The treatment for a pulmonary embolism includes anticoagulant medications, which prevent additional clots from forming. Anticoagulants are also called blood thinners.

Anticoagulation therapy for pulmonary embolism:

• Oxygen therapy
• Heparin
• Low molecular weight heparin:
• Ardeparin (Normiflo)
• Dalteparin (Fragmin)
• Enoxaparin (Lovenox)
• Fondaparinux (Arixtra)
• Warfarin (Coumadin)

Additional treatment for a pulmonary embolism may include:

• Thrombolytic therapy for pulmonary embolism:
• Medication that breaks up clots in the bloodstream
• Surgery for pulmonary embolism
• Placement of a filter in the inferior vena cava, which prevents clots from moving from the legs to the lungs
• Pulmonary embolism clinical trials