Blood thinners are life-saving medications for millions managing heart disease, strokes, and other clotting disorders.
However, the high cost of these medications can force patients into difficult situations. Skipping doses or rationing pills due to cost can have severe consequences, including increased risk of clot formation, hospitalizations, or worse. The financial burden often leaves patients feeling trapped, unable to afford their prescriptions but too scared to go without them.
Prescription Assistance Programs (PAPs) are designed to address this shortfall, providing the financial help needed to access essential medications without the worry of cost. Through a prescription drugs discount plan, they help patients stay on track with their prescribed regimen, ensuring better health outcomes.
Find out how blood thinners work, why skipping them is never an option, and how PAPs can be of assistance.
What Are Blood Thinners and How Do They Work?
Blood thinners are medications that help prevent blood clots from forming or growing larger. They are essential for patients at risk of conditions such as heart attacks, strokes, and deep vein thrombosis.
Blood thinners don’t actually “thin” the blood; instead, they target specific pathways in the body’s clotting process.
There are two main types of blood thinners: anticoagulants and antiplatelets. Each type works differently to manage clot formation.
1. Anticoagulants
Anticoagulants, like Warfarin, Eliquis, and Xarelto, work by interfering with proteins in the blood that are necessary for clotting. They slow down the overall clotting process, making it harder for the blood to form clots that can block arteries or veins.
Warfarin, one of the oldest and most commonly used anticoagulants, requires regular blood testing to ensure it is working effectively. Newer options like Eliquis and Xarelto offer similar protection without the need for frequent monitoring, making them more convenient for many patients.
2. Antiplatelets
Antiplatelets, such as aspirin and Plavix, prevent platelets from clumping together and forming clots. They are often used in patients with a history of heart attacks or strokes or those with stents placed in their arteries.
By preventing platelets from sticking together, antiplatelets reduce the chance of clots forming in narrowed or compromised blood vessels.
Consequences of Missing Your Blood Thinner Medication
Failing to take blood thinners as prescribed can lead to serious health risks, especially for those with conditions that predispose them to clot formation.
Here’s what happens in the body when you skip or reduce your dosage:
Increased Risk of Blood Clots
Without the protective effects of blood thinners, your body’s natural clotting process goes unchecked, significantly increasing the chances of clots forming in your arteries or veins. Clots can obstruct blood flow, leading to dangerous outcomes like heart attacks, strokes, or deep vein thrombosis.
Worsening of Preexisting Conditions
Patients with conditions such as atrial fibrillation, mechanical heart valves, or previous clotting incidents are at higher risk of complications when blood thinners are not taken correctly. Without proper medication, these conditions can worsen, making the body more vulnerable to severe events.
Increased Hospitalizations and Health Complications
Skipping blood thinners can result in emergencies requiring immediate medical intervention, including surgery, hospital stays, and long-term health consequences. The cost of managing complications often outweighs the price of staying on prescribed medication.
Reasons Behind the High Cost of Blood Thinners
Blood thinners are vital for preventing life-threatening conditions, but their high cost often creates financial barriers for patients. Understanding why these medications are so expensive can help highlight the value of programs that assist in making them more affordable.
Research and Development (R&D) Costs
Developing a new blood thinner requires extensive research, clinical trials, and regulatory approvals, which can take years and cost billions of dollars. Pharmaceutical companies invest heavily in R&D to ensure the safety and efficacy of these medications.
Unfortunately, the costs are often passed on to consumers in the form of higher prices to recoup the initial investment.
Advanced Formulations and Manufacturing
Blood thinners, especially newer anticoagulants like Eliquis and Xarelto, are complex medications with sophisticated formulations.
The manufacturing process must meet strict quality controls to guarantee the drug’s effectiveness and safety. Such complexity drives up production costs, which are then reflected in the medication’s final price.
Lack of Generic Alternatives
Many blood thinners, especially newer ones, are protected by patents, preventing cheaper generic versions from entering the market. Patents grant manufacturers exclusive rights to produce and sell the medication for a set period, often leading to high prices due to a lack of competition.
High Demand and Chronic Use
Blood thinners are often prescribed for long-term or lifetime use, particularly for chronic conditions like atrial fibrillation. High demand, combined with the need for continuous therapy, keeps prices elevated as manufacturers capitalize on the essential nature of these drugs.
How Prescription Assistance Programs Can Help You Purchase Blood Thinners
Prescription Assistance Programs (PAPs) are a valuable resource for patients struggling to afford their blood thinner medications. Sponsored by pharmaceutical companies, non-profits, or state agencies, they are designed to reduce or eliminate the cost of medications for eligible patients.
PAPs offer significant discounts to patients who qualify, greatly reducing out-of-pocket expenses. Since they provide financial assistance, PAPs help bridge the gap between high medication costs and what patients can afford, allowing them to maintain their prescribed treatment without financial strain.
Programs are available for both insured and uninsured patients, with varying eligibility requirements based on income, insurance status, and medical needs. As a result, more patients can receive the life-saving medications they require.
Common Blood Thinners Covered by PAPs
- Warfarin: This widely used anticoagulant is one of the most covered medications due to its long-standing use in preventing clots in conditions like atrial fibrillation and artificial heart valves.
- Xarelto: Known for its convenience, Xarelto doesn’t require regular blood monitoring, making it a preferred choice for many.
- Eliquis: With a favorable safety profile and fewer dietary restrictions, Eliquis is a commonly prescribed option that offers stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation.
- Pradaxa: As a direct thrombin inhibitor, Pradaxa is covered for patients needing stroke prevention and treatment of deep vein thrombosis.
Get Prescription Drugs Discounts and Benefits with Health Access Now
Are high costs keeping you from taking your prescribed blood thinners? PAPs can offer the support you need.
If you’re paying more than $50 a month per medication, Health Access Now can help you qualify for discounted prices by applying for benefits from non-profits and government programs on your behalf.
Contact us or visit our website to check if your medications qualify for assistance in your state, and we’ll guide you through every step of the process.