At last, an alternative to taking rat poison: The side effects of blood-thinner warfarin bring misery to thousands …

By Roz Lewis

PUBLISHED: 16:00 EST, 4 May 2013 | UPDATED: 16:00 EST, 4 May 2013

For the thousands of Britons who suffer life-threatening blood clots, warfarin is a lifeline.

However, the potent 65-year-old drug is made from the same chemicals found in rat poison, and some users need to be monitored at a GP surgery up to three times a week.

They can also suffer dramatic side effects, including spontaneous heavy bruising, internal bleeding and hair loss.

Tough times: Deep-vein thrombosis sufferer Hannah Rogers, 34, from Chelmsford, suffered a number of side effects from warfarin, including her hair falling out

But now a new range of blood-thinning drugs that eliminate the need for regular testing has been given NHS approval for patients who suffer a deep-vein thrombosis (DVT), the often dangerous blood clots that develop in the legs and pelvis.

Rivaroxaban, Dabigatran and Apixaban have the same benefits as warfarin but do not have such severe and unpredictable side effects.

For Hannah Rogers, 34, from Chelmsford, Essex, taking Rivaroxaban is a welcome relief, especially as warfarin made her hair fall out.

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At last, an alternative to taking rat poison: The side effects of blood-thinner warfarin bring misery to thousands ...