Which medication is commonly prescribed as a blood thinner to prevent clots?

Heparin is a medication that plays a critical role in preventing the formation of blood clots. It is classified as an anticoagulant and works by inhibiting certain factors in the blood coagulation cascade, effectively thinning the blood and reducing the risk of clot formation. Heparin is often utilized in hospital settings, particularly for patients undergoing surgery or those who are at high risk for thrombotic events, such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE).

The other medications listed serve different purposes. Atorvastatin is primarily used to lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, Metformin is used to manage blood sugar levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes, and Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor used to treat hypertension and heart failure. These medications do not have anticoagulant properties and are not used for the prevention of blood clots, making Heparin the appropriate choice for this context.