Regulatory agencies like the U.S. FDA, European Medicines Agency (EMA), and WHO continuously monitor drug safety. If data shows a concerning pattern, they issue warnings or restrict use.
Here are examples of drugs associated with clotting risks — not banned, but used cautiously:
1. Hormonal Contraceptives (Especially Combined Pills)
Contain estrogen + progestin
Slightly increase risk of DVT/PE — highest in first year of use
📊 Risk: ~3–9 per 10,000 users/year (vs. ~2 in non-users)
✅ For most women, benefits outweigh risks
🚫 Higher risk if: smoker, over 35, obese, or have clotting disorders
🩺 Alternatives: Progesterone-only pills, IUDs, or non-hormonal methods
2. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
Used for menopausal symptoms.
Oral forms (pill) linked to higher clot risk than patches/gels.
📌 Transdermal HRT (through skin) appears safer for clotting.
3. Some Antipsychotics & Antidepressants
Clozapine, olanzapine, SSRIs like paroxetine
May affect platelet function or promote immobility-related clots
⚠️ Risk mainly in hospitalized or sedentary patients.
4. JAK Inhibitors (e.g., Tofacitinib, Baricitinib)
Prescribed for rheumatoid arthritis and autoimmune diseases.
FDA Boxed Warning:
Increased risk of serious heart events, blood clots, and death — especially in older adults who smoke or have heart disease.
✅ Still prescribed when benefits outweigh risks.
5. Certain Weight-Loss Drugs (Past & Present)
Historically, some appetite suppressants were withdrawn due to cardiovascular risks.
🟢 Newer drugs like semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) show cardiovascular benefit in trials — reduce heart events in diabetic patients.
⚠️ However, rapid weight loss itself can temporarily alter clotting factors — short-term caution advised post-surgery or during illness.
🌍 Recent Drug Withdrawals & Safety Actions
While few drugs are fully removed, some have faced restrictions:
Drug
Action Taken
✅ Rimonabant (weight-loss med)
Banned in EU due to depression/suicide risk — not clotting
✅ Rosiglitazone (diabetes drug)
Restricted due to heart attack concerns
✅ Cisapride (for reflux)
Removed due to heart rhythm issues — not clots
🔍 No widely used medication has been recently pulled specifically for clotting across multiple countries as of 2025 — but monitoring continues.
✅ Who Is at Higher Risk of Drug-Related Clots?
Certain factors increase vulnerability:
Risk Factor
Why It Matters
✅ Age over 60
Natural rise in clotting tendency
✅ Smoking
Damages blood vessels
✅ Obesity
Chronic inflammation and poor circulation
✅ Personal/family history of DVT/PE
Genetic clotting disorders (e.g., Factor V Leiden)
✅ Immobility (long flights, bed rest)
Sluggish blood flow
🩺 Doctors assess these before prescribing higher-risk meds.
