Doctors generally use blood-thinning (anticoagulant) medications, such as warfarin (Coumadin), heparin or low molecular weight heparin to treat people who develop blood clots.
If genetic tests have confirmed that you have a factor V mutation, but you haven't had any blood clots, then your doctor probably won't routinely prescribe blood thinners unless you're in a high-risk situation, such as being hospitalized for surgery or other medical reasons. In that case, you may receive preventive doses of blood thinners during your hospital stay.
If you have a blood clot, standard initial treatment involves a combination of heparin and warfarin. Your doctor will discontinue the heparin after the initial treatment and continue the warfarin. How long you need to take medication will depend on the circumstances of your thrombosis.
Drugs that help with treatment are:
-Heparin
-Warfarin
-Dabigatran
-Rivaroxaban
Does your lifestyle have to change because of FV?
Factor V Leiden could affect your life depending on how severe you have the disease. If you have just the normal case of this disease you should avoid:
-Uninterrupted long car or airline trips
-Prolonged bed rest, such as during a long illness, or paralysis.
-Injury or surgery
-Oral contraceptives or estrogen replacement therapy
-Being overweight or obese.
If your factor V Leiden requires you to take anticoagulant medication, here are some steps that might help prevent injury and avoid excessive bleeding. Consider these suggestions:
If genetic tests have confirmed that you have a factor V mutation, but you haven't had any blood clots, then your doctor probably won't routinely prescribe blood thinners unless you're in a high-risk situation, such as being hospitalized for surgery or other medical reasons. In that case, you may receive preventive doses of blood thinners during your hospital stay.
If you have a blood clot, standard initial treatment involves a combination of heparin and warfarin. Your doctor will discontinue the heparin after the initial treatment and continue the warfarin. How long you need to take medication will depend on the circumstances of your thrombosis.
Drugs that help with treatment are:
-Heparin
-Warfarin
-Dabigatran
-Rivaroxaban
Does your lifestyle have to change because of FV?
Factor V Leiden could affect your life depending on how severe you have the disease. If you have just the normal case of this disease you should avoid:
-Uninterrupted long car or airline trips
-Prolonged bed rest, such as during a long illness, or paralysis.
-Injury or surgery
-Oral contraceptives or estrogen replacement therapy
-Being overweight or obese.
If your factor V Leiden requires you to take anticoagulant medication, here are some steps that might help prevent injury and avoid excessive bleeding. Consider these suggestions:
- Avoid playing contact sports or engaging in other activities that could be result in physical injury. However, regular noncontact exercise, such as walking or swimming, is still recommended for good health.
- Use a soft toothbrush and waxed floss.
- Avoid shaving cuts by using an electric razor.
- Be cautious with household tasks involving knives, scissors and other sharp tools.