What is a potential side effect of anticoagulant medications?

Anticoagulant medications are designed to prevent blood clotting and reduce the risk of thromboembolic events such as strokes or heart attacks. However, a key side effect associated with their use is an increased risk of bleeding. This happens because anticoagulants impact the blood's ability to clot by interfering with the coagulation cascade, which is crucial for stopping bleeding. By prolonging the time it takes for blood to clot, these medications can lead to spontaneous bleeding or excessive bleeding from minor injuries. Monitoring patients on anticoagulants for signs of bleeding, such as unusual bruising, gastrointestinal bleeding, or hematuria, is a vital part of clinical practice to ensure patient safety and appropriate management of the medication.