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Anticoagulation
Clinic
Brief Guide to Coumadin®
(warfarin) Anticoagulation Therapy
Coumadin® (warfarin)
has been ordered for you by your doctor to take at home. This
medication is an anticoagulant used to prevent harmful blood clots
from forming in the veins, arteries, and heart. Harmful blood clots
can cause a stroke ("brain attack") or a heart attack, among other
things.
It is important that patients have regular
laboratory tests performed. The primary test used during
anticoagulation therapy is the prothrombin time (Pro-Time) test.
This test is best reported as the INR. The INR allows the doctor and
pharmacist to monitor the patient's Coumadin®
(warfarin) therapy and make dosage adjustments if necessary.
While taking Coumadin®
(warfarin) it is very important that you:
- Always tell other doctors, dentists,
pharmacists, or nurses that you are on Coumadin®
(warfarin).
- Always have regular blood tests (PT-INR) to
check how quickly your blood is clotting.
- Discuss all medications (prescription,
over-the-counter, herbal) with your doctor and pharmacist. Many
drugs interact with Coumadin® (warfarin).
- Keep your eating habits and activities
similar every day.
- NEVER "double-up" on a dose to make up for
a missed dose. Keep a record of the missed dose and report it to
your doctor or pharmacist at the next visit. Call your doctor if
more than one dose is missed.
- Do not take any aspirin or
aspirin-containing products. Be sure to read labels carefully or
ask your pharmacist if there is any doubt.
- Avoid excessive amounts of alcohol. The
anticoagulant effect can be increased or decreased by the intake
of alcohol.
- Keep Coumadin®
(warfarin) out of the reach of children and pets.
- Do not take Coumadin®
(warfarin) if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
- Notify your doctor and pharmacist if other
medications are started or discontinued, or if any dosages are
changed.
- Always carry your identification card with
the correct name and dosage of your anticoagulant.
The most common side effect associated with
Coumadin® (warfarin) therapy is
bleeding. Watch for the following warning signs or events and call
your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following:
- A serious fall or hard bump to the head
- Bleeding that does not stop, either from a
cut or from your nose
- More bleeding than usual when brushing your
teeth
- More bleeding than usual during your
menstrual period or abnormal bleeding from the vagina
- A dark brown or reddish discoloration of
your urine
- Bloody, black, or tarry stools
- Unusual bruising
- Throwing up (vomiting) or coughing up
blood
- Fever, diarrhea, or infection
- Pain or swelling in your feet or legs
- Dizziness, trouble breathing, chest pain,
weakness or fatigue
- Numbness, confusion, unsteadiness when
walking
In case of emergency or if you
have questions, please call: 962-8893
Call 317-962-8893 to
schedule an appointment
Accepting new
patients...most insurance accepted!
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