Does anticoagulant medication help pulmonary embolism?

Yes: Anticoagulation medications are used to treat pulmonary embolism. Initially heparin, Lovenox or fondapriunux may be given. Coumadin (warfarin) (wararin) is used for several months to help prevent new clots. Some patients who cannot receive anticoagulation medication may require surgery to remove the clot or the placement of filters to trap clots.

Yes: A pulmonary embolism is a blood clot that blocks a blood vessel in the lung. Anticoagulant medication is used to stop your body from making more blood clots. The anticoagulant medication has no effect on the blood clot that is already in the lung but it is important to take the anticoagulant medication because it is possible to keep making blood clots that embolize and become fatal.

Yes...: Anticoagulant medication allows the clot to be healed by the body's intrinsic system while at the same time, preventing new clot from forming. If anticoagulants are started before a clot forms, it helps to prevent any clot formation. The main side effect of these meds is bleeding.