human
My doctor says I need to start taking an anti-coagulant. What are anti-coagulants and what are the side effects?
assistant
Anti-coagulants are medications that help reduce the risk of blood clots forming in your body. They can be prescribed by your doctor if you have a condition called atrial fibrillation, which causes the heart to beat irregularly. Anti-coagulants may also be used for other conditions such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE). Side effects of anti-coagulants can include bruising, bleeding, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, headache, dizziness, fatigue, rash, itching, and changes in vision. If you experience any of these symptoms while taking anti-coagulants, contact your doctor immediately.