{"id":632644,"date":"2025-06-25T10:27:20","date_gmt":"2025-06-25T14:27:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=632644"},"modified":"2026-01-26T12:20:18","modified_gmt":"2026-01-26T17:20:18","slug":"double-dose-of-blood-thinner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/double-dose-of-blood-thinner\/","title":{"rendered":"What happens if you take a double dose of blood thinner?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Blood thinners<\/span><\/a> can be life-saving medicines\u2014and that\u2019s no exaggeration. They significantly decrease the risk of blood clots, helping prevent heart attacks, strokes, pulmonary embolism, clogged blood vessels, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and more. So for people prone to clotting, it\u2019s vital to take them regularly and in the correct dosage.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What happens, however, if you accidentally take more than directed? It\u2019s uncommon, but certainly possible, and could have potentially serious effects. But don\u2019t worry. Below, we\u2019ve outlined what to do if you take a double dose of blood thinners, what to look out for, when to seek help, plus advice on how to avoid it in the first place.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What are some common blood thinners?<\/span><\/h2>\n

More than eight million Americans take blood thinners, according to the National Blood Clot Alliance, so they\u2019re a fairly common medication. Because they can help prevent so many serious conditions, doctors write millions of prescriptions for them every year. Some of the most popular ones include <\/span>warfarin<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Xarelto<\/span><\/a> (rivaroxaban), <\/span>Arixtra<\/span><\/a> (fondaparinux), <\/span>Eliquis<\/span><\/a> (apixaban), <\/span>Plavix<\/span><\/a> (clopidogrel), <\/span>heparin<\/span><\/a>, and aspirin.<\/span>
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\n<\/span>There are two different types of blood thinners: anticoagulants and antiplatelets. Anticoagulant medicines like warfarin or Xarelto reduce the formation of fibrin, a protein that assists in blood clotting. Antiplatelets like Plavix or aspirin, meanwhile, work by making blood platelets less likely to stick together. Both can be effective in preventing clots, but a healthcare professional will choose one or the other based on the patient\u2019s specific condition, medical history, other drugs, and risk factors.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What happens if you take a double dose of a blood thinner?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Whether you missed a dose and tried to make up for it, or accidentally took two pills instead of one, realizing you\u2019ve taken a double dose can be startling. But it\u2019s important not to panic. \u201cIn most cases, not much will happen if you mistakenly take a double dose,\u201d says <\/span>Dr. Karishma Patwa, MD<\/span><\/a>, a cardiologist with Manhattan Cardiology and contributor to <\/span>www.labfinder.com<\/span><\/a>. Although, \u201cyou should monitor yourself for signs of bleeding or any change in symptoms, such as headaches.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The most prevalent consequence is a higher risk of bleeding, including internal bleeding, which can be quite dangerous. <\/span>Other symptoms may include<\/span><\/a>:<\/span><\/p>\n