Treatment and Prevention
The treatment for thromboembolism (blood clot embolism) involves anticoagulant
or thrombolytic medications. Anticoagulants prevent further clotting and thrombolytics
help the body to dissolve the original clot.
The anticoagulants called heparin* or warfarin are the main medications given
for pulmonary embolism. They can also be given to people with DVT to prevent
the condition. If you have DVT, you may be prescribed heparin by injection or
warfarin by mouth. Both can also protect against stroke.
*All medications have both common (generic) and brand names. The brand name
is what a specific manufacturer calls the product (e.g., Tylenol®).
The common name is the medical name for the medication (e.g., acetaminophen).
A medication may have many brand names, but only one common name. This article
lists medications by their common names. For more information on brand names,
speak with your doctor or pharmacist.