11 Medications That May Cause Blood Clots

Hormone-based medications that include estrogen increase your risk for blood clots. Blood clots are formed by blood sticking together in a clump (clot). According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, estimates suggest that as many as 900,000 people may experience blood clots each year, with up to 90,000 deaths resulting from blood clots. Read on for more information about 11 medications that may cause blood clots.

What medications may cause blood clots?

Hormone-based medications which contain estrogen pose the greatest risk for blood clots. These medications are prescribed to prevent pregnancy, regulate menstrual periods, or replace hormones during and after menopause. Examples of these medications may include:

• Caziant
• Cryselle-28
• Desogestrel/Ethinyl Estradiol (Generic Apri, Azurette,Kariva)
• Drospirenone/Ethinyl Estradiol (Generic Gianvi, Ocella, Yasmin, Yaz, Zarah)
• Drospirenone/Ethinyl Estradiol/Levomefolate Calcium (Generic Beyaz,Safyral )
• Ethynodiol Diacetate/Ethinyl Estradiol (Generic Kelnor, Zovia)
• Levonorgestrel/Ethinyl Estradiol (Generic Aviane, Levora, Lutera, Portia,Trivora, Velivet)
• Low-Ogestrel
• Norgestimate/Ethinyl Estradiol (Generic Estarylla, Previfem)
• Norethindrone Acetate/Ethinyl Estradiol (Generic Junel, Microgestin)
• Nortrel

This is a partial list only. Other hormone-based medications may increase your risk of blood clots. Speak with your health care provider, or pharmacist about your risk of blood clots due to hormone based medications.

What problems can blood clots cause?

Blood clots can lead to serious health conditions, and even death. Blood clots may cause complications including: Deep Vein Thrombosis Kidney Failure Pulmonary Embolism

Symptoms of Blood Clots

The symptoms of a blood clot may mimic other illness and health conditions. However, the following symptoms of blood clots should never be ignored. If you experience any symptoms of a blood clot, contact your health care provider immediately, or seek emergency medical care.

• Swelling, soreness, warmth, or sharp pains in arm or leg
• Changes in vision
• Seizures
• Changes in sensation in your face, arms, legs, or one side of your body
• Shortness of breath
• Fainting
• Dizziness
• Chest pain extending down the left arm
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Blood in stool or vomit
• Sharp chest pains
• Bloody cough
• Rapid pulse
• Difficulty breathing

Talk to Your Health Care Provider About Risks

Today’s hormone-based medications contain less estrogen than older oral contraceptives. This means the risk of developing a blood clot as the result of hormone-based medication is quite low. But you should always talk to your health care provider about the risks of developing a blood clot, particularly if you have any history of clotting disorders or other underlying conditions.