Definition:
Coagulants are agents that promote blood clotting (coagulation) to prevent excessive bleeding.
They are used in situations where there is a deficiency in the blood's natural ability to form clots.
Mechanism of Action:
Vitamin K-Dependent Pathway:
Many coagulants, such as Menadione and Acetomenadione, act as synthetic forms of vitamin K.
Vitamin K is essential for the synthesis of certain clotting factors (II, VII, IX, and X) in the liver.
By supplementing vitamin K, coagulants enhance the production and functionality of these clotting factors, thereby facilitating the clotting process.
Common Coagulant Drugs:
Menadione (Vitamin K₃)
Acetomenadione
Uses:
Treating or preventing bleeding disorders caused by vitamin K deficiency.
Managing excessive bleeding in patients with liver disease or those on certain anticoagulant therapies.
Side Effects:
Allergic reactions
Hemolytic anemia in individuals with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency
Potential liver toxicity at high doses.