<human>: My doctor says I need to start taking an anti-coagulant. What are anti-coagulants and what are the side effects?
<bot>: Anti-coagulants are medications that help prevent blood clots from forming. They are used to treat or prevent a variety of conditions, including heart disease, stroke, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and pulmonary embolism (PE). Common side effects may include bleeding, bruising, nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, and rash. It is important to follow your doctor's instructions for taking this medication exactly as prescribed.