Quick safety checklist
Use this as a “pre-flight check” if you take warfarin or a DOAC (apixaban, rivaroxaban, dabigatran, edoxaban), or antiplatelets (aspirin, clopidogrel, etc.).
- Know your exact medication + dose and why you take it (AF, VTE/PE, valve, etc.).
- Tell every clinician/dentist you’re on an anticoagulant.
- Avoid NSAIDs unless your clinician specifically OKs it (ibuprofen/naproxen can increase bleeding).
- Do not double up if you miss a dose—follow the medicine-specific instructions.
- Carry a medication list and emergency contacts.
If bleeding: apply pressure
If head injury: urgent evaluation
If black stools: urgent evaluation
When to treat as an emergency
Call emergency services now for any of the following:
- Severe or uncontrolled bleeding
- Vomiting blood or “coffee-ground” material
- Black, tarry stools or large amounts of blood in stool/urine
- Severe headache, confusion, new weakness, seizure
- Any significant head trauma (even if you feel “fine”)
- Chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting
Use the EMERGENCY NUMBERS button in the top bar for country-specific numbers (opens a new tab).
Start here
Short, high-impact pages:
What this site covers
- Major bleeding vs nuisance bleeding
- Risk factors (age, kidney disease, ulcers, alcohol, etc.)
- Warfarin (INR) vs DOACs
- Drug + supplement interactions
- Reversal agents & emergency care basics
What this site does not do
- Replace your clinician’s advice
- Tell you to start/stop medications
- Provide individualized dosing
- Interpret your labs