Does aspercreme thin your blood? (+5 factors)

In this article, we will discuss whether Aspercreme has any effect on blood thinning. We will also explore the factors that may influence blood thinning while taking Aspercreme, as well as the drugs that can be used to treat blood thinning.

Does Aspercreme thin your blood?

Aspercreme may cause blood thinning; however, this is not its primary effect, as Aspercreme belongs to local anaesthetics that typically have no impact on coagulation pathways.

Blood thinning is usually a characteristic of medications that act on the coagulation pathways, such as Rivaroxaban or Heparin. Nevertheless, some research studies have demonstrated a potential for Aspercreme to delay or modulate coagulation in certain individuals, leading to mild blood thinning (1).

It’s important to note that this blood-thinning effect is generally mild and does not have serious consequences at optimum doses.

What does research suggest?

According to a research study, Aspercreme exhibits dose-dependent effects on blood thinning. The study demonstrates that at lower concentrations of 0.3%, this medication is observed to cause a delay in the coagulation process (3).

However, as the concentration doubles, the medication halts hemostasis, increasing the risk of bleeding. Another study supports the finding that Aspercreme is known to impair coagulation (4).

What factors may influence blood thinning while taking Aspercreme?

While the blood-related side effects of Aspercreme are less common, there are some factors that may increase the risk of blood thinning with Aspercreme. These factors may include:

Individual sensitivity Individual sensitivity to aspercreme or genetic susceptibility may play an important role, in the occurrence of various side effects that are usually uncommon with aspercreme.
Concurrent medications The concurrent use of aspercreme with other medications, such as Heparin, Clopidogrel, Meloxicam, or, Cymbalta could potentially elevate the risk of blood thinning.
Underlying medical conditions Underlying medical conditions, particularly those affecting coagulation or cardiovascular health, might contribute to an increased susceptibility to blood-thinning effects while using aspercreme.
Higher dosage A higher dosage of Aspercreme is more likely to cause blood thinning compared to low doses, as indicated by research studies.
Duration The prolonged duration of treatment with Aspercreme may also increase the risk of blood thinning and other blood-related side effects associated with Aspercreme.

What to do if Aspercreme thins blood?

If you suspect that Aspercreme is causing blood thinning and you notice signs of bleeding or other worrisome symptoms, such as nosebleeds, prolonged bleeding from cuts, or blood in the urine or stool, it’s crucial to reach out to your healthcare provider. They will evaluate your symptoms, identify potential causes, and address any underlying risk factors.

If Aspercreme is determined to be the primary cause of blood-related side effects, including thinning, your healthcare provider may recommend discontinuing the medication. They might also propose alternative medications to manage your pain while minimizing such side effects.

Which medications can be used to treat blood thinning?

Several medications are known to reverse or manage the anticoagulant effects of medications. Here is a list of some common medications that are known to manage blood thinning (4,5):

Tranexamic acid This medication is an antifibrinolytic agent and is used to prevent excessive bleeding in certain conditions
Desmopressin It can stimulate the release of clotting factors and is used in some bleeding disorders.
Vitamin K In cases of over-anticoagulation with medications, it may be administered to reverse the anticoagulant effects.
Prothrombin complex concentrates  It is a blood product containing clotting factors that can be used in emergencies to reverse the effects of anticoagulants.
Fresh frozen plasma It is another blood product that contains various clotting factors and may be used to treat bleeding disorders or over-anticoagulation.

In my experience

In my experience, I have never encountered any patients in a clinical setting experiencing blood thinning after using Aspercreme. If you are facing such a side effect, it is crucial to seek medical advice based on your individual condition before making any changes to your treatment plan.

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References

1.-

Beecham GB, Nessel TA, Goyal A. Lidocaine. [Updated 2022 Dec 11]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539881/

2.-

Scarlatescu E, Marchenko SP, Tomescu DR. Lidocaine effects on coagulation assessed by whole blood rotational thromboelastometry. Blood Coagul Fibrinolysis. 2021 Mar 1;32(2):115-121. doi: 10.1097/MBC.0000000000001002. PMID: 33443924. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33443924

3.-

Tobias MD, Pilla MA, Rogers C, Jobes DR. Lidocaine inhibits blood coagulation: implications for epidural blood patch. Anesth Analg. 1996 Apr;82(4):766-9. doi: 10.1097/00000539-199604000-00016. PMID: 8615495. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8615495/

4.-

Khawar H, Kelley W, Stevens JB, et al. Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP) [Updated 2022 Sep 19]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK513347/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK513347/

5.-

Schulman S. Pharmacologic tools to reduce bleeding in surgery. Hematology Am Soc Hematol Educ Program. 2012;2012:517-21. doi: 10.1182/asheducation-2012.1.517. PMID: 23233628. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23233628/