Dr. Richter on Novel Oral Anticoagulants

Joshua Richter, MD, hematologist/oncologist, multiple myeloma, John Theurer Cancer Center, discusses the use of novel oral anticoagulants for use in patients with hematologic malignancies.

Richter says although Lovenox is more effective at thinning patients’ blood than Coumadin, especially in patients with cancer, it presents some challenges. Lovenox requires patients to give themselves multiple injections, which can be difficult. Now, there are several oral Lovenox-type drugs to thin patients’ blood, Richter says.

However, there is no way to monitor their use and the effects of the drugs are irreversible. For example, this provides a problem for patients who undergo trauma, Richter says.