How long do blood thinners take to clear a blood clot in the lungs?

Depends: Depends on the size, location and the general health of the individual and what medications the patient is placed on. Heparin is the gold standard but may be changing. There are many anti-coagulants. Coumadin (warfarin) is the mainstay for outpatient treatment. Newer meds may replace it for many reasons. Many clots are dissolved in 2-4 weeks.

They don't. : Blood thinners actually do not clear blood clots in the body, whether in the legs or the lungs. The body itself actually breaks down the clot slowly over time. The purpose of the blood thinners is to actually prevent the progression or spread of the clot and keep it from being able to get any worse, allowing the body to start to dissolve it itself. It usually takes 6-9 months for this to occur.