Blood Thinning Medicine - Side Effects

I found that major side effects of blood thinning medicine include:

Gum bleeding
Blood in urine
Unexplained nosebleed
Bruises
Dark, sticky bloody stools
Coughing of coffee-ground-like substances
Severe headache
Vomiting
Confusion

If you experience any one of the above or feel unwell, do not hesitate to consult a doctor.

Dosage of blood thinning medicine needed may change over time, as INR fluctuates due to weight or diet. It is extremely important to maintain your INR therapeutic range, so as to avoid your blood from becoming too thin or thick.

If you have fever, diarrhea, vomiting for instance, please do visit a doctor as your blood may be thinner in these instances.

Also, you may look out for signs of obvious or internal bleeding, which include:

Unusual & extensive bruising & bleeding
Heavier / longer menstrual bleeding
Nosebleeds
Bleeding gum
red or dark color urine
red or black tarry stools
red or coffee ground-like vomit
Shortness of breath
Pain in chest / head / joints etc
Sudden onset of severe headache with/without nausea or confusion

It is best to consult a doctor if you feel unwell. Please do not attempt to self-medicate.

Personally, after 2 years of blood thinning treatment, I experienced hair loss. My hair also became coarser & more frizzy. My lips are often dry & chapped. There were also small, red spots appearing on my arms (often associated with blood clotting disorder), probably due to blood clotting activity being impaired by blood thinning treatment.

To reduce these side effects, I apply lip balm more regularly & use better hair moisturizing products.