Warfarin has been a long-time go-to medication for blood thinners. However, a new study indicates that long-term use might do more harm than good.
This blood-thinning prescription is still a staple in the world of medication. However, new results render that it could increase dementia symptoms in some patients and should be avoided for long-term use, if possible.
According to Fox News – Health, researchers from the Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute — in Salt Lake City, Utah — have found that Warfarin could damage some of its users by long-term consumption. Over a duration of seven years, the research team observed over “10,537 adults with no history of dementia.” The team treated them with a Warfarin-type blood thinner. Some of these medical participants were also predisposed to atrial fibrillation and other medical factors.
Upon check up, the team’s research rendered that Warfarin users’ dementia results had increased across the board — more for the group with atrial fibrillation than those without the pre-existing condition. In addition, the source mentions as follows.
“But among both groups, researchers saw that dementia risk rose when Warfarin levels were consistently too high or too low, or were erratic — regardless of the reason for use.”
The source continued by saying that, in no matter the effectiveness of the Warfarin-like medication, patients with atrial fibrillation had higher rates of dementia, and the team suggests that “efficacy of the therapy is strongly linked with the condition.
Director of heart rhythm research Dr. T. Jared Bunch, at the aforementioned facility, mentions as follows.
“Our study results are the first to show that there are significant cognitive risk factors for patients treated with warfarin over a long period of time regardless of the indication for anticoagulation.”
Bunch is also the medical director for heart rhythm services in the Intermountain Healthcare system, says the source.
Yet, interestingly enough, the source notes that the Warfarin test results rendered that dementia possibilities increase in patients under 70 years of age, rather than over the age boundary.
The team also mentioned that doctors who prescribe drugs like Warfarin should be more selective in their choices. And, the patients should avoid additional aspirin when taking the aforementioned drugs — “which are thought to increase the effect of blood thinners,” as reports Fox News – Health. The source mentions that aspirin should only accompany Warfarin or other blood thinners if there’s a specific medical need for such a treatment.
Likewise, Bunch continued with the following advisory statement.
“In people that are on Warfarin in which the levels are erratic or difficult to control, switching to newer agents that are more predictable may lower risk.”
According to a CBS News report, patients who are in risk of blood clots and take Warfarin should routinely get their blood checked for Warfarin levels. Bunch mentions that the levels should be “therapeutic” — “high enough to prevent clots, but low enough to avoid internal bleeding,” says the doctor. Part of the reason a person needs to keep an eye on those levels is because they can change over time.
One of the more important aspects of preventative maintenance is a good diet and physical activity. However, if Warfarin is giving its user chronic problems, three alternatives are listed as follows:
- dabigatran (Pradaxa)
- rivaroxaban (Xarelto)
- and apixaban (Eliquis).
In case you’ve been unaware of the definition of dementia or its symptoms, the Alzheimer’s Association defines it as critical memory loss or the loss of other mental abilities that could affect daily life.
Specifically, the source mentions that it’s caused by physical changes to the brain. Some symptoms are:
- impaired communication
- poor judgment
- disorientation
- confusion
- behavior changes
- and difficulty speaking, swallowing and walking.
All in all, do you know someone who has been taking Warfarin in long-term use? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.
[Photo by Gabriella Demczuk/Getty Images News]
Warfarin New Study Indicates Increased Dementia In Some Patients is an article from: The Inquisitr News
Aucun commentaire:
Enregistrer un commentaire