Final answer:
The most common anticoagulant used is heparin, with warfarin also widely prescribed. Newer options like rivaroxaban, dabigatran, and apixaban are frequently used due to their ease of use and reduced need for monitoring.
Step-by-step explanation:
The most common type of anticoagulant used is heparin for its immediate effects and is often given intravenously in hospitals. Another widely prescribed anticoagulant is warfarin (Coumadin), which is used for long-term treatment. Newer drugs such as rivaroxaban (Xarelto), dabigatran (Pradaxa), and apixaban (Eliquis) are also commonly used and have the advantage of requiring less frequent monitoring than warfarin.
These medications work by various mechanisms to prevent the formation of blood clots by inhibiting different factors in the coagulation cascade, helping to maintain blood flow and prevent complications such as stroke or heart attack in patients at risk.