What is the primary mechanism of action of anticoagulants?

The primary mechanism of action of anticoagulants is to inhibit the clotting cascade. This means that anticoagulants work by interfering with the biological processes that lead to the formation of blood clots. They target various factors in the coagulation pathway, which significantly reduces the ability of blood to clot. By impeding these mechanisms, anticoagulants prevent abnormal blood clot formation or the growth of existing clots, thereby reducing the risk of conditions such as deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and stroke.

In contrast, stimulating the immune system is unrelated to the role of anticoagulants, as this function pertains more to immunomodulators or vaccines. Promoting blood clotting directly opposes the purpose of anticoagulants, as their primary intent is to prevent clotting. Similarly, enhancing platelet aggregation is characteristic of pro-coagulant therapies and platelet activators, which also runs counter to the action of anticoagulants, whose goal is to limit coagulation and platelet function to manage thrombotic risks effectively.