulfite menadione, phytomenadione;
• direct action: eptacog alpha, prothrombin complex concentrate.

Topical:

• Gelatin-based preparations;
• oxidized cellulose;
• thrombin;
• chitosan;
• smectin;
• kaolin.

Coagulants are indicated in the following cases:

• need to stop external and internal bleeding,
• prevention of bleeding during pregnancy;
• preparation for surgical intervention.

Drugs that thin the blood

Anticoagulant drugs are used to reduce blood clotting. They are needed to prevent the formation of blood clots in blood vessels and in the heart, which carry a serious threat to human health. Doctors also use anticoagulants to dissolve existing blood clots.

Anticoagulants have a number of indications for use:

• Arterial or venous thrombosis;
• Condition after stroke, myocardial infarction, or transient ischemic attack;
• hemorrhoids with blood clots;
• Atherosclerotic vascular injuries;
• period of rehabilitation after implantation of artificial heart valves;
• persistent atrial fibrillation (nonrhythmic heart function) ;
• pulmonary embolism.

Contraindications of these drugs:

• hemorrhages;
• aneurysms;
• Ulcers of the gastrointestinal tract;
• lack of lactose;
• liver and kidney disease;
• impaired glucose and galactose absorption.

Anticoagulants should not be taken simultaneously with the following drugs: Cimetidine, Penicillin, Aspirin, etc. Ask your doctor about drug compatibility.

Anticoagulants fall into two categories:

• direct action - blocking direct clotting factors in the blood plasma at the final stage of the coagulation cascade, leading to clot formation;
• indirect action - inhibition of the formation of vitamin K in the liver, necessary for the synthesis of factors that contribute to blood clotting.

Depending on the main component, indirect anticoagulants are divided into two types:

1. Indandion-based.
2. Coumarin-based. The main component of these drugs is of plant origin and is extracted in laboratory conditions.

Due to the risk of adverse reactions, treatment with this group of medications is carried out under the constant supervision of the doctor. The use of a large number of anticoagulants, for whatever reason, leads to a disturbance of blood clotting and the development of bleeding.

Based on the above, we can conclude that the difference between coagulants and anticoagulants lies in the effect on the blood clotting process. Coagulants help to thicken the liquid medium, while anticoagulants prevent the formation of blood clots.