Clexane is primarily used to prevent blood clots and to treat certain heart conditions.
Preventing Blood Clots
Clexane's main function is to prevent existing clots from getting bigger and to stop new ones from forming. This is crucial in several situations:
- Post-Hospital Procedures: After surgeries or other hospital procedures, the risk of blood clots is increased, and Clexane helps to mitigate this.
- Following Illness: If you've been ill and your movement is restricted, your risk of clots increases. Clexane is used to prevent these.
Treating Heart Problems
Clexane is also used in the treatment of specific heart conditions:
- Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): Clexane can be used to treat DVT which is when a blood clot forms in a deep vein, usually in the leg.
- Unstable Angina: A type of chest pain where the heart isn't getting enough blood. Clexane is used alongside aspirin to address the condition.
- Heart Attack: Clexane is used with aspirin to manage heart attacks.
How Clexane Works
Clexane belongs to a class of medications called anticoagulants, often referred to as 'blood thinners'. However, it doesn’t actually thin the blood, instead it reduces the blood's clotting ability. By doing this it:
- Inhibits the clotting process by targeting specific proteins in the blood.
- Reduces the likelihood of clots forming in blood vessels.
- Helps to dissolve clots, which can improve blood flow and minimise potential health complications.
Summary
In summary, Clexane is a versatile medication used to prevent and treat blood clots, with specific applications following hospital procedures or illness, as well as in the treatment of heart problems like unstable angina, heart attack and DVT, particularly when used with aspirin.
