Lifestyle » Health Link

New Blood Thinning Drug

By WKBW Programming
November 16, 2010 Updated Nov 16, 2010 at 6:49 PM EDT


(WKBW/ABC) Millions of Americans take a blood thinner to lower the risk of clots that can lead to strokes.

For decades that drug has been Coumadin, but patients on the drug have to undergo frequent blood tests because it can be dangerous if the level of the drug in your blood is too high or too low.

But soon, there may be an alternative. The drug, Xarelto is not yet approved for use in this country, but outside of the U.S., it is showing a lot of promise.

Researchers say the new drug has all of the benefits without the side effects.

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